User terminals, Spectrum and Signals Officer

Vacancy in the Directorate of Connectivity and Secure Communications.

ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore we welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.

This post is classified A2-A4 on the Coordinated Organisations' salary scale.

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands with a resident assignment to Brussels, Belgium.

Description

User terminals - Spectrum and Signals Officer in IRIS2 Integrated Programme Team in Secure Connectivity Programme Department in the Directorate of Connectivity and Secure Communications.

On 15 March 2023, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union adopted Regulation (EU) 2023/588 establishing the Union Secure Connectivity Programme for the period 2023–2027.

The objective of the EU Secure Connectivity Programme is to deploy an EU satellite constellation, IRIS2 (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite). The Programme will provide an EU satellite-based, multiorbital communication infrastructure for governmental use while integrating and complementing existing and future national and European capacities in the framework of the GOVSATCOM component of the EU Space Programme.

The ESA Programme related to EU Secure Connectivity is intended to support the effective development and validation of the EU Secure Connectivity (IRIS2) governmental infrastructure, which is to be developed, deployed and operated under a concession contract signed by the EU with a private consortium, and the services provided by it, as well as the validation and demonstration of services based on the commercial infrastructure developed by the contractors delivering the EU Secure Connectivity governmental infrastructure.

The European Commission and ESA will set up an Integrated Programme Team (IPT) to manage the EU IRIS2 Programme and, in particular, the related concession contract, and to ensure close coordination between all activities relating to IRIS2.

Reporting functionally to the Engineering/R&D Manager of the Integrated Programme Management Team and hierarchically to the Deployment Manager, for the management of ESA administrative and regulatory matters, you will be responsible for the timely delivery of user terminals required to provide governmental service, for all aspects relating to access to spectrum for the IRIS2 governmental infrastructure, and for signal definition and the implementation of the 5G standardisation roadmap. You will conduct and oversee activities aimed at building up the EU's industrial capability in this domain. You will liaise with ESA for joint efforts in the domain and will rely on the Agency for the supervision of industrial activities relating to the development and validation of user terminals, aiming to ensure coordination in accordance with the agreements between ESA and the Commission

Initial assignment to Brussels is until Q1 2028 with a possible extension, within the framework of the 12 year Contribution Agreement between ESA and EC. At the end of the assignment, you will be reassigned to a position within CSC Directorate.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• interfacing with the ESA Secure Connectivity System and Validation Office and the ESA Ground Segment and Operations Office and relying on the Agency for the supervision of industrial activities relating to the development and validation of user terminals, aiming to ensure coordination in accordance with the Contribution Agreement and the Programme Management Plan;
• conducting all relevant IPT activities, including for the build-up of EU engineering, manufacturing and supply chain capabilities;
• reporting to the Exploitation Manager of the Integrated Programme Management Team and supporting them as required.

Under the authority of the IPT Engineering/R&D Manager, you will:

• be responsible for and conduct all IPT tasks aimed at ensuring the timely availability of the specified user terminals supporting governmental service, at the expected economic conditions, with overall responsibility for all aspects relating to access to spectrum for the IRIS2 governmental infrastructure and for signal definition, including the 5G standardisation roadmap;
• interface with industry on matters relating to signal, including 5G, spectrum and the user terminals of the IRIS2 concession;
• liaise with the ESA Head of the Secure Connectivity System and Validation Office and the Head of the Ground and User Segment Office for aspects and activities relating to the above objectives, aiming to ensure coordination and relying on ESA for the supervision of consortium activities relating to the design, development, initial deployment and qualification of the Secure Connectivity system and ground segment in accordance with the agreements between ESA and the Commission;
• conduct all IPT tasks relating to the build-up of EU manufacturing capabilities at user terminal level;
• maintain a baseline scenario for incremental development and deployment of the user segment, including the related technology and subsystem roadmaps at user segment level;
• contribute to the maintenance of programme-level schedule management, risk management and configuration control;
• contribute to the maintenance of the programme-level cost plan and key performance indicators;
• propose corrective measures to respond to deviations from performance, schedule and cost targets established at programme level;
• ensure consistency of all requirements with the MRD;
• analyse user segment-related requests for changes, waivers and deviations and non-conformances, anomalies and alerts, supporting the relevant analyses at system level as and when required;
• maintain the Secure Connectivity user segment development and deployment plan, schedule, risk register and relevant parts of the cost plan, with the required key performance indicators, for consolidation and approval at project level;
• oversee the implementation and enforcement of risk and security management processes at user segment level;
• participate in system and ground segment reviews relating to user terminals, spectrum issues and signal definition aspects;
• work in close coordination with other IPT officers, including the Satellites and Production Officer, the Development and Validation Officer and the Concession Contract Officer, as well as the Security Team.
  
  

Technical competencies
Strong technical background in the area of Ground Segment and/or User terminals design, development and validation, including signal definitionStrong expertise on spectrum regulatory issues and processesExperience with the implementation of large space programmes or projects, ideally in the telecommunications domainDemonstrated experience with the set-up and management of a team of technical specialists working towards a common goalExperience in the management and monitoring of industrial activities, including technical and contractual negotiations, and management of technical reviews.Multi-disciplinary and comprehensive knowledge of Ground Segment architecture and the definition of related technical requirements, as well as on-ground and in-orbit validation activitiesExperience in managing industrial activities from a cost and schedule point of view.Experience with product assurance and safety standards and their application in a project environment.Experience with complex project risk management processesBehavioural competencies

Result Orientation

Operational Efficiency

Fostering Cooperation

Relationship Management

Continuous Improvement

Forward Thinking

Education

A master's degree in engineering or a related technical or scientific discipline is required for this post.

Additional requirements

• the ability to manage, guide and motivate individuals or a team in a project setting;
• leadership capabilities, with proven relationship management and communication skills;
• the ability to drive team performance, developing people by encouraging learning and delegating;
• the ability to think and communicate in a structured manner;
• the ability to synthesise complex technical issues and communicate them concisely and clearly;
• the ability to focus on the "big picture" while being able to comprehend and manage detailed technical issues when required;
• problem-solving skills to deal with day-to-day operational challenges, together with demonstrated planning and organisational skills;
• a result orientation with the ability to set priorities and present practical solutions both orally and in writing.

Other information

For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the ESA Competency Framework.

For further information please visit: Professionals, What we offer and FAQ

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required.

Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.

Applicants must be eligible to access technology and hardware which is subject to European and US export control regulations and for security clearance by their national security administrations.

The Agency may require applicants to undergo selection tests.

At the Agency we value diversity and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further please contact us email

Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia.

According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States*. When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates and secondly to external candidates from under-represented Member States*.

In accordance with the European Space Agency's security procedures and as part of the selection process, successful candidates will be required to undergo basic screening before appointment conducted by an external background screening service.

In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the master's degree, the position may be filled at A1 level.

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.

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