CIMR Satellite Engineering and AIV Manager

CIMR Satellite Engineering and AIV Manager

Job Requisition ID: 20106

Date Posted: 7 November 2025

Closing Date: 28 November :59 CET/CEST

Publication: Internal & External

Type of Contract: Permanent

Directorate: Earth Observation Programmes

Workplace:Noordwijk, NL

Grade Band: A2 - A4

Location

ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description

CIMR Satellite Engineering and AIV Manager in the CIMR Project within the Copernicus Space Segment Programme in the Earth Observation Projects Department of the Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes.

We are looking for a Satellite Engineering and AIV Manager for the Copernicus Imaging Microwave Radiometer (CIMR) mission, presently in phase C/D.

You will report to the CIMR Project Manager for all technical, programmatic and financial matters and will work within the CIMR Project Team. You will interface with and be supported by other project engineers, and you will also receive specialised technical support from the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

The assignment covers the activities related to Phases C/D/E1 for prototype and recurrent satellite(s), including storage, where applicable.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• being responsible for the satellite engineering (including classic engineering disciplines) and AIV aspects of the space segment, ensuring full consistency with system requirements and operational interfaces;
• consolidating and maintaining satellite requirements specification, design, development, test and verification;
• monitoring industrial work associated with satellite and ground support equipment procurement, ensuring full compliance with technical and programmatic requirements;
• defining, implementing and monitoring AIT/AIV activities of the satellite(s), platform(s), subsystems and units;
• consolidating and maintaining internal/external satellite interfaces and engineering technical budgets;
• being technically responsible for the design and procurement of spacecraft subsystems, including structure, thermal, propulsion, mechanisms, power (generation and storage) and avionics (AOCS, data handling and communications);
• being technically responsible for all aspects related to onboard software development and validation (together with the System Engineering Section, specifically for operational aspects);
• being responsible for defining all interfaces between the launcher and satellite with the launcher authority;
• managing launch campaign preparation activities and implementation;
• ensuring satellite in-orbit verification, contributing to overall mission system commissioning;
• leading, managing and motivating the Section Engineering Team;
• liaising closely with other Project sections, providing engineering support and ensuring a consistent approach to the satellite and payload procurement, verification, launch- and in-orbit operations preparation and overall satellite performance;
• being responsible for anomaly-handling and coordinating, with other Project sections, the handing of NRBs, the NCR process, RFD/W, etc.;
• coordinating and managing the necessary specialist technical support from other directorates;
• coordinating the common platform development together with the CHIME and ROSE-L missions;
• coordinating with the Satellite Engineering and AIV Managers of the other Copernicus missions and the Copernicus Technical Coordinator to ensure a harmonised approach to the understanding, management and implementation of common engineering requirements and procurements;
• regularly reporting to the Project Manager on all aspects of satellite development, identifying risks and problem areas, and proposing mitigation actions;
• supporting the general project reporting tasks (monthly, QSR/QIR) and other Department-level support activities, as required.

You will also be responsible for identifying, assessing, managing and reporting the health and safety risks in your area of responsibility.

Technical competencies

Experience in spacecraft design, development, assembly, integration and verification/testing

Experience in the management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in reviews

Experience in satellite early operations (launch and early orbit phase and in-orbit commissioning)

Knowledge of all phases of the software development lifecycle

Experience in the evaluation of performances at mission and spacecraft level

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation

Operational Efficiency

Fostering Cooperation

Relationship Management

Continuous Improvement

Forward Thinking

For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

Education

A master's degree in a relevant engineering discipline is required for this post.

Additional requirements

You will lead a section of engineers and liaise closely with other project sections and other relevant Copernicus entities.

You will be supported by a team of engineers shared across the Copernicus Space Component and receive specialised engineering support from the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

You should also have:

• the potential to manage a team in a project setting;
• the ability to organise their activities and ensure a motivating work environment;
• strong leadership capabilities, with proven relationship management and communication skills;
• the ability to drive your team's performance, developing your people by encouraging learning, delegating responsibility and giving regular and constructive feedback;
• strong problem-solving skills to deal with day-to-day operational challenges, together with demonstrated planning and organisational skills;
• strong result orientation with the ability to set priorities and present practical solutions both orally and in writing;
• the ability to manage challenging situations proactively and constructively and to be customer focused.

People management experience would be an asset, as would international experience, i.e. outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities.

The following would be advantageous:

• The ability to provide strategic direction to the individuals and teams within the Project and relate team objectives to the overall and evolving organisational goals and context;
• The ability to drive performance and foster cooperation within and across teams throughout the organisation;
• Demonstrated excellent leadership, relationship management and communication skills, oral and written;
• A proven track record of representing the Agency's interests to external interfaces;
• Excellent cognitive, analytical, delegation, planning and organisational skills;
• The ability to anticipate problems, solve complex issues and relate situations to their context;
• The ability to reach solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions of a high standard and integrity as well as supporting others (team members, upper management, other stakeholders) in this process.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness

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

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 via email at

Important Information and Disclaimer

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.

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.

Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.

The information published on ESA's careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.

Nationality and Languages

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

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*.

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.

• Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.

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