Science Operations System Engineer

Job Requisition ID: 18906

Date Posted: 11 October 2024

Application Deadline: 1 November 2024 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication: Internal & External

Type of Contract: Permanent

Directorate: Science

Workplace: Villanueva de la Cañada, ES

Grade Band: A2 - A4

Location
ESAC, Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain

Description
The European Space Agency maintains a world-leading Science Programme with missions in heliophysics, planetary science, astrophysics and fundamental physics. Its mission is to 'Empower Europe to lead space science'.

The Science Operations Department (SCI-S) within ESA's Directorate of Science hosts the scientists and engineers that oversee the space missions from study to end of operations. It develops the science operation systems for the missions and operates the missions in space, as well as archiving and curating their data during operations and beyond. Its main objective is to maximise the scientific output of the missions for the benefit of humankind.

As Science Operations System Engineer, you will support the design, implementation and testing of the science ground segment system, particularly the Science Operation Centres of our science missions. You will initially be assigned to the EnVision mission and report to the EnVision Science Operations Development Manager in the Science Operations Development Division.

EnVision will be the first mission to investigate Venus from its inner core to its upper atmosphere, characterising the interaction between its different envelopes: its atmosphere, surface/subsurface and interior. It aims to provide a holistic view of Venus, studying the planet’s history, activity and climate. EnVision is targeting a launch in the early 2030s.

Duties
You will be responsible for the science operations system engineering activities of the EnVision mission for the remainder of the development and operations phases in the Science Operation Centre (SOC), the ESA components of the science ground segment (SGS). The SOC, based at ESAC (Madrid, Spain), is responsible for the science planning, data processing and archiving activities of ESA’s contribution to the mission’s science operations. The Mission Operations Centre (MOC), based at ESOC (Darmstadt, Germany), is responsible for all spacecraft operations.

You will work in close collaboration with the Science Operations development team, Project Teams, Project Scientist, Mission Operations Centres at ESOC and Instrument Teams.

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• setting up and maintaining the system engineering processes of the EnVision Science Operations Centre (SOC) and supporting in this matter the entire Science Ground Segment (SGS) during the development and operations phases;
• defining, formalising and maintaining the required EnVision SOC interfaces with the Instrument Teams and the Missions Operations Centre;
• leading the SOC system design and requirement definition;
• leading the overall EnVision science operations integration and testing of the uplink and downlink systems, and coordinating the EnVision SGS test campaigns, monitoring the contributions expected from the Instruments Teams and performing jointly the end-to-end validation campaigns;
• contributing to the definition and populations of the operations plan and associated operational procedures within the SOC and across the wider science ground segment elements;
• maintaining and adapting the overall architecture and the system configuration during the cruise and nominal EnVision mission phases;
• keeping abreast of technological developments in software engineering to detect potential applications within the Science Operations Department and to provide inputs on the strategic and technical long-term evolution of software supporting science operations;
• other tasks related to the Department’s activities in science operations.

Your position is expected to evolve to also support multi-mission solutions for science ground segments and potentially other planetary missions in development in the Division.

Technical competencies
Experience in software systems engineering (encompassing the full project lifecycle from requirements analysis and system design through to development, verification and validation), preferably for science operations.

Experience in development, operations and maintenance of ground infrastructure and/or software systems, preferably for science operations

Experience in space missions’ operations

Experience in R&D projects

Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking

Education
A master's degree in engineering, space science, space applications or equivalent is required for this post.

Additional requirements
One or more of the following would be additional assets for the position:

• Experience in designing scalable and distributed systems, preferably for science operations
• Experience in project management in development activities involving multiple interfaces in the context of space science
• Knowledge of science data processing
• Experience in operations planning
• 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.

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, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.

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 [email protected].

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 technology and hardware which is subject to European and US export control regulations & security clearance by their national security administrations.

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 can only be 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*.

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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