Description

System Engineer for the Aeolus-2 Satellite in the Meteorological Programmes of the Earth Observation Projects Department, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes.

Aeolus-2 is planned as an operational follow-on to the successful Aeolus Earth Explorer mission, in collaboration with EUMETSAT for a series of two satellites. The primary payload for Aeolus-2 is a Doppler Wind Lidar designed to measure atmospheric winds through the measurement of Doppler shifts in the backscatter of emitted laser light from molecules and aerosols in the atmosphere. In addition, a Radio Occultation instrument will be carried if feasible.

The Aeolus-2 programme was approved at the ESA Council meeting at ministerial level in November 2022 and is currently in the final stages of Phase A2/B1 and in preparation for Phase B2/C/D/E procurement. An Instrument Consolidation Study and various technology pre-development activities are ongoing.

Duties

You will report to the Aeolus-2 System and Operations Manager and will support the finalisation of parallel System Accommodation Studies, the Instrument Consolidation Study and various pre-developments and the preparation of the phase B2/C/D/E procurement activities. You will then support the Aeolus-2 mission for the system engineering aspects during the programme development phases (B2/C/D/E).

Your main tasks and responsibilities will include:

• support for the preparation of the overall ITT for Phase B2/C/D/E1;
• the definition, consolidation and maintenance of the Aeolus-2 space segment requirements;
• coordination with the Aeolus-2 team to ensure the consistency of design, testing and performances with system-level needs;
• management and monitoring of industrial activities for the system and platform (including AIV and operations) aspects;
• assessment and review of the proposed space segment architecture and design, including identification of possible options, trade-offs and design/cost drivers;
• critical analysis and maintenance of all system and satellite budgets and timely instigation of corrective actions where necessary;
• assessment of the accommodation of the payload and review of the satellite-to-payload interfaces;
• liaising with EUMETSAT and reviewing the ground segment design and compatibility with the space segment and operations requirements;
• management of the space-to-ground interface;
• management of and/or support for Aeolus-2 pre-development activities.

In carrying out these tasks, you will coordinate closely with other Aeolus-2 project team members and with support from the Directorates of Earth Observation Programmes and Technology, Engineering and Quality.

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

A master's in a relevant physical sciences or engineering discipline is required for this post.

Additional requirements

Proven experience in the development of satellite projects and systems engineering is required.

You should also have: 

• proven experience of working in a team within a project;
• the ability to manage people;
• the ability to drive performance and foster cooperation within and across teams throughout the organisation;
• demonstrated relationship management and communication skills, both oral and written;
• 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 the ability to support others (team members, upper management and other stakeholders) in this process.