Description

Software-centered Space Transportation Project Engineer in the Core Future Launchers Preparatory Programme (STS-FF), Future Launchers Preparatory Programme (FLPP), Future Preparation, Directorate of Space Transportation.

Within the Space Transportation domain, software-centered vehicle engineering is foremost about ‘digitalising’ a vehicle hardware. A software-centered space transportation engineer takes the valuable properties of powerful software systems and applies them across the underlying hardware, thereby creating a more intelligent, configurable, and interoperable space transportation infrastructure.

You will be supporting the ramping-up of software-centered vehicle engineering in the roadmap for future space transportation preparation.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• Drafting statements of work for the relevant FLPP System & Technology activities, with internal support and technical assistance, and supporting the subsequent bidding process;
• Managing and participating in the evaluation of tender submissions, negotiation and the implementation of the corresponding contracts, in collaboration with the Procurement Department and other relevant ESA Departments;
• Organising and supporting negotiations on the contracts with industry;
• Managing the relevant contracted activities, including deliverables assessment and timely delivery of technological developments;
• Supporting STS-FF and STS-FL in the update of STS-F technology and demonstration roadmaps in collaboration with customer projects, technologies and demonstrators teams, and in coherence with the programme system needs;
• Organising and supporting the management of the sessions of the STS-F Technology Roadmap Committee;
• Co-ordinating activities performed in collaboration with European industry and the academic world, promoting ESA’s activities to students/researchers/universities and stimulating cross-fertilisation and new ideas;
• Scouting of relevant technologies, in coordination with TEC, and potentially with the assistance of consulting;
• Providing appropriate support to the FLPP Core Technologies Manager;
• supporting STS-FL in development of diversification of space transportation stakeholders through spin-in/spin-off to strengthen the technology and demonstration roadmaps, and achieve the programme objectives;
• Drafting and presenting papers at space conferences.

You will be assisted by project control, contracts, legal and quality staff and supported by engineers from the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality, and from national agencies within the FLPP Technical Assistance scheme.

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

A Master’s degree in computer science is required.

Additional requirements

You should have:

• technical knowledge of the application of computer science and software to the industrial sector with the aim of fostering innovation;
• knowledge of the European and global space transportation sectors, including industry;
• demonstrated project management experience and negotiation skills;
• experience of motivating and developing a cross-functional team that includes non-ESA staff and trainees; 
• the ability to work autonomously in an international environment;
• demonstrated leadership, relationship management and communication skills, both oral and written; 
• excellent cognitive, analytical, delegation, planning and organisational skills;
• the ability to anticipate problems, resolve complex issues and relate situations to their context;
• the ability to make solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions of a high standard and with integrity and to support others, such as team members, upper management and other stakeholders, in this process.

The following will be considered assets:

• Professional experience in the space transportation industry;
• Competence in establishing system and technology roadmaps and experience of academic and public or private space transportation R&D;
• Experience in project implementation with a thorough knowledge of or motivation for the space transportation sector, the New Space environment and space transportation innovation processes;
• Previous experience of interacting with teams in multiple locations and experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA’s activities.