Description

Head of the Small Satellites Section in the In-Orbit Technology Demonstration Division of the Systems Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

Reporting directly to the Head of the In-Orbit Technology Demonstration Division, you will be responsible for managing the Section, its resources and its portfolio of activities. You will also serve as ESA’s focal point for small satellites systems engineering, small and innovative project management, and the associated technology developments, ensuring that the Agency remains at the forefront of rapid and innovative space missions.

As the Head of the Small Satellites Section, you will lead a dynamic team driving ESA’s small satellite strategy, shaping pioneering in-orbit demonstration and validation (IOD/IOV) missions, building Europe’s competitiveness in the global space sector, and preparing the next generation of space systems.

Duties

Within the technical domain defined above, your tasks and responsibilities will include the following:

• SmallSat project preparation and implementation
  Leading SmallSat projects in coordination with the Technology Department and overseeing the preparation, approval and implementation of in-orbit demonstration and validation missions, ensuring delivery on time and within budget;
• Providing support to SmallSat activities across all ESA Directorates, the European Commission and other agencies;
• Anticipating trends, promoting innovative R&D activities, and integrating emerging technologies into demonstration missions in coordination with other engineering domains in the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality;
• Supporting the coordination of technology demonstration missions across the various programmes at ESA, engaging with European industry, research institutions, international partners and ESA Member States.

Workload assessment and assignment:

• Developing the Section’s multi-year activity plan, including required competencies and resource allocation;
• Setting annual objectives and managing or coordinating specialised technical support within the Section's domains of expertise, in close cooperation with functional managers;
• For projects supported by the Section, actively enhancing the agility and flexibility necessary to address short-notice and peak-period project resource requirements;
• Assuming accountability for all activities and resources assigned to the Section, and resolving any conflicts concerning the utilisation of the Section’s resources.

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Support management:

• Monitoring, measuring and reporting on performance at individual and team level, in particular regarding the Section’s objectives;
• Being accountable to the hierarchy for all the daily matters within the Section and for the achievement of the Section’s objectives;
• Being accountable for the Section members' career management, as well as for performing individual performance assessments and merit recognition exercises, and for providing regular feedback;

Expertise offering: management of tools/processes/working methods:

• Ensuring regular interaction between the Section members, supporting teamwork, the exchange of experience and lessons learned, as well as the gathering of feedback;
• Contributing to the continuous improvement of working procedures, tools, processes, expert working methods and delivery methods (lessons learned, knowledge management) and to the reflection on the evolution of the Section's role and activities;
• Contributing to the (independent) technical assessment capability and supporting project reviews;
• Representing the Agency in your area(s) of expertise within ESA and with external entities (industry, delegations, etc.);
• Coordinating the dissemination of the Section’s results within and beyond ESA, in particular via conferences, workshops and R&D presentation days.

R&D/technology management:

• In line with anticipated technology trends and project needs, defining, promoting and implementing the Section’s contributions to ESA technology programmes and R&D activities;
• Coordinating, where applicable, the requirements of technology elements in your domain of expertise with the overall requirements of systems being developed under the responsibility of other areas in the Directorate;
• Liaising with relevant technology expert groups and coordination mechanisms.
  

General and leadership:

• Ensuring a positive and motivating working environment for the Section;
• Communicating ESA values and ensuring compliance with all ESA policies;
• Representing the Section when brokering agreements with other parties and actively encouraging cross-Section cooperation;
• Anticipating and resolving sensitive or difficult situations, detecting and managing health and safety issues, and liaising with HR as required;
• Establishing good working relationships and technical networks with users, project groups and other organisations both inside and outside the Agency;
• Reporting to high-level management and flowing down communication from management.
  

Interface management:

• Supporting the evolution of standards in the context of the ECSS system and mission classification that is related to the technical domains of the Section.
  

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

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

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

Education

A master's degree in aerospace engineering is required for this post.

Additional requirements

• The potential to manage individuals or a team of experts in a project or R&D 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.