Head of Secure Connectivity Payload Section

Description

Head of the Secure Connectivity Payload Section in the Secure Connectivity Space Segment Office within the Secure Connectivity Programme Department in the Directorate of Connectivity and Secure Communications.

The ESA Programme Related to EU Secure Connectivity, hereinafter referred to as “Secure Connectivity”, is intended to support the effective development and validation of the EU Secure Connectivity governmental infrastructure and the services provided by it, as well as the validation and demonstration of services based on the commercial infrastructure developed by the contractor(s) delivering the EU Secure Connectivity governmental infrastructure. 
Reporting to the Head of the Secure Connectivity Space Segment Office, you will be responsible for all tasks relating to the design, development and deployment of the payloads of the Secure Connectivity Space Segment. 

Duties

Your main tasks and responsibilities will include: 

• management of the engineering activities relating to the design, development, qualification, acceptance and validation of the payloads of the Secure Connectivity Space Segment, including the payloads of any constellations within the Secure Connectivity system of systems, in accordance with the agreed schedule, cost and technical requirements, including implementation of the applicable security requirements; 
• management of the overall payload-related engineering, manufacturing, assembly and integration and testing (AIT/AIV) activities, including the organisation and management of payload-level reviews; 
• consolidation and maintenance of the payload subsystem and equipment requirements specification, design, development, testing and verification; 
• monitoring industrial work associated with payload and ground support equipment procurement, ensuring full compliance with technical and programmatic requirements; 
• monitoring and ensuring that all necessary payload-related industrial activities are performed and that the design meets the project requirements; 
• contributing to the management of system satellite budgets in your areas of responsibility; 
• supporting, for payload-related aspects, the preparation and management of all satellite launch campaign activities; 
• analysis of payload-related requests for changes, waivers and deviations, as well as non-conformances, anomalies and alerts, providing support to the relevant analyses at space segment and system level as and when required; 
• providing support, for payload-related aspects, to the Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP), commissioning, the in-orbit test (IOT) campaign and the payload operations, as well as evolutive maintenance and correction of in-orbit anomalies; 
• maintenance of the Secure Connectivity payload development and deployment plan, schedule, risk register and relevant parts of the cost plan, with the required key performance indicators, for consolidation and approval at project level; 
• implementation and enforcement of risk and security management processes at payload level; 
• close coordination with the other Secure Connectivity project teams and disciplines, including the Space Segment (Satellite, Platform and AIT), Ground Segment and Operations Office, the System Office, the Security Team and the Product Assurance and Safety Team; 
• leading, managing and motivating the Payload Team, including the definition of day-to-day tasks and objectives, annual performance objective-setting, daily supervision, annual assessment, managing training needs and preparing input for and following up on the team manpower and travel budget; 
• coordinating work and resource allocation to ensure timely execution of the relevant activities; 
• securing adequate on-time support from the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality; 
• regular reporting on progress, issues, risks and schedule to the Head of the Space Segment Office.

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

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

A master’s degree in engineering or physics is required.

Additional requirements

Extensive experience in communication payloads engineering, design, development and verification.
Extensive experience in payload procurement, preferably for communication payloads.
Previous experience working on multiagency cooperative programmes is an asset.
Very good knowledge of active antennas and on-board processors for communication payloads is an asset.
 
Furthermore, you should have:

• the ability to organise team activities and ensure a motivating work environment;
• strong leadership capabilities, with proven relationship management and communication skills;
• the ability to drive performance and foster cooperation within and across teams throughout the organisation;
• the ability to drive the team’s performance, developing 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;
• a strong result orientation with the ability to set priorities and present practical solutions;
• the ability to manage challenging situations proactively and constructively;
• good oral and written communication and presentation skills.