Business Development Engineer

Description

The Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes is a programme directorate within the ESA matrix structure. Using a partnership between humans and robots, the Directorate is dedicated to exploring destinations in space where humans are already living and working – or will live and work in the future – for the purpose of scientific research, economic development, international cooperation and public inspiration.

Reporting to the Commercialisation and Innovation Team Leader, you will be responsible for the management of the Business in Space Growth Network (BSGN) which has been established to stimulate industry-driven research and development in space.

You will liaise closely with the LEO Services Teams, the Lunar Projects Teams, the Chief Exploration Scientist and the European and International Stakeholder Relations Team, the Studies and Technology Team, and relevant experts in the Directorates of Commercialisation, Industry and Competitiveness, Technology, Engineering and Quality, and Space Transportation.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• defining the overall evolution and implementation approach for further growth in the BSGN network initiative, taking into account the ESA strategic and programmatic framework for space exploration and the overall ESA support scheme for industry-driven research and development.
• managing end to end the process for selecting new industry accelerators.
• acting as Technical Officer for the implementation of all contracts assigned to the ESA-appointed industry accelerators.
• defining and delivering ESA- and industry-sponsored challenges aimed at delivering new solutions for terrestrial industries enabled by research and development in space, as well as new solutions for deep space exploration.
• implementing OSIP call campaigns and procurement actions aimed at supporting industry-driven research and development activities related to space exploration, in close coordination with all ESA internal and external stakeholders, including the development of call documents and the implementation of the evaluation process.
• developing and delivering, with the support of service contractors, promotion campaigns aimed at raising awareness of ESA’s support for industry-driven research and development activities related to space exploration.
• leading the organisation and delivery of the annual ESA event on commercial space exploration.
• for the markets targeted, including biotech and health, sustainable agriculture and food, new materials and in-space manufacturing and space resources:
  • monitoring the market development and developing regular market briefings.
  • analysing value chains.
  • developing end-to-end business models for identifying commercial opportunities and informing ESA’s selection of industry-driven activity proposals.
• assessing opportunities for science and technology cooperation on industry-driven activities supported by ESA and establishing related cooperation frameworks in close coordination with the Chief Exploration Scientist, the Studies and Technology Team Lead as well as other relevant ESA Technology Programme Managers.
• facilitating access to the ESA investor network managed by the Directorate of Commercialisation, Industry and Competitiveness, for all project teams supported by the BSGN network.
• developing regular status reports on the BSGN activities for the relevant ESA delegate bodies.

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

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

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

Education

A master's degree in a relevant domain is required for this post.

Additional requirements

You should also have:

• strong problem-solving skills to deal with day-to-day operational challenges.
• strong result orientation with the ability to set priorities and present practical solutions, both orally and in writing.
• the ability to anticipate problems, resolve complex issues and relate situations to their context.
• the ability to manage challenging situations proactively and constructively.
• experience in evaluating technical proposals.
• a proactive interest in understanding the broader strategic and programmatic context of your activities.
• direct experience of working with or at start-ups and teams with strong commercial orientation.
• the ability to deal with and learn from failure with the aim of effectively capturing lessons learned and proactively implementing those lessons.