This is a fixed-term appointment with an initial duration of 4 years. Depending upon performance and organisational needs, the appointment may be extended up to a possible maximum duration of 8 years.

Location

ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany

Description

Ground Operations Cybersecurity and ESTRACK Service Officer in the Near Earth Services Section of the Ground Facilities Operations Division, Mission Operations Department, Directorate of Operations.

You will report to the Head of the Near Earth Services Section. The Section is responsible for the operations, engineering and provision of ground facilities operations services, including security, for Earth observation missions, astronomical missions and fundamental physics missions. These activities can be intended for ESA missions or form part of the support provided for similar missions under delegated EU or national programmes. Furthermore, the Section is responsible for providing training and simulation campaigns in preparation of the launch & early orbit phase (LEOP) or mission critical events for all missions operated by ESOC.

Duties

You will be the primary technical interface for ESA and external missions providing ESA Tracking Station Network (ESTRACK) services, ensuring the appropriate level of cybersecurity operations, as well as the Operational Control Centre (OCC) and the ICT infrastructure of the ground facilities.

Your main duties will include:

• coordinating requirements engineering, the generation and maintenance of cost-at-completion data, mission-specific system engineering, and the required technical work and operations preparation activities relevant to ground facilities and associated services;
• supporting requirements engineering activities for ground operations services in the context of new resilience and security initiatives and programmes. This includes assessing mission-specific (cyber)security requirements applicable to ground facilities;
• implementing appropriate security measures to ensure robust, end-to-end secure service delivery, including interfaces with third-party partners;
• ensuring the implementation and validation of relevant ground segment elements and the final “delivery” to the mission, balancing quality, time and resource considerations;
• initiating and following up mission/service-specific tailoring, modifications or upgrades of the ground facilities” infrastructure and the services provided;
• defining and coordinating the implementation of related test and validation programmes, such as RF compatibility, mission readiness, station performance and tracking campaigns;
• supporting the preparation and implementation of launch and early orbit phases and other mission-critical phases as a member of the Operations Manager Team;
• coordinating the ground facilities scheduling, operations and services for relevant missions during all mission phases, including interfacing with the Network Control Centre (NOC);
• providing regular and event-driven reporting to the customer mission and line management;
• participating in project reviews, anomaly and configuration control boards, acting as the user representative in the development process of related ground systems;
• providing support to security assessments of the ground operations as well as of missions under preparation;
• engaging in business development initiatives to expand ESTRACK TT&C utilisation;
• supporting the amendment and enhancement of ESTRACK services, for example by procuring commercial tracking capacity;
• driving the commercialisation of ESTRACK tracking services and their expansion in favour of European industry, in particular New Space companies;
• interfacing with international institutional partners and third-party organisations, and supporting the establishment and implementation of related cross-support agreements, implementation arrangements and contracts;
• managing payload acquisition services and TT&C services on behalf of internal customers;
• providing support to other internal units (such as FMO);

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• supporting the training and simulations process in the context of the preparation and implementation of mission operations courses and of launch and early orbit phase and critical activity simulation campaigns;
• supporting the Head of Section in activities, processes and projects related to multi-mission ground facilities infrastructure and services.

Technical competencies

Knowledge of cybersecurity in the context of space and/or ground segment operations

Knowledge of satellite systems and ground segment architecture. Detailed knowledge of the architecture of ground stations and their subsystems with experience in TT&C stations and the associated security aspects

Experience in mission operations preparation and execution, including direct experience in critical and routine mission operations

Experience in human behaviour performance aspects and the design of training objectives to foster human centric competencies during a simulation campaign

Experience in the planning and implementation of training courses, including the definition of training objectives and evaluation items

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 and professional experience

A master”s degree in a relevant domain is required for this post together with 5 years of relevant professional experience.

Additional requirements

You should also have:

• the ability to work independently and to present complex technical issues clearly and convincingly with reference to resource considerations is essential for performing this function effectively;
• a proactive attitude, the ability to multitask and strong self-motivation;
• good communication skills for handling a broad range of international interfaces and the ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team (considered a must for this position);
• 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 and sound solutions both orally and in writing, taking due consideration of quality, time and resources;
• the ability to manage challenging situations proactively and constructively and to be customer focused;
• knowledge of the Agency and its internal processes.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness

ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.

At the Agency we value diversity, and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email at [email protected].

Important Information and Disclaimer

In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level.

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency”s security procedures.

Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.

Nationality and Languages

Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.

According to the ESA Convention, staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the Member States.

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.

Level of Education: Master Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 24

Organization: European Space Agency