Job Description

Location
ECSAT, Harwell, United Kingdom ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

The 5G EMERGE Implementation Manager will be part of the 5G/6G Strategic Programme Line within the Systems, Strategic Programme Lines and Technology Department (CSC-S) and will report to the Head of the 5G/6G NTN Programme Office. In this role, you will focus on the implementation, coordination and evolution of the 5G EMERGE partnership project, a strategic ESA initiative enabling the integration of non terrestrial networks (NTN) with terrestrial 5G/6G systems in collaboration with satellite operators, network vendors and service providers. 5G EMERGE aims to demonstrate how satellite networks and terrestrial 5G infrastructures can work together to deliver advanced digital services — especially media and content distribution — at scale.
The role includes responsibility for coordinating industrial and institutional partners, overseeing the technical and programmatic execution of the 5G EMERGE project, and ensuring alignment with the strategic objectives of the 5G/6G Programme Line and ESA’s broader connectivity roadmap. In addition, you will contribute to selected NTN related activities where synergies are relevant, including monitoring ecosystem developments and supporting the interface with key stakeholders and partner initiatives.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• 5G EMERGE project implementation (primary responsibility)
  • Implementing of the 5G EMERGE large partnership project, including planning, execution, schedule, cost, risk and quality control;
  • Leading the industrial consortium interface, ensuring coordinated delivery across multiple contractors and workstreams;
  • Driving project governance activities, including organisation of progress meetings, milestone reviews and reporting cycles and consolidation of technical and programmatic status;
  • Ensuring compliance with ESA procurement, contractual and administrative processes in close coordination with the Procurement Office;
  • Supporting internal ESA reporting to management and delegations regarding project status, risks, achievements and strategic evolution;
  • Ensuring the project is aligned with ESA’s broader 5G/6G NTN strategy and contributes effectively to ESA Member States’ objectives.

• NTN and ecosystem support (additional responsibilities)
  • Monitoring relevant business, technological and ecosystem developments in the NTN and integrated satellite/terrestrial communication domain, providing input when relevant for the evolution of ESA’s 5G/6G Programme Line;
  • Maintaining working level coordination with institutional stakeholders, industrial partners and other ESA directorates when synergies with the 5G EMERGE project arise (e.g. joint satcom/terrestrial initiatives, national 5G/6G programmes);
  • Contributing to selected preparatory activities, roadmaps or actions where 5G EMERGE outcomes feed into broader NTN developments;
  • Supporting other programmatic activities of the Department on request.

Technical competencies

Proven experience in the implementation/management of large, multi‑partner or multi‑disciplinary industrial projectsStrong understanding of satellite communications, 5G/6G networks and TN/NTN integration concepts in an end‑to‑end system contextFamiliarity with ESA procurement, industrial processes and partnership frameworks or equivalent public sector project environmentsKnowledge of telecom ecosystem trends, relevant standards and satellite-terrestrial convergenceAbility to manage complex technical, programmatic, contractual and industrial interactionsExperience in coordinating and interfacing with commercial partners, operators, manufacturers and institutional stakeholders

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 engineering discipline is required for this post together with 4 years of relevant professional experience. Alternatively, candidates with a bachelor’s degree, complemented by an additional four (4) years of relevant professional experience can be considered.

Additional requirements

• Demonstrated experience in implementing/managing complex projects, preferably in telecommunications, satellite systems, 5G/6G or 3GPP standardisation or in the context of large-scale industrial collaboration.
• Ability to work autonomously and lead interactions with diverse stakeholders across industry and institutions.
• Strong analytical, organisational, communication and problem solving skills.
• Ability to organise activities, motivate others and manage challenging operational situations constructively.

Experience with ESA projects, public procurement or international collaborative environments is an asset.
An understanding of satellite/terrestrial network integration, the 5G/6G ecosystem and 3GPP standardisation is desirable.

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 contact.human.resources@esa.int

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.