Job Description

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Project Manager for the Sentinel-3 Next Generation Topography Project in the Copernicus Space Segment Programme, Earth Observation Projects Department, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes.

As part of the global effort to develop next-generation missions beyond those already operational, the Sentinel-3 Next Generation Topography mission aims to replace the Sentinel-3 C and D satellites, providing continuity beyond 2030 and introducing several enhancements. The project has completed its Phase A/B1; advance B2 instrument activities are ongoing, and Phase B2/C/D is expected to begin in the second half of 2026.

If selected for this position, you will report to the Copernicus Space Segment Programme Manager within the Earth Observation Projects Department. You will be responsible for managing the Copernicus Sentinel-3 Next Generation Topography Project protoflight and the recurrent satellite(s) implementation (Phases B2/C/D/E1).

Duties

Your specific responsibilities and duties will include:

• responsibility for the end-to-end procurement and technical management of the Sentinel-3 Next Generation Topography Project in accordance with the agreed technical specifications, cost and schedule;
• management of the industrial contract(s) relating to your area of responsibility and interfacing with industry for all project matters;
• representation of the projects, and associated reporting, to ESA technical authorities, such as the Inspector General, Audit, Frequency Coordination, the Security Office and the Independent Safety Office, the Mission Advisory Group, and ESA subordinate bodies, such as DOSTAG;
• management of the Sentinel-3 Next Generation Topography ESA Project Team and associated support from the Directorates of Earth Observation Programmes; Technology, Engineering and Quality; Controlling, Finance and Operational Procurement; and Operations, ensuring that all appropriate information is available to all project participants so that they can discharge their responsibilities efficiently within the agreed framework.

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

Technical competencies

Knowledge of Space system development and PA standardsKnowledge of space projects, including instrumentation and operationsKnowledge of ESA and industrial development, verification and procurement processesKnowledge of industrial costs and schedule aspectsDelivery of complex projects within cost and scheduleKnowledge and experience of complex project schedule and risk management processes

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 and professional experience

A master’s degree in a relevant domain is required for this post together with 15 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

You should also have:

• proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a team in a project setting;
• the ability to provide strategic direction to the individuals and teams within the project and relate team objectives to the overall and evolving organisational goals and context;
• the ability to drive performance and foster cooperation within and across teams throughout the organisation;
• demonstrated excellent leadership, relationship management and communication skills, both oral and written;
• excellent cognitive, analytical, delegation, planning and organisational skills;
• the ability to anticipate problems, resolve complex issues and relate situations to their context;
• the ability to reach solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions of a high standard and with integrity, as well as to support others, such as team members, senior management and other stakeholders, in this process.

People management experience is required. International experience is an asset, including outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities.
Mobility is inherent to management functions and this position may be subject to rotation.
Therefore, mobility opportunities may be offered to you as part of your career evolution at ESA, beginning after approximately five years in this role.

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
Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.

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.