Job Description

Location
ESA Headquarters, Paris, France

This vacancy is published to recruit for either: an appointment of 4 years, extendable to an indefinite duration; or a fixed-term appointment with an initial duration of 4 years that depending on performance and organisational needs, may be extended up to a maximum total duration of 8 years.

European Launcher Challenge Capacity Demonstration Manager/Boost! Commercial Services Manager in the Boost!/European Launcher Challenge Programme, Strategy and Institutional Launches, Directorate of Space Transportation.

The position covers responsibilities associated with both ESA’s European Launcher Challenge (ELC) and the Boost! commercial space transportation programme. The precise allocation of duties between these programmes will be determined upon appointment and may evolve over time in accordance with programme implementation needs.

Duties

Your role will be central to supporting Europe’s emerging commercial space transportation sector, accelerating the development of new space transportation systems, and ensuring robust, competitive and diversified access to space for European institutional and commercial customers.

You will manage development support and capacity demonstration activities undertaken by selected companies under the Boost! and/or ELC programmes, from technical and programmatic monitoring to performance assessment, milestone validation, and coordination with ESA internal stakeholders and Member States.

In line with programmatic needs, you will be assigned responsibilities under the ELC, the Boost! commercial space transportation programme, or a combination thereof. The allocation of duties may evolve over time based on organisational priorities. In this capacity, you will act as Technical Officer for several pre-commercial service development and upgrade demonstration contracts: Your tasks will include:

• managing the technical, financial and programmatic implementation of industrial contracts placed under the ELC and/or Boost!. This includes monitoring progress against workplans, validating milestones and deliverables, coordinating reviews, preparing internal documentation, and ensuring timely and compliant programme implementation;
• overseeing the development, testing, qualification and demonstration activities conducted by supported companies under the ELC and/or Boost! with a view to validating ESA’s milestone acceptance. This involves participating in technical reviews, assessing readiness for test and launch campaigns, and verifying that contracted performance commitments and technical objectives are achieved;
• for assignments under the ELC programme, monitoring compliance with requirements, in particular for initial and upgraded capacity demonstration. This includes assessing readiness for demonstration flights, verifying achievement of success criteria, overseeing implementation of upgraded capacity work orders, and ensuring fulfilment of associated private‑funding and milestone obligations;
• proactively monitoring relevant schedules, identifying risk and problem areas, and proposing mitigation actions;
• evaluating technical maturity and market relevance of service proposals from economic operators received through the Boost! call for proposals, and contributing to the negotiation of corresponding contracts;
• assessing the technical and financial aspects of new space transportation commercial services in Europe in coordination with market assessment services;
• monitoring activities performed by economic operators in both programmes and under technology programmes in STS and throughout the Agency;
• identifying, leading and efficiently coordinating and deploying specialised engineering support from the Directorates of Technology, Engineering and Quality, and Operations in the appropriate areas of competence as required;
• supporting interactions with Member States through reporting, presentations and preparation of programme‑level documentation, including for ESA decision-making bodies;
• contributing to the programme’s outreach, in coordination with space transportation communication services;
• coordinating with relevant activities carried out under other relevant programmes in the Directorate and throughout the Agency.

Technical competencies

Knowledge and experience of the technical domains involved in the development of space transportation systemsExperience in the management of industrial contracts and monitoring of industrial activities, including industrial costs and schedule aspectsAbility to assess industrial workplans, technical dossiers, risks and performance metricsAbility to perform business economics analysisAbility to work and interact autonomously, effectively and cooperatively with a diverse range of stakeholdersAn understanding of ESA’s procurement processes would be desirable

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 or equivalent qualification in an engineering discipline is required for this post.

Additional requirements

Experience in industry-driven commercialisation programmes and in cooperation with the European Union would be an advantage.

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.

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.