Job Description

Location
ESRIN, Frascati, Italy

EO Applications Engineer, reporting to the Head of the Enterprise Section in the Climate Action, Sustainability and Science Department within the Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes (EOP).

The Enterprise section is responsible for initiating innovative developments linked to novel processing methods, the exploitation of new data sets, the development of new methods integrating EO and non-EO data streams, the stimulation of new EO applications, and the addressing of structural blockages preventing the wider uptake of EO-based applications and analytics.

You will be responsible for setting up and running innovative application development activities as well as developments that address structural barriers to the wider uptake and adoption of EO-based applications and services. You will:

• identify ongoing or planned partner-funded activities where customised EO-based analytics tools can contribute to improving the overall outcomes;
• specify, set up and manage ESA-funded actions to develop innovative methods to integrate EO data, non-EO data (such as IoT sensor networks or transponder data) and novel modelling approaches (for example agent-based models) to expand the applicability of EO data;
• work with priority industry sectors (such as manufacturing, chemicals or construction) to produce next-generation analytics capabilities that will support their transformation towards climate-resilient production and supply chain operations;
• manage specific tenders supporting the wider interests of the Earth Action pillar of the FutureEO programme.

You will cooperate with complementary initiatives, both within EOP (such as Digital Twin Earth, InCubed, Scout missions, or the “Stepping Stones”) and other ESA directorates, in particular the Directorate of Commercialisation, Industry and Competitiveness and the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• working with key stakeholders in diverse stakeholder communities to establish and consolidate requirements for geoinformation products and services and to identify priority gaps in current capabilities;
• working with industry representative bodies to understand emerging opportunities and threats with respect to expanded EO uptake and acceptance;
• drafting technical specifications for applications and services to address the priority requirements and gaps agreed with relevant stakeholders;
• working in close cooperation with the European EO and non-EO industry to establish operations scenarios and technical approaches for the generation and delivery of a portfolio of EO-based applications and services addressing agreed priorities and gaps within diverse stakeholder communities;
• setting up and managing industrial procurements to implement development activities for novel EO-based applications and services addressing both industrial competitiveness priorities as well as department-level calls and tenders;
• interfacing with the EOP Ground Segment and Mission Management Department to ensure consistency with complementary ground segment capability development activities;
• interfacing with ESA and EU industrial development and commercialisation initiatives to identify and capitalise on the potential to transfer and scale up successful projects;
• contributing to ESA communication efforts promoting EO results, mission achievements and EO benefits for society.

Technical competencies

Experience in the use of space-based applications within one or more of the following domains: environmental management and security, climate adaptation, natural resources management, infrastructure management, urban development or societal resilienceExperience in working with public and private sector stakeholders to stimulate the greater uptake of space-based capabilitiesExperience in setting up and implementing projects involving the exploitation of Earth observation dataKnowledge of ESA EO programmes and activities, in particular programmes supporting the development of the European space industry

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 discipline such as Signal Processing, Earth science, environment, ecology, ecosystem science, Computer Science or Data Science is required for this post together with 4 years of relevant professional experience.

Additional requirements

Experience in setting up and running ESA procurements and managing ESA contracts addressing space application developments would be an advantage.

Strong problem-solving skills to deal with day-to-day operational challenges.

Strong results orientation with the ability to set priorities and present practical solutions orally and in writing.

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.