Head of the Sustainable Engineering Section

Job Requisition ID:  19281

Date Posted:  17 February 2025

Closing Date:  10 March 2025 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication:  Internal & External

Type of Contract:  Permanent

Directorate:  Technology, Engineering and Quality

Workplace:  

Noordwijk, NL

Grade Band:  A2 – A4

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description

The Sustainable Engineering Section (TEC-SFS) is the engineering centre of competence for technology and design approaches supporting the sustainability of European space activities both on Earth and in space. The Section is at the forefront of innovation, pioneering cutting-edge engineering methodologies, technologies and standards to ensure the long-term environmental stewardship of space activities – both on Earth and beyond.

A cornerstone of ESA’s commitment to sustainability is the Sustainable Engineering team, which you will join to tackle some of the most critical challenges in the field, supporting the ESA Green Agenda.
From defining and implementing eco-design principles and performing life cycle assessments to driving the Zero Debris initiative and championing a circular economy for space systems, the Section works in close collaboration with ESA programmes (in particular with the Space Safety Programme’s Clean Space team) and international partners to pave the way for a responsible and forward-thinking space industry. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape strategies, manage talent, foster innovation and collaborate with top experts in the field. Your work will directly contribute to safeguarding the future of space exploration and ensuring the sustainable use of orbital resources for generations to come.

The Sustainable Engineering Section provides project support to ESA programmes, while developing and implementing technology, engineering methodologies and standards to assess and mitigate environmental impacts and further develop sustainable solutions for the European space sector.

The Section is the engineering centre of competence for:
–    environmental regulation (REACh and RoHS);
–    life cycle assessment and eco-design;
–    the development and technical implementation of the Zero Debris approach in projects;
–    the development and implementation of best practices for safe close proximity operations;
–    technology and system designs for the establishment of a circular space economy.

You will report to the Head of the Future Engineering Division of the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

Duties

• Coordinating, where applicable, the requirements of technology elements in the Section’s domain of expertise with the overall requirements of the systems being developed by the Agency;
• Liaising with relevant technology expert groups and coordination mechanisms;
• Contributing to the development of eco-design and LCA engineering methodologies and frameworks and supporting their integration within ESA projects and technology developments;
• Supporting Agency projects in implementing best practices for safe close proximity operations;
• Implementing R&D roadmaps to achieve ESA Zero Debris goals and providing support to ESA projects in complying with space debris mitigation requirements.

Workload assessment and assignment:

• Establishing the multi-year plan of activities for the Section, covering required competences and assignment of resources;
• Establishing annual objectives and managing/coordinating on a day-to-day basis specialised technical support in the Section’s fields of expertise, in full collaboration with the functional managers;
• Actively helping to increase the agility/flexibility required to meet the short-notice and peak-period resource needs of projects;
• Being accountable for all activities and resources delegated to the Section, and for resolving possible conflicting demands on the use of the Section’s resources.

Talent management:

• Maintaining state-of-the-art expertise in the Section – identifying, developing, maintaining and tracking the technical competences needed to meet current and future strategic needs;
• Establishing individual talent management (competence and development) plans for the Section’s members, covering technical and behavioural aspects;
• Collaborating with functional managers whenever needed;
• Driving the development of people within the Section’s area of responsibility, facilitating the development of people beyond the Section, and encouraging mobility when it serves the organisation’s interests;
• Encouraging the integration of newcomers and contributing to their initial development;
• Managing staff functional mobility and changes (arrivals, departures, reassignments, probation and contract extensions) with minimum disruption to the Section’s activities.

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Support management:

• Monitoring, measuring and reporting on performance at individual and team level, in particular regarding the Section’s objectives;
• Being accountable to the hierarchy for all the daily matters within the Section and for the achievement of the Section’s objectives;
• Being accountable for the Section members’ career management, as well as for performing individual performance assessments and merit recognition exercises, and for providing regular feedback;
• Negotiating, organising and coordinating the support provided by the Section to ESA projects throughout all phases in the Section’s areas of expertise;
• Proactively identifying environmental regulation risks and opportunities for European industry and ESA projects, and supporting ESA projects in risk mitigation action planning.

General and leadership:

• Ensuring a positive and motivating working environment for the Section;
• Communicating ESA values and ensuring compliance with all ESA policies;
• Representing the Section within brokering agreements with other parties and actively encouraging cross-unit cooperation;
• Anticipating and resolving sensitive or difficult situations, detecting and managing health and safety issues, and liaising with HR as required;
• Establishing good working relationships and technical networks with users, project groups and other organisations both inside and outside the Agency;
• Fostering the Agency’s leadership in the Section’s fields of expertise and the engagement and coordination with the European space sector and international partners;
• Reporting to high-level management and facilitating the flow down of information from management.

Interface management:

• Coordinating with Architects and Subsystem Engineers on the design, development and verification of technologies and systems for the development of more sustainable solutions;
• Closely coordinating with the Space Safety Department and technology programmes on the definition of cross-cutting workplans;
• Coordinating the evolution of the standards in the context of the ECSS system that is related to the Section’s technical domains;
• Interfacing with ESA Member State delegate bodies on relevant topics for the Section, as required.

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

Technical competencies

General background and specific experience in the technical domains covered by the position.

Direct experience in space projects (throughout B2CD phases)

Experience in supporting ESA programmes and/or projects and knowledge of their technical and programmatic requirements in relevant technical domains

Knowledge of the industrial landscape and ability to define technology development roadmaps identifying future trends in technology requirements

Experience in driving R&D activities, as well as knowledge of ESA technology programmes

Experience in ESA procurement processes and contract management as well as applied negotiation skills

Experience with Space Engineering Standards and their preparation and implementation

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

A master’s degree in Computer Engineering, Space System Engineering, Physics or equivalent is required for this post.

Additional requirements

• Strong experience in the domain of modern engineering methods
• Proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a team of experts in an international project;
• The ability to provide strategic direction to the individuals and teams within the Division and to relate team objectives to the overall, 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, solve 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 (team members, upper management, 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, starting 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, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.

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 technology and hardware which is subject to European and US export control regulations & security clearance by their national security administrations.

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, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.

According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States*. When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates and secondly to external candidates from under-represented 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.

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.