DirecciónEUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY
ICI Principal Instrument Engineer
Vacancy in the Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes.
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.
This post is classified A2-A4 on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale.
Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Description
Meteorological Operational Second Generation (MetOp-SG) is a collaborative programme together with EUMETSAT for six low Earth orbiting meteorological satellites. This covers two series of satellites with three satellites in each series. The Satellite-A series carries visible/infrared imagers, infrared/microwave sounders, a radio occultation sounder and the Sentinel-5 instrument, and the Satellite-B series carries microwave imagers, an active C-band scatterometer, a radio occultation sounder and a data collection payload. The first Satellite-A and Satellite-B launches are both planned in 2025.
You will report to the MetOp-SG Payload Manager and be responsible for all aspects of the Ice Cloud Imager (ICI) instrument’s design, development, testing, performance and in-orbit activities under the MetOp-SG Programme.
Duties
Your tasks and responsibilities will include:
- managing and monitoring all aspects of the instrument specification, design, implementation and testing, ensuring full compliance is maintained (and demonstrated) with the system-level technical and programmatic requirements;
- monitoring the industrial progress and design evolution at instrument- and equipment-level, ensuring they remain consistent with MetOp-SG technical and programmatic requirements;
- completing delivery and acceptance of the remaining instrument flight models and flight spares;
- providing early warnings of potential problem areas and ensuring appropriate mitigation actions are identified and implemented;
- ensuring that the operability of the instrument is fully compatible with the overall MetOp-SG satellite operations, observability and availability requirements;
- coordinating specialist support as necessary;
- monitoring the definition and execution of instrument calibration, ensuring availability of key data for processing;
- preparing for the recurrent instrument long-term storage as well as the necessary recalibration;
- ensuring timely availability of inputs for on-ground characterisation and in-orbit commissioning campaigns;
- participating in instrument and satellite project reviews, coordinating all aspects relating to the instrument;
- monitoring, for the three microwave radiometer instruments (MicroWave Sounder, MicroWave Imager and Ice Cloud Imager), the development of performance assessment tools, including instrument simulators and models in industry or in-house, and analysing impacts on the mission performance resulting from deviations during the development of the instrument or of the system;
- monitoring the development of level 1 processing algorithms for data from the radiometer instruments and associated ground processor prototype;
- processing payload level-0 data received from industry to check consistency with the system simulator and support any anomaly investigations;
- processing and analysing the necessary data required for the product generation;
- interfacing and coordinating with the Science Team and user groups in conjunction with EUMETSAT;
- supporting the satellite AIV activities and the preparation of the launch campaign, and performing the in-orbit commissioning of the radiometer instruments;
- reporting regularly on progress, issues, risks and the schedule to the MetOp-SG Payload Manager.
Technical competencies
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
Education
A master's in a relevant engineering or scientific discipline is required.
Additional requirements
Previous experience working on a multi-agency, cooperative programme would be an advantage.
You should also have:
- solid hands-on experience in instrument development;
- strong problem-solving skills to deal with day-to-day operational challenges, together with demonstrated planning and organisational skills;
- strong result orientation with the ability to set priorities and present practical solutions;
- the ability to manage challenging situations proactively and constructively;
- good oral, written and presentational communication skills.
Other information
For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the ESA Competency Framework.
For further information please visit: Professionals,What we offerand FAQ
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.
The Agency may require applicants to undergo selection tests.
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 email contact.human.resources@esa.int.
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Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia.
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*.
In accordance with the European Space Agency’s security procedures and as part of the selection process, successful candidates will be required to undergo basic screening before appointment conducted by an external background screening service.
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.
*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.
