Earth Observation Platforms Lead for Security & Defense

VITO; Mol; Hybride; EUR 90 000 - 130 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Onsite in Mol with flexible remote

International environment

Competitive salary package

Training and development

Résumé du poste

VITO in Mol, Belgium, seeks a Project Lead to steer Earth Observation platform capabilities for security, defense and resilience programs, including ground segment work for European initiatives. You translate stakeholder needs into secure, scalable services and guide projects from proposal to delivery, coordinating international partners.

You will collaborate with researchers, IT architects and software engineers to shape roadmaps for dual‑use EO services that enable rapid access to reliable

Qualifications

• Master's or doctoral degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Geomatics, or a related field.
• Demonstrated track record in working with Earth Observation data and services, including practical experience with mission processing, analytics and derived applications for civil, security or defense use cases.
• Proven experience in writing and coordinating successful project proposals for the European Space Agency, Horizon Europe, the European Defense Fund, or comparable national security and defense research programs.
• Demonstrated experience in managing international consortia, including partner coordination, work package management, and conflict resolution, ideally within a defense, security or dual‑use research context.
• Proven track record in managing digital platforms, data ecosystems, or cloud‑based services.
• Technical affinity with VHR data, openEO, STAC, cloud‑native geospatial tools and GEO‑AI components such as embeddings, AI agents and automated analytics workflows or standards such as OGC and STANAG is a strong asset.
• Understanding of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), situational awareness, or geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) concepts is an asset.
• Strong presentation skills with the ability to engage both technical and non‑technical stakeholders, including defense and governmental audiences, at European and international levels.
• At least five years of project management experience in Earth Observation, space, digital platforms, security or defense.
• Eligibility to obtain a national security clearance is required for certain assignments; given the sensitivity of some programs, EU or NATO nationality may be a prerequisite.

Responsabilités

• Co‑define the technical innovation strategy for Earth Observation platforms supporting security, defense and resilience, including the ground segment of the European Resilience from Space program.
• Identify opportunities to integrate Copernicus, commercial, governmental and VHR data sources into secure, operational workflows for situational awareness and intelligence use cases.
• Lead the preparation and coordination of project proposals for ESA, Horizon Europe, the European Defense Fund and related security, defense and resilience programs.
• Build, coordinate, and manage international consortia comprising research institutions, industry partners, and public sector organizations across multiple European countries.
• Negotiate consortium agreements, define work package structures, and allocate resources and responsibilities among partners, taking into account security classification and export control requirements where applicable.
• Maintain and expand strategic partnerships with European and Belgian research institutions, space agencies, defense organizations, and Earth Observation industry partners to strengthen consortium positions.
• Engage with Belgian Defense, ESA, the European Commission, the EU Satellite Centre and NATO‑related innovation bodies to position VITO's capabilities in emerging governmental Earth Observation services.
• Lead the end‑to‑end implementation of technical solutions, ensuring timely delivery and optimal resource allocation across multiple concurrent projects, including projects involving controlled or sensitive information.
• Coordinate project activities with European Space Agency technical officers, Horizon Europe and European Defense Fund project officers, NATO DIANA program staff, and consortium partners.
• Manage project budgets, ensuring compliance with European Space Agency, European Commission and European Defense Fund financial regulations, as well as applicable security and export control reporting requirements.
• Prepare and deliver project reviews, progress reports, and technical documentation according to program requirements, including documentation handled under controlled or classified information procedures where relevant.
• Serve as the main point of contact between technical teams, management, and external partners, including defense and governmental stakeholders, ensuring transparent and effective communication within applicable confidentiality constraints.
• Oversee and coordinate daily operational activities to maintain and enhance the service quality and resilience of Earth Observation platforms, including those supporting security and defense operations.
• Track key performance indicators to evaluate service quality and operational efficiency, initiating improvements as needed.
• Identify potential risks, including operational, technical and security‑related risks, and develop mitigation strategies to ensure project stability, continuity and resilience.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and security awareness, encouraging innovation and the adoption of best practices across all technical and operational areas.

Connaissances

Presentation skills

English fluency

Geospatial data experience

Formation

Master's/PhD in Engineering / CS / Earth Sciences / Geomatics

Outils

Cloud platforms

OGC standards

STAC

openEO

Description du poste

VITO in Mol, Belgium, seeks a Project Lead to steer Earth Observation platform capabilities for security, defense and resilience programs, including ground segment work for European initiatives. You translate stakeholder needs into secure, scalable services and guide projects from proposal to delivery, coordinating international partners.

You will collaborate with researchers, IT architects and software engineers to shape roadmaps for dual‑use EO services that enable rapid access to reliable