ASTRIS Project Manager

European Space Agency - ESA; Paris; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Global exposure

Job summary

European Space Agency in Paris leads the ASTRIS project within the Ariane Programme and Directorate of Space Transportation. The role covers technical and programmatic execution, budget oversight, and coordination with TEC and national partners to ensure successful development and exploitation planning.

You will manage a diverse team, liaising with stakeholders, preparing plans and reports, and driving risk management and contractual activities across the project lifecycle in a dynamic,

Qualifications

• Master's degree in aerospace engineering with focus on space systems and technologies.
• 10 years of relevant professional experience.
• Direct experience in the development of space programmes.
• Proven experience leading and developing a project team.
• Ability to provide strategic direction and drive performance.
• Excellent leadership, relationship management and communication skills.
• Mobility and international experience is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Manage technical and programmatic implementation of the ASTRIS development, incl. space and ground control segments.
• Prepare exploitation organization and mission readiness.
• Prepare statements of works, RFQs, evaluate offers and negotiate procurement.
• Interface with industry and manage project contracts.
• Lead Astris team with TEC support and external partners.
• Prepare project plans and organise integrated reviews.
• Manage overall programme budget.
• Weekly status reporting to line management.
• Prepare documents for programme board interfacing.

Skills

Project management techniques

Cost & schedule knowledge

ESA development processes

Space systems design & testing

Interfaces with external partners

PA standards & risk management

Leadership & communication

Education

Master's degree in aerospace engineering

Job description

ASTRIS Project Manager

Job Requisition ID: 20985

Date Posted: 13 October 2026

Closing Date: 3 November 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication Method: Internal & External

Type of Appointment (learn more): 4 years, extendable to indefinite

Directorate: Space Transportation

Grade Band: A5 - A5

Location

ESA Headquarters, Paris, France

Description

ASTRIS Project Manager, Ariane Programme, Directorate of Space Transportation

Under the authority of the Head of the Ariane Programme, you will be responsible for the technical and programmatic implementation of the ASTRIS development and the preparation of its exploitation, managing all relevant resources and contracts. As such, you will be responsible for the Astris funds, georeturn, risks, margins and schedules in cooperation with the Business Unit Control Office.

Duties

• Managing the technical and programmatic implementation of the ASTRIS development, composed of a space segment and a ground control segment, including specifications elaboration, design, development, qualification assembly of the first article.
• Preparing the exploitation organization with the various stakeholder and contributing to the preparation of the first missions.
• Preparing the relevant Statement of works, request for quotation, evaluation of industrial offers and conducting negotiations related to procurement in your area of responsibility.
• Interfacing with industry for the implementation of the project’s activities, managing the industrial contract(s).
• Managing the team in charge of Astris and the associated support from the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality (TEC) and the possible integrated support provided by national organisations.
• Preparing the relevant project plans and organizing the integrated project reviews.
• Managing the overall budget allocated to the programme.
• Reporting of the status and criticalities of the activities in your domain of responsibility on a weekly basis with line management.
• Preparing the relevant document for the reporting and interfacing with concerned delegations and to the programme board.

You will be assisted by a project team under your direct responsibility, and will receive engineering, PA, safety, procurement and project control support from the Ariane 6 program teams and associated support functions.

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

Technical competencies

• Knowledge of project management techniques
• Knowledge of cost and schedule aspects related to area of responsibility
• Knowledge of ESA's development, verification and procurement processes
• Background in the design, development, assembly, integration, testing and acceptance of systems for space applications
• Knowledge of other technical domains with interfaces to own area of responsibility
• Knowledge of space system development and PA standards
• Knowledge of project risk management processes

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 And Professional Experience

A master's degree in aerospace engineering with focus space systems and technologies is required for this post together with 10 years of relevant professional experience.

Additional Requirements

• Direct experience in the development of space programmes
• Proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a team in a project environment
• The ability to provide strategic direction to the individuals and teams within the Astris project 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
• A proven track record of representing the Agency’s interests to external interfaces
• 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, 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 [e-mail].

Important Information and Disclaimer

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations & eligible to acquire the 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, 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.