Head of the CSG Operations and Kourou Office Division

European Space Agency - ESA; Arrondissement de Cayenne; On-site; EUR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

ESA, based in Kourou, French Guiana, seeks a strategic Head of the CSG Operations and Kourou Office Division to lead infrastructure and operational activities at Europe’s Spaceport. You will coordinate with CNES, industry partners and authorities to ensure safety, compliance and readiness for current and future launches.

The role requires a master's degree in engineering or related discipline and 15+ years of relevant experience, with proven leadership, governance and external-relations

Qualifications

• Master's degree in engineering, aerospace engineering, systems engineering or related discipline.
• Minimum of 15 years of relevant professional experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee infrastructure, operations and related activities at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.
• Coordinate with CNES, industry and authorities to ensure safety, compliance and readiness for launches.
• Develop long-term spaceport strategy and monitor ESA-funded contracts and investments.
• Lead, motivate and develop a multi-disciplinary team across functions.

Skills

Program management

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Budgeting & cost control

Risk management

Strategic planning

Space industry knowledge

Education

Master's degree in engineering or related discipline

Job description

Head of the CSG Operations and Kourou Office Division

Job Requisition ID: 20987

Date Posted: 19 October 2026

Closing Date: 9 November 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication Method: Internal & External

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

Directorate: Space Transportation

Workplace:

Kourou, FR

Grade Band: A5 - A5

Location

Kourou, French Guiana

Description

Head of the CSG Operations and Kourou Office Division (STS-IG), reporting to the Head of the Infrastructure and Value Chain Department (STS-I) within the Directorate of Space Transportation (STS), with a functional reporting line to the Director of Space Transportation for strategic matters. The Division is responsible for overseeing, coordinating and monitoring infrastructure, operational support and associated activities at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana (CSG). The Division ensures that spaceport infrastructure, common assets and supporting services remain available, safe, compliant and fit for current and future launch operations. ESA provides significant funding for infrastructure, facilities and operational activities at CSG. These activities are implemented by CNES for range-related functions, and by industrial stakeholders for launcher and propellant production, integration and launch operations. The Division is responsible for representing ESA’s interests and ensuring the effective implementation, monitoring and optimisation of ESA-funded programmes, contracts and investments. The spaceport is currently undergoing a major transformation through modernisation and adaptation programmes aimed at improving efficiency, resilience and sustainability, while accommodating an increasing diverse range of launch services and space transportation systems. The Division contributes to defining and implementing the long-term evolution strategy for the spaceport and its infrastructure, ensuring alignment with the future needs of European space transportation programmes. As Head of the ESA Office in Kourou, you will act as ESA’s senior representative in French Guiana and ensure effective coordination with local and national authorities, institutional partners, industrial stakeholders and the wider space community. You will also be responsible for ESA’s external relations, communication and outreach activities in the territory. In this role, you will contribute to maintaining and developing Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana as a modern, efficient, sustainable and competitive multi-user spaceport supporting Europe’s long term access to space.

Duties

The Division is responsible for overseeing, coordinating and monitoring infrastructure, operational support and associated activities at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana (CSG). The Division ensures that spaceport infrastructure, common assets and supporting services remain available, safe, compliant and fit for current and future launch operations. ESA provides significant funding for infrastructure, facilities and operational activities at CSG. These activities are implemented by CNES for range-related functions, and by industrial stakeholders for launcher and propellant production, integration and launch operations. The Division is responsible for representing ESA’s interests and ensuring the effective implementation, monitoring and optimisation of ESA-funded programmes, contracts and investments. The spaceport is currently undergoing a major transformation through modernisation and adaptation programmes aimed at improving efficiency, resilience and sustainability, while accommodating an increasing diverse range of launch services and space transportation systems. The Division contributes to defining and implementing the long-term evolution strategy for the spaceport and its infrastructure, ensuring alignment with the future needs of European space transportation programmes.

Technical competencies

• Demonstrated experience in the management of complex engineering, infrastructure or operational programmes, including planning and implementation, schedule and cost control, risk management and performance monitoring.
• Solid knowledge of ground segment, launch site and/or operational infrastructure systems, including their design, development, integration, qualification, operation, maintenance and evolution.
• Proven professional experience within the space sector, preferably in a space agency, launch organisation or industrial environment involved in the development, operation or maintenance of critical infrastructure and mission-critical systems.
• Experience in assessing and justifying infrastructure investments, including cost-benefit analysis, return-on-investment evaluations and the preparation of business cases to support strategic decision-making.
• Good understanding of launcher and payload preparation activities, launch campaigns, launch operations and associated ground infrastructure.
• Demonstrated experience in managing activities involving multiple stakeholders, including institutional partners, industry and operational organisations, in complex programme and operational environments.
• Knowledge of safety, security, regulatory and compliance frameworks applicable to operational infrastructure and space transportation activities.
• Familiarity with contractual, procurement, industrial policy and governance aspects associated with the implementation of large-scale infrastructure and operational programmes.

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 engineering, aerospace engineering, systems engineering, physics, industrial engineering or another relevant discipline is required for this post together with a minimum of 15 years of relevant professional experience.

Additional Requirements

• Substantial experience in the management of complex infrastructure, engineering or operational activities, preferably within the space sector.
• Proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a multi-disciplinary team in the context of complex technical infrastructure projects.
• 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.
• 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.

• Proven ability to drive performance, promote accountability and support the professional development of staff through coaching, delegation, empowerment and constructive feedback.
• Demonstrated ability to manage change and contribute to organisational transformation in a large and complex organisation.
• Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise activities, manage competing demands and deliver results in a dynamic operational environment.
• Proven ability to represent the Agency’s interests effectively in dealings with external stakeholders, including public authorities, institutional partners, industry and international organisations.
• Strong customer and service orientation, with the ability to manage challenging situations proactively, constructively and diplomatically.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively in a multicultural and international environment; experience in the management of multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders in an international environment is required.
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a complex institutional environment and to maintain constructive relationships with public authorities, industrial partners and international stakeholders.

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.