Payload Resident Expert [Freelance]

Novaspace; Toulouse; On-site; EUR 80,000 - 100,000; Part time

Job summary

Novaspace is seeking a freelance program manager in Toulouse, France, to support the satellite payload program. This role encompasses responsibilities such as leadership of the PMO payload team, effective monitoring of the program, and ensuring compliance with spacecraft payload specifications.

The ideal candidate should have a minimum of 15 years of experience in managing AIT programs and a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering. Strong leadership and communication skills are essential.

Qualifications

• 15 years or more managing AIT programs, either on a manufacturer’s or customer’s assignment.
• Extensive satellite system design and AIT experience.
• Payload and TT&C system and sub-system design and engineering.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the effective achievement of functional objectives as part of the PMO payload team.
• Provide full monitoring of the payload and TT&C design.
• Produce accurate progress reports on the Payload.

Skills

General management skills

Strong leadership skills

Organizational and motivational skills

Achievement orientation

Analytical skills

Good communication skills

Education

MS Electrical Engineering certification or equivalent

Job description

Job Objective

Responsible for supporting the definition, design, development and oversight of the satellite program in the area of Payload. Responsible for managing the assembly, integration and testing of the customer payload, ensuring timely delivery and compliance of the spacecraft payload and TT&C subsystem and associated units. This role is intended for a freelance third-party consultant.

Locations

On-site presence required.

Key Accountabilities

• Leadership: Ensure the effective achievement of functional objectives as part of the PMO payload team. Successfully engage with the manufacturer to develop an open and co-operative atmosphere, and ensure the continuing goodwill and dedication of the manufacturer’s team.
• Monitoring the program: Provide full and continuous monitoring of the payload and TT&C design, assembly, integration and test campaign, assessing its performance against specifications and requirements, identifying any potential non‑compliance areas early, and keeping a strong focus on any issues that may impact the programme schedule.
• Provide guidance to the PMO Director on payload and TT&C related issues and liaise with the Space Segment Engineering section, which retains the Design Authority for the spacecraft, on any changes, modifications or waivers affecting the payload.
• Work closely with the Product Assurance and Platform members of the PMO team to ensure that the whole team is up to date on any developments on the Payload area that may impact their areas.
• Activities:
  • Preparation and participation in all payload unit design, manufacturing and testing review meetings.
  • Preparation and participation in all payload subsystem design, manufacturing and testing review meetings.
  • Preparation and participation in all system design, manufacturing and testing review meetings.
  • Preparation and participation in the in-Orbit Test Campaign.
• Management Reports: Produce accurate progress reports to provide timely feedback on the progress of the Payload.

Performance indicators

• Timely response to actions.
• Quality and reliability of advice and recommendations.
• Quality of reporting.

Communications & Working Relationships

• External: Manufacturer.
• Internal: PMO Team, Customer Technical Team.

Qualifications, Experience & Skills

• Minimum qualifications: MS Electrical Engineering certification or equivalent.
• Minimum experience:
• 15 years or more managing AIT programs, either on a manufacturer’s or a customer’s assignment.
• Extensive satellite system design and AIT experience.
• Payload and TT&C system and sub‑system design and engineering.
• Payload and TT&C equipment development.
• Payload and TT&C AIT campaigns.
• Satellite operations.
• Extensive experience on project management.
• Management of engineering teams.
• Management of satellite AIT programmes.
• Experience working with satellite manufacturers.
• Job-specific skills:
• General management skills.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Organizational and motivational skills.
• Achievement orientation and result oriented.
• Analytical skills.
• Good communication skills.