Project Control Assistant

Starion Group; Harwell; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

ESA’s CIP Directorate is seeking a Project Control Assistant to provide project administration, planning and reporting support across CIP programmes and projects at ESTEC Noordwijk or Harwell ECSAT.

The role will involve supporting procurement actions, data management, governance and reporting to ensure timely, compliant delivery of ESA initiatives in a multinational setting.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Project Management, Finance, Economics or a related field.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in project support, administration, procurement, finance or a similar role.
• Good organisational and analytical skills.
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team in an international and multicultural environment.
• Solution-oriented mindset with strong customer-focused communication skills.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken.

Responsibilities

• Supporting procurement and project control activities across ESA programmes.
• Implementing and managing procurement actions, contracts and financial documentation in ESA systems.
• Monitoring workflows, approvals and procurement performance indicators.
• Maintaining procurement, geo-return and planning data, ensuring accuracy and consistency.
• Supporting contract management, milestone tracking and contract close-out activities.
• Producing reports, KPIs and financial analyses for programme management.
• Contributing to process optimisation and the implementation of new tools and procedures.
• Supporting manpower planning, budget monitoring and audit activities.
• Coordinating governance documentation and approval processes.
• Liaising with internal and external stakeholders to support successful programme delivery.

Skills

5 years exp

Organisational skills

Analytical skills

Autonomy

Teamwork

Customer focus

English fluency

Education

Master’s degree in Business Administration, Project Management, Finance, Economics or related field

Tools

Excel

Job description

Project Control Assistant

Location: Harwell , United Kingdom Noordwijk , Netherlands

Application deadline: 30 September 2026 Reference number: 0557

Are you looking for a new opportunity to take your career to a higher orbit? To join an international group with a successful track record in Space Engineering? A job adapted to your career ambitions and in which you could have an impact for the years to come?

We are looking for a Project Control Assistant to to work at ESA’s premises in either Noordwijk, The Netherlands (ESTEC), or Harwell, United Kingdom (ECSAT), where you will provide project administration support across a portfolio of Commercialisation and Industry Partnership (CIP) programmes and projects.

The role will support project administration, planning, risk and schedule management, configuration control, documentation management and reporting activities, helping to ensure the successful delivery of ESA initiatives.

About the client and location

ESA’s Commercialisation and Industry Partnership (CIP) Directorate supports initiatives that help transform innovative space technologies into commercial opportunities while strengthening collaboration with industry across Europe. To support the effective delivery of these programmes and projects, we are looking for a Project Control Assistant to provide project administration, planning and reporting support.

Tasks and activities

The scope of work will include:

• Supporting procurement and project control activities across ESA programmes.
• Implementing and managing procurement actions, contracts and financial documentation in ESA systems.
• Monitoring workflows, approvals and procurement performance indicators.
• Maintaining procurement, geo-return and planning data, ensuring accuracy and consistency.
• Supporting contract management, milestone tracking and contract close-out activities.
• Producing reports, KPIs and financial analyses for programme management.
• Contributing to process optimisation and the implementation of new tools and procedures.
• Supporting manpower planning, budget monitoring and audit activities.
• Coordinating governance documentation and approval processes.
• Liaising with internal and external stakeholders to support successful programme delivery.

Skills and experience

The following skills and experience are mandatory:

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Project Management, Finance, Economics or a related field.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in project support, administration, procurement, finance or a similar role.
• Good organisational and analytical skills.
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team in an international and multicultural environment.
• Solution-oriented mindset with strong customer-focused communication skills.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken.

Why should you apply?

• You will have the opportunity to work within leading space organisations across Europe.
• We encourage everyone to think outside the box and to push the boundaries of traditional knowledge. This role is an opportunity to join a forward-thinking company and allows for a deeper understanding of the industry.
• To be part of a company that values integrity, inspiration, care and collaboration.
• Benefits include: competitive remuneration packages; unique career opportunities, including working in other countries; access to training and development programmes; flexible relocation support.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer,committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all candidates, irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.

As part of our commitment to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process, we will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term condition can be their best during the recruitment process.