Copernicus LSTM Satellite Engineering and AIV Manager

EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY; Noordwijk; Sur place; EUR 80 000 - 110 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

The European Space Agency is seeking a Satellite Engineering and AIV Manager for the Copernicus Land Surface Temperature Monitoring (LSTM) project within the Earth Observation Programme. You will lead the engineering team for the space segment, interfaces with launcher authorities, and supervise AIT/AIV activities across phases B2/C/D/E1.

You will report to the LSTM Project Manager and collaborate with other directorates for technical support, risk management, and project reporting.

Qualifications

• Experience in spacecraft design, development, and assembly, integration and verification/testing.
• Experience in management and monitoring of industrial activities, including reviews.
• Experience in satellite early operations (launch and early orbit phase and in-orbit commissioning).

Responsabilités

• Lead satellite engineering and AIV activities ensuring compliance with requirements and interfaces.
• Coordinate design, development, test and verification of satellite subsystems.
• Manage launch campaign preparation and on-orbit verification tasks.
• Liaise with project sections and Copernicus entities to harmonise requirements and procurements.

Connaissances

Spacecraft design

AIV management

Project leadership

Systems engineering

Formation

Master's degree in engineering

Bachelor's degree + 4 years experience

Description du poste

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Copernicus LSTM Satellite Engineering and AIV Manager

Job Requisition ID: 20959

Date Posted: 6 October 2026

Closing Date: 27 October 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication Method: Internal & External

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

Directorate: Earth Observation Programmes

Satellite Engineering and AIV Manager in the Copernicus Land Surface Temperature Monitoring (LSTM) Project, within the Copernicus Space Segment Programme in the Earth Observation Projects Department, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes.

We are recruiting a Satellite Engineering and AIV Manager for the Copernicus Land Surface Temperature Monitoring (LSTM) mission, which is currently in Phase D.

You will report to the LSTM Project Manager for all technical, programmatic and financial matters and you will work within the LSTM Project team. You will interface with and receive support from other project engineers, and will also receive specialised technical support from the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

The assignment covers activities relating to Phases B2/C/D/E1 for prototype and recurrent satellite(s), including storage, where applicable.

Duties

Your principal tasks and responsibilities will include:

• being responsible for satellite engineering (including classic engineering disciplines) and AIV aspects of the space segment, ensuring full consistency with system requirements and operational interfaces;
• consolidating and maintaining the satellite requirements, as well as the design, development, test and verification;
• monitoring the industrial work associated with satellite and ground support equipment procurement, ensuring full compliance with technical and programmatic requirements;
• defining, implementing and monitoring AIT/AIV activities of the satellite(s), platform(s), subsystems and units;
• consolidating and maintaining internal/external satellite interfaces and technical engineering budgets;
• being technically responsible for the design and procurement of spacecraft subsystems, including structure, thermal, propulsion, mechanisms, power (generation and storage) and avionics (AOCS, data handling and communications);
• supporting the LSTM System Section for all aspects related to onboard software development and validation;
• being responsible for defining, with the launcher authority, all interfaces between launcher and satellite;
• managing launch campaign preparation activities and execution;
• ensuring satellite in-orbit verification, contributing to overall mission system commissioning;
• leading, managing and motivating the Section engineering team;
• liaising closely with other project sections, providing engineering support and ensuring a consistent approach to the satellite and payload procurement, verification, launch- and in-orbit operations preparation and overall satellite performance;
• being responsible for anomaly handling and coordinating, with other Project sections, the handling of NRBs, the NCR process, RFD/W, etc.;
• coordinating and managing the necessary specialist technical support from other directorates;
• coordinating the Common Platform development together with the CRISTAL mission;
• coordinating with the Satellite Engineering and AIV Managers of the other Copernicus missions and the Copernicus Technical Coordinator to ensure a harmonised approach to the understanding, management and implementation of common engineering requirements and procurements;
• regularly reporting to the Project Manager on all aspects of satellite development, identifying risks and problem areas, and proposing mitigation actions;
• supporting the general project reporting tasks (monthly, QSR/QIR) and other Department-level support activities as required.

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

Experience in spacecraft design, development, and assembly, integration and verification/testing

Experience in the management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in reviews

Experience in satellite early operations (launch and early orbit phase and in-orbit commissioning)

Knowledge of all phases of the software development lifecycle

Experience in performance evaluation at mission and spacecraft level

Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking

(*esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/careers/ESA_Competency_Framework.pdf)

Education and professional experience

A master’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline is required for this post together with four years of relevant professional experience. Alternatively, candidates with a bachelor’s degree and an additional four years of relevant professional experience may be considered.

Additional requirements

You will lead a section of engineers and liaise closely with other project sections and other relevant Copernicus entities.

You will be supported by a team of engineers distributed across the Copernicus Space Component and will receive specialised engineering support from the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

You must also:

• have proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a team in a project;
• provide strategic direction to the individuals and teams within the project and relate team objectives to the overall and evolving organisational goals and context;
• drive performance and foster cooperation within and across teams throughout the organisation;
• have demonstrated excellent leadership, relationship management, and oral and written communication skills;
• have a proven track record of representing the Agency’s interests to external interfaces;
• have excellent cognitive, analytical, delegation, planning and organisational skills;
• anticipate problems, solve complex issues and relate situations to their context;
• reach solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions to a high standard and with integrity as well as supporting others (team members, upper management, other stakeholders) in this process.

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
In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level.

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

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.