Head of the Earth Observation Projects Department

EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY; Noordwijk; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

European Space Agency in the Netherlands seeks a Head of the Earth Observation Projects Department to lead the design, development and management of ESA Earth observation missions up to launch and in-orbit verification. You will direct project teams, oversee schedule and cost frameworks, and liaise with industry, Member States and partners.

You will manage managers, drive performance, and shape long-term departmental strategy while collaborating across ESA directorates to advance future missions

Qualifications

• Master's in engineering or physics is required for this post.
• 15 years of relevant professional experience.
• Experience managing managers and a large entity encompassing several teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of the space segment for ESA Earth observation missions up to launch and in-orbit commissioning.
• Direct planning, distribution and monitoring of projects.
• Ensure the approved mission requirements are implemented within schedule and cost at completion.
• Interface with industry, member States and partner organisations on technical and programmatic issues.
• Identify, assess, manage and report health and safety risks in area of responsibility.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

People management

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

International experience

Education

Master's in engineering or physics

Job description

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Head of the Earth Observation Projects Department

Job Requisition ID: 21152

Date Posted: 23 October 2026

Closing Date: 20 November 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication Method: Internal & External

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

Directorate: Earth Observation Programmes

Reporting directly to the Director of Earth Observation Programmes, the Head of the Earth Observation Projects Department is responsible for the overall system definition and management of approved ESA Earth observation programmes up to and including launch and in-orbit verification.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• leading the teams responsible for the design and implementation of the space segment of approved Earth observation missions undertaken by ESA (including Earth Explorer, Scout, Earth Watch, meteorological, Copernicus, ERS-EO and national programmes) up to and including launch and in-orbit commissioning;
• directing, planning, distributing and monitoring projects;
• ensuring and endorsing the consolidation of the final programmatic framework of the future missions to be implemented (cost at completion, schedule, procurement and geo-return);
• ensuring that the approved mission requirements are implemented within the agreed schedule and established cost at completion;
• interfacing with industry, as needed, to support project teams;
• interfacing on technical and programmatic issues with Member States and partner organisations, for example EUMETSAT for meteorological missions and the European Commission for Copernicus missions;
• implementing ESA industrial policy for the elements under your responsibility;
• developing and motivating departmental staff members by assessing performance, encouraging learning and development, delegating responsibilities and providing regular and constructive feedback;
• encouraging synergy across project teams and creating a sense of unity and purpose between teams and across ESA, recognising team success and supporting any relevant ESA corporate activities;
• dealing effectively with sensitive or difficult situations, liaising with Human Resources as required;
• ensuring that a long-term, strategic view is taken for the Department and effectively communicating that strategy and vision;
• maintaining close cooperation with all EOP departments: Future Missions and Architecture (EOP-F) for the preparation of future missions; EO Mission Management and Ground Segment (EOP-G) for ground segment aspects; and Science, Applications and Climate (EOP-S) for science aspects and commercialisation.

You will be assisted by programme managers and project managers, as well as by the Project Control and Management Support and System Support functions. In carrying out your duties, you will liaise closely with other departments and offices within the Directorate, and draw on the support of other Agency directorates.

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

Experience in the management and development of complex space systems

Interaction with European space industry at the highest level, including contract negotiation

Project and technical management

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

A master's in engineering or physics is required for this post, together with 15 years of relevant professional experience.

Additional requirements

You should have:

• the ability to provide strategic direction to individuals and teams and relate team objectives to the overall and evolving organisational goals and context;
• the ability to anticipate problems, solve complex issues and relate situations to their context, as well as the ability to support others (team members, senior management and other stakeholders) in this process;
• previous experience of managing managers and managing a large entity encompassing several teams.

You should also have:

• proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a team of managers;
• 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 take solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions of a high standard and with integrity, as well as the ability to support others (team members, upper management and 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 and 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.