Head of the Space Segment Section

European Space Agency - ESA; Noordwijk; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

European Space Agency (ESA) seeks a Head of the Space Segment Section in the Future Missions Department. Based at Harwell (UK) or Noordwijk (Netherlands), you will lead the team responsible for developing satellite communications space segment technology and products.

You will manage staffing, budgets, and cross-ESA collaboration to deliver strategic aerospace solutions. Applicants should have a master’s degree in a relevant field with 8 years of experience (or a bachelor’s with 12 years).

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant domain is required with 8 years of relevant professional experience, or a Bachelor's with 12 years total experience.
• Experience in managing and reporting on large technical programmes and teams.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with proven ability to drive performance and collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Space Segment Section within the Future Missions Department.
• Manage activities for development of telecommunication space segment technology and products.
• Coordinate with ESA Directorates and external stakeholders; report to ESA management and delegations.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Technological vision

Education

Master's degree in a relevant domain

Bachelor's degree + 4 years of relevant experience

Job description

Head of the Space Segment Section

Job Requisition ID: 20477

Date Posted: 10 August 2026

Closing Date: 6 September 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication: Internal & External

Type of Appointment: 4 years, extendable to indefinite

Directorate: Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity

Workplace:

Harwell, GB Noordwijk, NL

Grade Band: A2 - A4

Location

ECSAT, Harwell, United Kingdom or ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description

Head of the Space Segment Section, Technology and Products Management Division, Future Missions Department, Directorate for Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity.

In this role, you will be responsible for managing activities devoted to the development of telecommunication space segment technology and products.

Duties

• initiating, implementing and managing activities devoted to the development of satellite space (payload and platform) segment technology and products for the satellite communication market funded by ARTES Industrial Competitiveness (IC), as well as by the Strategic Programme Lines;
• providing regular technical, programmatic and financial reporting to ESA management and ESA Member State delegations;
• managing the Section, including the preparation of manpower plans and resource requirements;
• providing engineering support to projects and activities with an emphasis on the adoption of innovative and disruptive technologies in the satellite communication domain;
• identifying and defining technology needs for future satellite communication space segment products and their associated roadmaps;
• coordinating the required support provided by other ESA organisational units, such as the Directorate of Operations, the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality and the Directorate of Commercialisation and Industry Partnership;
• supporting the preparation of the yearly ESA-initiated ARTES workplans;
• establishing close collaboration with other functional elements of the Department and Directorate as necessary;
• supporting the promotion of the ARTES IC programme and the ARTES socioeconomic impact analysis;
• supporting the development and maintenance of dashboards for the monitoring and control of internal resources.

Technical competencies

Experience in managing and monitoring technology and product development activities carried out by industry for satellite communication applications

Knowledge of ESA and industrial development, verification and procurement processes

Knowledge of the satcom market and associated technology trends in the space segment domain

Background in the technical domains covered by the position

Experience of interacting with the space industry, ESA Member State delegations and stakeholders

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation

Operational Efficiency

Fostering Cooperation

Relationship Management

Continuous Improvement

Forward Thinking

For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

Education And Professional Experience

A master's degree in a relevant domain is required for this post together with 8 years of relevant professional experience. Alternatively, candidates with a bachelor's degree, complemented by an additional four (4) years of relevant professional experience can be considered.

Additional Requirements

• The potential to manage individuals or a team;
• The ability to organise individual and team activities and ensure a motivating work environment;
• Strong leadership capabilities, with proven relationship management and communication skills;
• The ability to drive your team’s performance, developing your people by encouraging learning, delegating responsibility and giving regular and constructive feedback;
• Strong problem-solving skills to deal with day-to-day operational challenges, together with demonstrated planning and organisational skills;
• A strong result orientation with the ability to set priorities and present practical solutions both orally and in writing;
• The ability to manage challenging situations proactively and constructively and to be customer-focused.

People management experience is an asset, as is international experience, i.e. outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities.

Experience in managing complex research and development programmes, preferably in the telecommunications domain, is desirable

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.

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.