HydRON Lead Space Segment Engineer
Job Requisition ID: 19497
Date Posted: 17 April 2025
Closing Date: 8 May 2025 23:59 CET/CEST
Publication: Internal & External
Type of Contract: Permanent
Directorate: Connectivity and Secure Communications
Workplace:Noordwijk, NL
Grade Band: A2 - A4

DESCRIPTION

Lead Space Segment Engineer in the HydRON Project within the Satellite Programmes Department in the Directorate of Connectivity and Secure Communications.
The HydRON project aims to demonstrate the world’s first all-optical, multi-orbit network in space, delivering terabit-per-second capacity. This initiative extends terrestrial fibre optic networks into space, creating “Fibre in the Sky” and “Internet beyond Cloud(s).”
The project focuses on the development of critical optical communication technologies by European and Canadian industry up to system in-orbit demonstration, which will support future institutional and commercial space telecommunications missions that require advanced, next-generation communication capabilities.
You will report to the HydRON Project Manager for all activities related to your duties and will be responsible for managing and implementing all space segment activities concerning your Hydron Element. We are looking to fill two positions: Lead Space Segment Engineer for Element #1 and Lead Space Segment Engineer for Element #2.
You will be responsible for developing a long-term partnership with industry partners by fostering reliable technical collaboration and steering innovation developments and digitalisation procurement.

EDUCATION

A master’s degree in a relevant engineering domain is required for this post.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

You should have the ability to adapt to new working methods and environments. You must be able to build supportive working relationships, communicate effectively and contribute to fostering positive attitudes to change and, therefore thus, to the success of an innovative programme.

• The potential to manage individuals or a team in a project setting;
• The ability to organise their 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;
• Strong results 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 would be an asset, as is would international experience, i.e. outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities.
Previous project experience involving optical communications would be an asset.

Your tasks and responsibilities will include the following:

• Contributinge to the management of the industrial activities by leading the specification, design, procurement, development, and verification/acceptance of the satellite and its equipment throughout the project lifetime.
• Monitoring the industrial progress and the design evolution at for the satellite and its equipment, ensuringe it remains consistencyt with the technical and programmatic requirements.
• Monitoring industrial verification activities to ensure proper verification, including resolving non-conformances; supporting the assessment of deviations and, waivers.
• Coordinatinge with the PA and System teams during integration and testing activities for the resolution of activity deviations.
• Contributinge to the autonomy and operability concept and supporting the FDIR definition, as necessary.
• Providinge regular reporting to project management, and identifying technical risk areas, proposing and monitoring mitigation measures.
• Contributinge to the management of the schedule and proposinge schedule risk mitigation actions.
• Coordinatinge various project engineering domains to cover the procurement of the hardware under your responsibility.
• Leading the specialised engineering support from the ESA Technology, Engineering and Quality and Operations Directorates related to the space segment and any allocated team.
• Monitoring the industrial preparation for launch and coordinating in-flight spacecraft commissioning and verification activities in collaboration with project teams and ground teams, as necessary.

Technical competencies
Multi-disciplinary and comprehensive knowledge of equipment qualification, satellite design and assembly integration & test
Knowledge of ESA and mission/spacecraft development, verification and procurement processes
Significant relevant experience in ESA space systems development, verification and project review processes
Understanding of system requirements and interfaces for Satcom projects
Understanding of industrial costs, schedule and project risk management processes