Secure Connectivity Programme Preparatory Activities Implementation Manager
Job Requisition ID: 19680
Date Posted: 7 July 2025
Closing Date: 28 July 2025 23:59 CET/CEST
Publication: Internal & External
Type of Contract: Fixed-Term
Directorate: Connectivity and Secure Communications
Workplace:Noordwijk, NL
Grade: A2 - A4
This is a non-renewable post for a limited duration of four years.

DESCRIPTION

Secure Connectivity Programme Preparatory Activities Implementation Manager within the Secure Connectivity Department in the Directorate of Connectivity and Secure Communications.
The ESA Programme Related to EU Secure Connectivity, hereinafter referred to as Secure Connectivity, is intended to support the effective development and validation of the EU Secure Connectivity governmental infrastructure and the services provided by it, as well as the validation and demonstration of services based on the commercial infrastructure developed by the contractor or contractor(s) delivering the EU Secure Connectivity governmental infrastructure.
As part of the Programme’s Preparatory Activities, ESA has launched the procurement of several advanced system tools that will support ESA in the verification of deliveries and industry in the IRIS² development by making it possible to evaluate the proposed architecture, refine the technical requirements and simulate different end-to-end scenarios. The tools include system, ground, and space simulation testbeds, with a particular emphasis on network simulation and 5G protocols.
Reporting to the Head of the Secure Connectivity Programme and in close coordination with the Head of the Secure Connectivity System Office, you will be responsible for managing and coordinating the Preparatory Activities, ensuring on time delivery and compliance with the objective of supporting the development and validation of the IRIS² infrastructure. This includes ensuring the technical coherence of the tools, as well as their suitability/representativeness for simulate the IRIS² system.

EDUCATION

A master’s degree in engineering, physics or a relevant scientific field is required.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Direct experience of working with a commercial telecommunications company and operator would be a distinct advantage.
• Experience in public-private partnership projects would be an asset.
• Public speaking experience and the ability to conceptualise complex ideas would be beneficial.
• Experience of working in projects with a security dimension.

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• supporting the Systems, Space and Segment Offices in defining the needs for the IRIS² overall end-to-end system test beds and defining the corresponding implementation plan, taking into account the tools being developed in-house and the Phase 1 tools;
• managing the development and implementation of the various IRIS² Phase 1 tools and activities, coordinating with the different technical officers and stakeholders to ensure their timely delivery and integration within the project timeline;
• managing the development of internal simulation tools that will complement the Phase 1 tools to ensure that ESA develops a unified coherent testbed for the design and development of IRIS²;
• defining a common framework for the interfaces of each tool to ensure their interoperability; proposing and implementing a plan to ensure that all tools will work together; monitoring the interfaces to avoid changes that could impact other tools;
• organising and leading meetings with internal and external stakeholders to discuss tool development, milestones and deliverables;
• ensuring the tools meet the required technical specifications and performance criteria;
• providing technical guidance and support to the team members working on the development of the tools;
• collaborating with industry partners to demonstrate and validate the tools; ensuring good coordination with IRIS² system prime contractor so that the tools will be suitable for the system development and validation;
• managing the procurement process for tools and ensuring compliance with ESA’s procurement policies and procedures. This includes managing change requests and processing the corresponding contract change notices;
• monitoring the progress of tool development and providing regular status updates to the project management team;
• facilitating the use of collaborative tools for reporting and tracking the status of tools;
• monitoring and managing risks throughout the project lifecycle to ensure the successful delivery of tools. This includes proposing the corresponding risk mitigation strategies and ensuring their implementation in cooperation with industry;
• overseeing the timeline for each tool, understanding the impact of delays in one tool on others or on the overall IRIS² timeline, and taking action to avoid problems;
• coordinating closely with other project disciplines, including the System Office, the Space Segment Office, the Ground Segment and Operations Office, the Security Office, the Project Management Support Office, and the Product Assurance and Safety Team;
• ensuring, through close coordination with the Security Office, that the tools comply with the applicable security requirements, both in development and in operations.