Next Generation Gravity Mission Payload Manager

Description

NGGM Payload Manager in the NGGM Project within the Earth Explorer Mission Programme in the Projects Department within the Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes.

Following the success of the GRACE and GOCE missions, ESA and NASA established international cooperation to jointly develop an Earth gravity monitoring mission to bring about the Mass Change and Geosciences International Constellation (MAGIC). The Next Generation Gravity Mission (NGGM) is ESA’s contribution to the ESA-NASA MAGIC constellation and is currently undergoing the Phase B system design consolidation study as a mission of opportunity within the FutureEO-1 programme.

The objective of MAGIC is to provide long-term, accurate monitoring of the temporal variations of Earth’s gravity field at high resolution in time (down to three days) and in space. MAGIC will observe Earth mass change and reinforce services in hydrology, cryosphere, oceanography, solid Earth, climate change and geodesy. The observables are the variations of the distance between two satellites, measured by a laser interferometer with sub-nanometre precision, and non-gravitational accelerations, to be separated from the gravity signal in the data processing, measured by accelerometers on each satellite.

MAGIC will be composed of two pairs of satellites. The first pair, P1 (i.e. GRACE-C), is being implemented through a US-German fast-paced cooperation programme, maximising heritage from GRACE-FO to ensure continuity of observations. The second pair of satellites, P2 (i.e. NGGM), is to be implemented by ESA in cooperation with NASA for science, exchange of data between both pairs and generation of combined MAGIC Level 2 and Level 3 products. P2 will provide strong enhancement of the quality of the observations from both pairs and will be launched in an inclined orbit at an altitude of 400km to form a quasi-Bender constellation, with a target launch date that will enable maintenance of at least four years of combined operations with GRACE-C. Each satellite will embark (i) an optical instrument for precise interferometric inter-satellite laser ranging and Line of Sight (LoS) tracking; (ii) three ultra-sensitive electro-static accelerometers; (iii) a precise orbit determination package including a GNSS instrument and laser retro-reflectors; (iv) a complex electrical propulsion system made of RF ion thrusters, hollow cathode neutralisers, RF generators and flow control units to enable drag-free AOCS, compensating for the atmospheric drag; and (v) a set of linear cold gas thrusters for attitude and orbit control.

The NGGM Payload Manager will report to the NGGM Project Manager. You will be in charge of functionally leading and coordinating support from other engineers working on the project, as well as specialised technical support from the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality (D/TEC).

Duties

The NGGM Payload Manager will be in charge of the development of the two NGGM payloads, i.e. the laser tracking instrument (LTI) for precise interferometric inter-satellite distance measurement and the highly accurate electrostatic MicroSTAR accelerometer (ACC) to measure the non-gravitational accelerations. The NGGM Payload Manager will be responsible for the payloads’ design, development and verification, including the coordination of all engineering disciplines within the NGGM project.

Your main tasks and responsibilities will include:

• leading the Phase B industrial predevelopment procurement of the LTI and ACC payloads under direct ESA contract to ensure TRL6 achievement on time for the Satellite PDR milestone;
• preparing, evaluating and negotiating the B2CDE1 phase procurement of the LTI and ACC payloads and the B2CDE1 phase procurement of the complete NGGM satellites for the payload aspects and the interfaces with the satellites;
• completing the B2CDE1 phases (design, development and commissioning) of the LTI and ACC payloads, ensuring consistency with the specifications and the timely availability of the flight hardware for the two spacecrafts;
• monitoring the payload procurement industrial work, ensuring the timely resolution of any payload-related non-conformance or anomaly and coordinating appropriate expert support;
• in coordination with the System and Spacecraft Engineering Teams, consolidating and maintaining the instrument requirements, ensuring coherence with the mission requirements and constraints;
• in coordination with the System and Spacecraft Engineering Teams, consolidating and maintaining the payload interface requirements, ensuring consistency of satellite interfaces with payload needs;
• ensuring that the operability of the payloads is fully compatible with the overall NGGM satellite operations, observability and availability requirements in coordination with the NGGM System Manager;
• ensuring consistency of the design, testing and performances of the LTI and ACC instruments with mission needs;
• monitoring AIV/AIT activities at payload equipment and payload level to ensure the proper and timely conduct of all payload AIT activities;
• ensuring the timely availability of all payload design, interface data and associated operations documentation and databases in accordance with the overall satellite needs;
• supporting the payload aspects of the other sections of the NGGM project in respect of the interface with the Mission Advisory Group, in relation to payload performance and specific calibration needs for example;
• coordinating with the other sections within the NGGM project to ensure compliance with space debris mitigation requirements with respect to payload aspects, such as design for demise;
• monitoring the payload development risks and the implementation of mitigation actions;
• in close collaboration with the Product Assurance Manager, ensuring compliance with PA and Safety processes and standards;
• coordinating, with the NGGM System Team, the needs for payload calibration, and monitoring the execution of calibration;
• supporting the NGGM Project Manager for relevant general project reporting tasks (weekly and monthly reporting, risk reviews and QSRs) and delegating tasks when required;
• supporting the build-up of the Payload Team and subsequently leading the Team, including the definition of day-to-day tasks and objectives and the setting of annual performance objectives and their assessment, including training needs, ensuring that the Team is motivated and committed to the project's goal.

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

Technical competencies

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

A master’s degree in a relevant engineering or scientific discipline is required for this post.

Additional requirements

You should have in-depth experience of the management of payload development activities and of industrial contracts.

Specific expertise with laser and/or complex AOCS sensing instruments would be an asset.

You should also have:

• the potential to manage individuals or a team in a project setting;

• 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 required. International experience is an asset, including outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities.