Job Description

Copernicus Space Segment Technical Coordinator

Job Requisition ID: 19982

Date Posted: 23 October 2025

Closing Date: 13 November 2025 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication: Internal & External

Type of Contract: Permanent

Directorate: Earth Observation Programmes

Workplace:

Noordwijk, NL

Grade Band: A2 - A4

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description

Copernicus Space Segment Technical Coordinator in the Copernicus Space Segment Programme, Projects Department, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes (D/EOP).

Reporting to the Copernicus Space Segment Programme Manager, as Copernicus Space Segment Technical Coordinator, you will be responsible for ensuring the coherent implementation of common technical solutions across Copernicus Expansion and Sentinel Next Generation missions.

Your responsibilities will also include acting as technical representative for the Projects Department concerning the adoption by Copernicus, Earth Explorers and meteorological missions of common system requirements, new technologies and engineering methodologies, and the follow-up of the mission implementation of ESA sustainability policies in areas such as zero debris, eco-design and security.

Finally, you will also be responsible, as technical officer, for the implementation of launch service contracts in support of Copernicus and other EO missions.

Duties

Your principal tasks and responsibilities will include:

establishing, consolidating and maintaining a list of common technical topics that would be candidates for a coordinated implementation approach within the Copernicus Space Segment missions;
coordinating the assessment of the identified common technical topics involving the Sentinel project teams, as well as other ESA internal experts, the Flight Operations Segment and Ground Segment teams, and, where applicable, other EOP mission project teams;
supporting the Sentinel project teams in the implementation of common technical topics, ensuring a harmonised procurement, design, development and verification approach;
supporting the Sentinel project reviews, ensuring a coherent review approach for the common technical topics and optimising their assessment;
supporting the Sentinel project teams in the establishment and execution of the spacecraft assembly, integration and validation and launch campaigns, ensuring a harmonised and efficient approach;
supporting the Sentinel and other EO project teams in the establishment and monitoring of launch services by acting as technical officer for related contracts, ensuring coordination with other relevant directorates;
supporting the Sentinel project teams and project controllers in the consolidation of the annual plan for functional support from the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality, ensuring coherent and efficient implementation;
coordinating the adoption within the D/EOP Projects Department of the generic system requirements baseline, such as SSRD, OIRD or ECSS standards, tailored to the mission classification, and acting as technical representative for the Projects Department in support of that baseline’s evolution in very close coordination with other relevant departments and directorates;
supporting the D/EOP Future Missions and Architecture Department in the definition and evolution of generic spacecraft product lines by European industry;
acting as the D/EOP Projects Department’s technical representative in specific internal and external forums and working groups;
coordinating, within the Projects Department, the adoption of digitalisation in the project life cycle, such as model-based system engineering, and the onboarding of relevant new technologies in close coordination with other departments and directorates;
coordinating, within the D/EOP Projects Department, the adoption of the ESA sustainability and security policies relating to zero debris, eco-design and security directives for example, and acting as the Department’s technical representative for the evolution of related policy generic requirements in close coordination with other departments and directorates.

Technical competencies

In-depth experience in spacecraft and/or payload design, development and testing

In-depth experience in spacecraft Assembly, Integration and Validation campaign definition and execution

Experience in spacecraft launch services and associated launch campaign definition and execution

In-depth experience in the management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in reviews

Experience in the application and tailoring of ECSS standards for spacecraft developments

Knowledge of launch and early-orbit phase and in-orbit commissioning phase definition and execution

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 scientific or engineering discipline is required for this post.

Additional requirements

You should also have:

the ability to organise activities across different teams and ensure a motivating work environment;
strong leadership capabilities, with proven relationship management and communication skills;
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.

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 contact.human.resources@esa.int.

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.

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.

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, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.

According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States*. When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates and secondly to external candidates from under-represented 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.

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.