Job Description

ERS-EO Architecture and Upstream Manager

Job Requisition ID: 20391

Date Posted: 16 March 2026

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

Publication: Internal & External

Type of Appointment: 4 years, extendable to indefinite

Directorate: Earth Observation Programmes

Workplace:

Noordwijk, NL

Grade Band: A4 - A4

This post is classified A4 with an upgrade to A5 once EOGS will be confirmed via the approval of the European Competitiveness Fund by the EU Council confirming the central role of ESA in the implementation of EOGS.

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description

European Resilience from Space – Earth Observation (ERS-EO) Architecture and Upstream Manager.

You will report to the ERS-EO Programme Manager within the Earth Observation Projects Department and be responsible for implementation of the system and space segment activities of Element 1 of the ERS-EO Programme, i.e. the preparation of the EOGS.

You will liaise closely with the Ground Segment Department (ground segment architecture and space resilience node), the Future Systems Department (preparation of EOGS space missions), DEFIS (EOGS definition), SatCen (secure platform definition) and EUSPA (security architecture) to ensure that a coherent and advanced EOGS system can be achieved.

The implementation of the system and space segment activities of ERS-EO Element 1 will be carried out by a multifunctional team (contract, project control, security, engineering, etc.) who will report to you hierarchically or functionally.

Duties

Your specific responsibilities and duties will include:

liaising with key external stakeholders (DEFIS, SatCen, EUSPA and Member States) and your internal counterpart (ERS-EO Downstream and Services Manager) to ensure the convergence of the EOGS system architecture with a consistent set of components ensuring the operational nature of the EOGS and the fulfilment of the EOGS high-level user needs;
the procurement and technical management of the system and space segment activities of Element 1 of ERS-EO in line with the agreed technical specifications, budget and schedule;
managing the industrial contracts relating to your area of responsibility and interfacing with industry for all project matters;
representing the projects, and associated reporting, towards ESA technical authorities such as the Inspector General, audit teams, frequency coordination teams, the Security Office and the Independent Safety Office, as well as ESA delegate bodies, notably the Earth Observation Programme Board and DOSTAG;
management of the project team and associated support from the EOP, TEC, CIC and OPS Directorates, ensuring that all appropriate information is available to all project participants such that they can discharge their responsibilities efficiently within the agreed framework.

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

Technical competencies

Multidisciplinary and comprehensive knowledge and experience of satellite design, development, verification/testing, launch and in-orbit validation

Proven experience of managing the development of space projects

Knowledge of matters relating to industrial costs and schedules

Complex project risk management processes

Familiarity with procurement

Knowledge of EO space mission operations and operations planning

Knowledge of specific characteristics of military and dual use space systems

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking

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

Education

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

Additional requirements

You should have the following:

The ability to summarise complex information as well as good communication skills, both verbal and written;
Knowledge of handling restricted or classified information;
The ability to work effectively in an international team environment.

You should also have:

Proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a team;
The ability to provide strategic direction to the individuals and teams within the project and to relate team objectives to the overall, evolving organisational goals and context;
The ability to drive performance and foster cooperation within and across teams throughout the organisation;
Demonstrated excellent leadership, relationship management and communication skills, both oral and written;
A proven track record of representing the Agency’s interests to external interfaces;
Excellent cognitive, analytical, delegation, planning and organisational skills;
The ability to anticipate problems, solve complex issues and relate situations to their context;
The ability to reach solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions of a high standard and with integrity as well as to support others (team members, upper management, other stakeholders) in this process.

People management experience is required and international experience would be an asset, including outside your home country, as would experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities.

Mobility is inherent to management functions and this position may be subject to rotation.

Mobility opportunities may therefore be offered to you as part of your career evolution at ESA, starting after approximately five years in this role.

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
Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations & eligible to acquire the security clearance by their national security administrations.

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, 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.