Job Description

Celeste Implementation Manager (2 posts)

Job Requisition ID: 20408

Date Posted: 25 March 2026

Closing Date: 15 April 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication: Internal & External

Type of Appointment: 4 years, extendable to indefinite

Directorate: Navigation

Workplace:

Noordwijk, NL

Grade Band: A2 - A4

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description

Celeste Implementation Manager, in the Celeste Programme. Reporting to the Head of the Celeste Programme, the Celeste Implementation Manager will be responsible for the implementation of all industrial activities related to the In-Orbit Preparatory (IOP) or In-Orbit Demonstration (IOD) phase of the Celeste programme.

Celeste is Component 1 LEO-PNT of the FutureNAV programme. Celeste represents the ESA Contribution towards establishing a European Low Earth Orbit Positioning, Navigation and Timing (LEO-PNT) capability as part of a multilayer system-of-systems PNT architecture. This component aims to complement existing GNSS services by leveraging a constellation of LEO satellites to deliver enhanced resilience, improved accuracy, and innovative features for emerging applications.

The Celeste team is responsible for the following activities:

Implementation of the Celeste In-Orbit Demonstrator (IOD) phase, with two ongoing industrial contracts, each of them implementing an end-to-end system (including launch services, operations and service demonstration), showcasing the feasibility and benefits of using low-Earth orbits, novel signals and frequency bands;
Implementation of the Celeste In-Orbit Preparatory (IOP) phase, to prepare for a future LEO-PNT operational system for the European Union and to unlock global commercial opportunities, driving innovation and reinforcing European leadership in emerging PNT markets, including the development and qualification of pre-operational products and building blocks, their industrialisation, including mature and qualified technologies, and the creation of the Celeste in-orbit validation end-to-end system;
The associated system engineering, technology development, ground segment, launch services, operations, in-orbit demonstration, industrialisation and system in-orbit validation activities;
The associated coordination activities with the European Union in preparation for an EU LEO-PNT operational system;

Contribution towards LEO-PNT interoperability and compatibility with GNSS and other LEO-PNT systems, in collaboration with international stakeholders.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

responsibility for the end-to-end implementation and management of the Celeste IOP or IOD industrial activities within the agreed technical speciﬁcations, cost and schedule;
management of the industrial Celeste IOP or IOD contracts;
leading, managing and motivating the Celeste team including the specialised engineering support by the Directorates of Technology, Engineering & Quality and the Directorate of Operations, including annual objectives setting, management, daily supervision and annual assessment;
regular reporting on the progress, status, schedule and outcome of managed activities to hierarchical management and programme boards;
interfacing with stakeholders (third-party end-user communities, regulatory bodies, EU, international partners);
development, manufacturing and testing of the space segment and relevant ground and test user segments;
the overall mission-specific system, satellite and ground system integration and pre-launch verification activities;
execution of launch and early commissioning activities;
monitoring of the initial years of operations for satellite on-board performance and issues;
collection and management of the operational and experimentation data;
coordinating work and resource allocation to ensure timely execution of relevant activities in coordination with other managers in the Celeste programme;
reporting regularly and ad hoc to the Head of the Celeste Programme on all aspects of the Celeste IOP or IOD, proactive monitoring of relevant schedules, identifying risks and problem areas, and proposing mitigation actions;
generating status reporting, conclusions, recommendations and lessons learned for future phases of Celeste and LEO-PNT in general.

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

Technical competencies

Background in space systems engineering with satellite development and end-to-end view of satellite navigation projects

Background in satellite constellations in Low Earth Orbit

Knowledge and experience of project management, including risk management and schedule management

Knowledge and experience of project risk management

Knowledge and experience of managing industrial activities in space domains

Knowledge of other technical domains with interfaces to your own area of responsibility

Knowledge of space system development and PA standards

Knowledge of ESA and industrial development, verification and procurement processes

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 engineering or a related field is required for this post together with 4 years of relevant professional experience. Alternatively, candidates with a bachelor’s degree, complemented by an additional four (4) years of relevant professional experience can be considered.

Additional requirements

experience in managing complex space projects;
the potential to manage individuals or a team of experts 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 an asset, as is international experience, i.e. outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities.

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 & 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, Cyprus, 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.