Job Description

Aurora Project Manager

Job Requisition ID: 20388

Date Posted: 30 March 2026

Closing Date: 20 April 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication: Internal & External

Type of Appointment: 4 years, extendable to indefinite

Directorate: Operations

Workplace:

Noordwijk, NL

Grade Band: A2 - A4

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description

As part of the Space Safety Programme and its Space Weather pillar, ESA plans to implement a four-satellite constellation (called Aurora-C) to monitor the auroral oval for operational space weather applications, enabling the observation of the impact of the solar wind and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) on Earth’s magnetosphere and upper atmosphere. Impacts may trigger geomagnetic storms and sub-storms when hitting the Earth. The constellation will serve as an important element to enhance space weather nowcasting and forecasting capabilities in Europe.

As a first step and to demonstrate the feasibility of the constellation, a demonstrator mission called Aurora-D is being developed. This mission consists of a single spacecraft representative of the Aurora-C satellite to the maximum extent, in a representative orbit, including all the instruments.

As Aurora Project Manager, you will report to the Head of the Space Safety Missions Office, Space Safety Programme Office, Directorate of Operations.

The Space Safety Missions Office of the Space Safety Programme Office is responsible for the implementation, Phase B2/C/D/E of several missions of the Space Safety Programme, one of which is the Aurora-D mission, as well as the future Aurora-C constellation.

Duties

Your key responsibilities will include:

end-to-end procurement for Phase B2/C/D/E of the Aurora-D mission;
hands-on technical management of the Aurora-D project, covering the development of the space segment and ground segment, in compliance with the agreed technical and programmatic requirements in terms of cost, schedule and georeturn, as well as with the future constellation;
management of the industrial Aurora-D contract(s), including the negotiation of any changes, in coordination with the Contract Officer and the Project Controller;
preparing and conducting project reviews in close cooperation with the Inspector General’s Office;
management of the Aurora-D ESA Project Team, including prioritisation of activities and points for attention;
securing and leading experts from the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality;
identification of project risks at ESA level; implementation of risk mitigation measures and agreeing on the acceptable level of risk when an issue arises;
planning and active control of the Cost at Completion of the project;
planning and allocating all the resources for the project;
planning and active control of the schedule; implementation of schedule risk mitigation and recovery actions when required;
reporting regularly to management and escalating problems when required;
supporting the Head of Division with:
- ESA Programme Boards
- ESA internal committees (AFC/IPC)
- Interfaces with the Member States
- Preparation of the Council meeting at ministerial level
interfacing with the user community and with other relevant external stakeholders;
linking with the Space Weather Office of the Space Safety Programme Office as required;
participating in preparatory activities for the Aurora constellation as required;
applying pragmatic decision-making processes to balance ideal solutions with project constraints;
sharing experience and knowledge with industry in a constructive and result-oriented manner;
capturing and sharing the lessons-learned with other project managers within the Division, and with other teams in the Department.

Technical competencies

More than 10 years of hands-on experience in payload/spacecraft Phase B2/C/D/E

Payload development experience, including in AIT/AIV

System engineering and PA standards

Complex project risk management processes

Knowledge of ESA and industrial procurement, development and verification processes

Knowledge of industrial cost and schedule aspects

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.

Additional requirements

Experience with:

implementing small missions with tight schedules and low price constraints;
optical payloads;
a pragmatic approach to applying the ECSS would be a strong asset.

You should also:

be capable of working autonomously, using initiative and taking a hands-on approach;
show strong leadership capability, with proven relationship management and communication skills vis-a-vis various stakeholders;
be able to anticipate problems and demonstrate flexibility to seek solutions and make pragmatic and timely decisions;
be result-oriented with the ability to set priorities.

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, 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.