Head of the Electric Propulsion Section

Description

Head of the Electric Propulsion Section in the Propulsion, Aerothermodynamics and Flight Vehicle Engineering Division, Mechanical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

Reporting to the Head of the Propulsion, Aerothermodynamics and Flight Vehicle Engineering Division, the Head of the Electric Propulsion Section is responsible for the management of the Section, its resources and its activities. In addition, the Head of Section manages the operational activities within the technical domains of the Section.

The Electric Propulsion Section (TEC-MPE) is responsible for the architecture, engineering, research and development, and testing of electric propulsion systems for space vehicles supporting Earth observation, navigation, telecommunications and integrated applications, science, exploration, and space safety missions, as well as related IOD/IOV missions. The Section also provides technical contributions to system engineering, operations engineering, and multidisciplinary technology development.

TEC-MPE coordinates specialised support and R&D initiatives with other sections of the Directorate within the framework of relevant competence and cross-domain areas. It maintains and operates the Electric Propulsion Laboratory at ESTEC and supports the evolution and enhancement of European electric propulsion test facilities.

In addition, the Section contributes to technology harmonisation activities and to the Innovative Propulsion cross-cutting initiative White Paper, and leads the definition of technology development roadmaps for future activities.

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The technical scope of the Section covers:

• electric propulsion technologies, including electrostatic, electromagnetic, electrothermal and magnetoplasmadynamic propulsion;
• micropropulsion;
• electric propulsion for constellations and GEO telecommunication missions;
• high-thrust and high-power engines for in-space and interplanetary missions;
• electric propulsion components;
• the AIV of electric propulsion systems, thrusters and components;
• the design, implementation and verification of electric propulsion test facilities;
• the maintenance and operation of electric propulsion test facilities;
• advanced and future concepts in electric propulsion, including nuclear propulsion;
• propulsion system integration and electric thruster interactions;
• flight demonstrators and in-orbit experiments;
• exploitation of electric propulsion flight data for mission propulsion thrust and high-power engines for in-space and interplanetary missions, orbit experiments, propulsion, thrust and high power engines for in space and interplanetary mission, and orbit experiments.

Duties

Within the technical scope described above, your tasks and responsibilities will include:

workload assessment and assignment:

• Establishing the (multi-year) plan of activities for the Section, covering required competences and assignment of resources;
• Establishing annual objectives and managing and coordinating, on a day-to-day basis, specialised technical support in the Section’s fields of expertise, in full collaboration with the functional managers;
• Actively contributing to increasing the agility and flexibility required to meet project resource needs at short notice and during peak periods;
• Accountability for all activities and resources delegated to the Section and for resolving possible conflicting demands on the use of the Section’s resources.

R&D/technology management:
• In line with anticipated technology trends and project needs, defining, promoting and implementing the Section’s contributions to ESA technology programmes and R&D activities;
• Coordinating, where applicable, the requirements of technology elements in your domain of expertise with the overall requirements of systems being developed under the responsibility of other areas in the Directorate;
• Liaising with relevant technology expert groups and coordination mechanisms.

talent management:

• Maintaining state-of-the-art expertise in the Section, identifying, developing, maintaining and tracking the technical competences required to meet current and future strategic needs;
• Establishing individual talent management (competence and development) plans for the Section’s members, covering technical and behavioural aspects;
• Collaborating with functional managers whenever needed;
• Driving the development of people within your area of responsibility, facilitating the development of people beyond your area of responsibility, and encouraging mobility when it serves the organisation’s interests;
• Encouraging the integration of newcomers and contributing to their initial development plans, in particular in the first three years of their contract;
• Managing staff functional mobility and changes, such as arrivals, departures, reassignments, probation and contract extensions, with minimum disruption to the activities of the Section.

support management:

• Monitoring, measuring and reporting on performance at individual and team level, in particular regarding the Section’s objectives;
• Accountability to the hierarchy for all daily matters within the Section and for the achievement of the Section’s objectives;
• Accountability for the Section members’ career management, as well as for performing individual performance assessments and merit recognition exercises and for providing regular feedback.

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expertise and management of tools, processes and working methods:

• Ensuring regular interaction between the Section members, supporting teamwork, the exchange of experience and lessons learned, and gathering of feedback;
• Contributing to the continuous improvement of working procedures, tools, processes, expert working methods and delivery methods (lessons learned, knowledge management) and to reflections on the evolution of the Section’s role and activities;
• Contributing to the (independent) technical assessment capability and supporting project reviews;
• Representing the Agency in the area(s) of expertise within ESA and with external entities, such as industry and delegations;
• Coordinating the dissemination of the Section’s results within and beyond ESA, in particular via conferences, workshops and R&D presentation days.

laboratories:

• Acting as Technical Manager for the ESA Propulsion Laboratory.

general and leadership:

• Ensuring a positive and motivating working environment for the Section;
• Communicating ESA values and ensuring compliance with all ESA policies;
• Representing the Section when brokering agreements with other parties and actively encouraging cross-unit cooperation;
• Anticipating and resolving sensitive or difficult situations, detecting and managing health and safety issues, and liaising with HR as required;
• Establishing good working relationships and technical networks with users, project groups and other organisations both inside and outside the Agency;
• Reporting to high-level management and flowing down communication from management.

interface management:

• Supporting the relevant architects and system engineers in the design, development and verification of robotic and automation subsystems;
• Coordinating the evolution of the standards in the context of the ECSS system related to the technical domains of the Section.
  

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 the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

Education and professional experience

A master’s degree in aerospace, mechanical or electric engineering or physics is required for this post, together with 10 years of relevant professional experience.

Additional requirements

Solid experience in the technical domains of the Section, together with demonstrated capability in defining and specifying technology R&D activities, is required.

You should also have:

• substantial experience in relevant areas of design and technology development;
• the potential to manage individuals or teams of experts in a project or R&D environment, with the ability to organise and structure their activities;
• 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, while maintaining a customer-focused approach;
• the ability to represent the Agency effectively in interactions with industry and government stakeholders.

Previous experience in people management is an asset, as is international experience i.e. professional experience gained outside your home country. Experience across diverse functional areas relevant to the activities of ESA is also considered advantageous.

Mobility is inherent to management functions and this position may be subject to rotation. Therefore, mobility opportunities may be offered to you as part of your career evolution at ESA, beginning after approximately five years in this role.