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Head of the GEO Satellites Programme Office

Job Requisition ID: 20133

Date Posted: 17 December 2025

Closing Date: 7 January 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication: Internal & External

Type of Appointment : 4 years, extendable to indefinite

Directorate: Connectivity and Secure Communications

Workplace:

Noordwijk, NL

This is a 4-year appointment, which can be extended for an indefinite duration depending on performance.

Location

ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description

Head of the GEO Satellites Programme Office in the Satellite Programmes Department, Directorate of Connectivity and Secure Communications.

You will report to the Head of the Satellite Programmes Department (CSC-P) and will be responsible for the implementation of all satellite projects assigned to the GEO Satellites Programme Office and the initiation of new GEO satellite projects in close coordination with the relevant entities within the Systems, Strategic Programme Lines and Technology Department (CSC-S) and with the Secure Connectivity Programme Department (CSC-I).

You will be responsible for the coordination of the matrix support provided by other ESA directorates and the ESA Security Office.

You will also be responsible for running the CSC centre of competence for industrialisation in close interaction with industry.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

initiating projects:

• Supporting Phase 0/A/B1 activities for new projects led by CSC-S to ensure proper preparation for and transition to Phase B2/C/D/E;
• Managing initiation of Phase B2/C/D/E activities for new projects with operators, industry, Member State delegations and other private or public entities in coordination with CSC-S; this includes consolidation of the programmatic baseline with respect to cost, schedule and risks;

  implementing projects:

• Managing preparation and release of the Phase B2/C/D/E invitation to tender/request for quotation package to industry/operators; preparation and organisation of the tender evaluation board for the procurement of the space segment and, where relevant, associated ground segment and launch services;
• Negotiating the relevant Phase B2/C/D/E contractual baseline up to signature;
• Managing design, development, manufacturing, testing and launch up to in-orbit commissioning of the space segment and, where relevant, the associated ground segment;
• Ensuring proactive management and reporting of all relevant project risks, including identification and implementation of risk mitigation activities;
• Ensuring proactive maintenance and management of the project schedule;
• Ensuring proactive implementation of the required technology uplift activities ("low-TRL activities");
• Where applicable, and in coordination with CSC-S, managing any ARTES Core Competitiveness activities directly relating to the project;
• Monitoring, during the initial years of operations post in-orbit commissioning, the satellite performance in collaboration with the relevant operator and/or industry;

  stakeholder coordination:

• Coordinating with European operators regarding their future GEO missions and service portfolios;
• Consulting with European large system integrators, midcaps and SMEs regarding their future GEO system and subsystem evolutions;
• Coordinating with Member State delegations regarding ongoing projects and the preparation of future projects;
• Coordinating with the European Commission regarding ongoing projects and the preparation of future projects;
• Coordinating, whenever needed, with ESA-internal stakeholders, in particular with the General Support Technology Programme (GSTP), CSC-S and CSC-I;
• Managing project teams in charge of the various satellite projects assigned to the GEO Satellites Programme Office;
• Proactively prioritising, allocating, leading, managing, motivating and developing the workforce of the Office;
• Ensuring the development of and/or recruitment of resources with diverse and future-ready technical skills;

Office/Department/Directorate-level management;

• Supporting Department- and Directorate-level management as required;
• Managing Office-level financial performance in terms of commitments and accruals;
• Managing the relationship between the Office and the ESA internal matrix support providers;
• Managing the relationship with other ESA directorates if/when relevant for a project managed by the Office;
• Providing clear and concise reporting to senior management, Member State delegations and other entities as required;
• Contributing to the Directorate's internal and external communications on programmes and projects under the responsibility of the Office.

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In the execution of these functions, you will be supported by nominated staff from the Business Control and Programme Management Support Office for programme and project control and CADM functions, and from the Product Assurance and Safety Office for programme and project PA&S functions.

You will also be able to draw on technical and contractual support via the ESA internal matrix, in particular the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality, the Directorate of Operations and the Directorate of Commercialisation, Industry and Competitiveness, as well as the ESA Security Office.

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

Multidisciplinary knowledge of your area of responsibility

Knowledge of industrial cost and schedule aspects

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

Space system development and PA standards

Complex project risk management processes

Knowledge of end-to-end system engineering

Knowledge of ESA and industrial development, verification and procurement processes

Result Orientation

Operational Efficiency

Fostering Cooperation

Relationship Management

Continuous Improvement

Forward Thinking

Education

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

Additional requirements

Solid experience in managing complex space programmes up to launch and in-orbit testing, preferably in the telecommunications domain, is desirable. Experience in public-private partnership projects would be an asset.

Previous experience of managing managers and multiple teams is desirable.

Direct experience of working with a commercial telecommunications company or operator will be a distinct advantage.

Experience in public-private partnership projects would be an asset.

Previous experience of managing managers and multiple teams is desirable.

• Proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a team in a project environment;
• The ability to provide strategic direction to the individuals and teams within the Office 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, resolve complex issues and relate situations to their context;
• The ability to make solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions of a high standard and with integrity, as well as to support others, such as team members, upper management and other stakeholders, in this process.

People management experience is required. International experience is an asset, including 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 .

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.

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.