In support of ESA’s Human Spaceflight Directorate at ESTEC we are looking for: Payload Operations Engineer

Main tasks and responsibilities:

The post is in the Payload Operations Section in the Payload Operations and
Integration Division, Research Operations Department, Directorate of Human
Spaceflight.

The candidate will work under the direct authority of the Head of the Payload
Operations and USOC management Section, and will perform the following
duties:

• Support establishment and implementation of concepts, requirements, plans and procedures for the preparation and implementation of activities related to the Flight Operations Preparation and Control of the ESA owned and/or controlled payloads on the ISS;
• Support to the development and review of payload operations products (generic, increment- and payload-specific) and supporting material (Generic and Payload- or increment-specific operations concepts, OIPs/JOIPs, payload-related Flight Rules, Payload Regulations, Ground rules and Constraints, etc.);
• Support to Increment Planning by review of ISS increment and stage Planning Products, e.g. Planning Requests, Flight Programme Overview, OOS, support development IDRD, Feasibility Assessments, ESA IRD;
• Support to the team of ESA Payload Operations Manager for the preparation and execution of payload oriented mission increments, and in this function ;
• Support the preparation and implementation of the flight operations of ESA payloads on the ISS;
• Coordinate the activities and flight operations teams in the USOCs in preparing and executing ISS payload flight operations;
• interface with NASA's Payload Operations Organisations for payload operation preparation and management;
• Support payload anomaly resolution activities;
• Act as focal point of contact for the ESA Mission Operations Organisation, Columbus Control Centre and USOCs for the implementation phase of the European payload operations;
• Follow the payload operations implementation by USOC Ops Teams and Col-CC interfaces;
• Monitor the execution of payload operations in ISS increments;
• Interface with the IOT Service Organisation in preparing and executing the activities for ESA Payload operations;
• monitor and assess in close co-operation with the USOCs, the Col-CC, the EAC, the IOT and NASA the development and validation of Payload Operations Data File Products;
• Supporting the ESA PODF Working Group (PODFWG) activities in:
  • Management co-ordination of PODF development;
• Monitor related Payload ODF activities (displays, Operations Nomenclature, safety, medical operations) by the USOCs;
• Reviewing Procedures;
• Acting as the PODF Manager or –support in the ESA ODF Control Board (ODFCB);
• Representing the PODFWG vis-à-vis the ESA ODFCB;
• Review change requests on ODF Standards and Management Plans;
• Support to ODF Configuration Control at European and at ISS Level, especially vis-à-vis NASA;
• Support Coordination of the operations activities conducted from the distributed European User Centres (e.g. Facility Responsible Centres, Facility Support Centres, User Home Bases);
• Provide ESA Payload Operations representation to related Working Groups and Teams for ESA Payloads (e.g. ESA Payload Control Board, ESA MMT, Increment Integration Team, ESA / NASA working groups, etc);

Skills and Experience:

• University Degree in Physics or Engineering, or equivalent;
• Experience in operation of space systems;
• Experience in working with Space Station Users;
• Experience in management of industrial activities is an asset;
• Demonstrate good communication, writing and presentation skills;
• Ability to cope with pressure;
• Fluent in English; knowledge of another ESA Member State language is an asset.

Starting date: April 2011 or as soon as possible thereafter

An exciting international working environment in a highly innovative and motivated team awaits you!

HE Space Operations is an international human resources company specialised in the space market. We have been providing consultancy services in space engineering and business administration for over 25 years. We generally work directly on-site with our principal customers such as the European Space Agency and EADS Astrium.