Description

Head of the Radio Frequency (RF) Payloads and Technology Division, Electrical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

Duties

Reporting to the Head of the Electrical Department, the Head of the Radio Frequency (RF) Payloads and Technology Division is responsible for the management of the Division, its resources and activities and is supported by Section Heads (who each manage a team of technical experts) and Advisors.

Duties include:

• ensuring a positive and motivating working environment for the Division;
• establishing and maintaining good working relationships and technical networks with users, project groups and other organisational bodies both inside and outside the Agency;
• contributing to the continuous improvement of working procedures and to the reflection on the evolution of the Division’s role and activities;
• supporting the Section Heads in anticipating and resolving sensitive or difficult situations, liaising with HR as required.

The Head of Division is responsible for the technical and strategic management of RF Payloads and Technologies for space and ground applications and the associated laboratory facilities. More specifically, Division responsibilities will encompass:

• payloads with RF interface for telecommunication and navigation exploiting different technologies (e.g. analogue, digital, optical) including design, performance analysis tools and testing;
• earth observation and scientific RF active and passive instruments design, performance analysis, engineering & testing up to sub-millimetre waves;
• wave-propagation and interaction relevant to space communications, navigation and remote sensing, including interference and regulatory aspects;
• antenna systems, architecture, technologies and techniques for all space applications, including space vehicle TT&C and user segment terminals, as well as antenna engineering and RF testing of antenna and materials; 
• RF technologies and RF equipment, also including vacuum electronics and high power RF phenomena (multipactor, corona and passive intermodulation);
• time and frequency references, modelling, design tools, measurements, performance characterisation and calibration techniques.

Within the above fields of competence, the postholder’s responsibilities will cover:

• managing the workforce assigned to the Division with accountability for all resources and activities delegated to it;
• overseeing the provision of specialist technical support to ESA projects in all mission phases, reviews, tender evaluations, technical inquiries and audits;
• contributing to the definition, promotion and application of engineering standards;
• actively contributing to the definition of ESA technology programmes, the implementation of these activities and the promotion of internal and external R&D;
• overseeing the preparation and regular updating of technology roadmaps and dossiers;
• supporting the activities of the relevant Competence Domains;
• supporting the promotion of technology results, also through organising workshops and conferences;
• ensuring appropriate support to European industry in all areas in its field of competence;
• maintaining and developing the competence of the Division workforce in line with current and future strategic requirements, in particular with the support of Division design tools and laboratory facilities;

To cover the competence and responsibilities mentioned above, the division is in charge of RF payload, antenna microwave and propagation laboratories including both engineering tools and tests & measurement facilities.

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking

Education

A Master’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline is required for this post. 

Additional requirements

In addition, candidates should have:

• extensive experience in one or more of the technical domains covered by the Division;
• proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a team of experts in a project or R&D environment;
• the ability to provide strategic direction to the individuals and teams within the Division and relate team objectives to the overall and 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, solve complex issues and relate situations to their context;
• the ability to reach solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions of high standard and integrity as well as to support others (team members, upper management, other stakeholders) in this process;
• previous experience of leading managers and multiple teams is an asset, as is international experience, i.e. outside the candidate’s home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to the activities of ESA;
• experience in participation in ESA reviews and panel leadership or equivalent gate reviews and boards;
• knowledge of the technical and programmatic requirements of ESA programmes/projects in the domains covered by the Division is desirable.