Description

Lead Optical Engineer in the Mechanical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality. 

You will report to the Head of the Mechanical Department and serve as the Directorate’s technical focal point with respect to optical payload technologies and their applications, spanning remote sensing, optical telecom, secure communications and quantum technologies. 

The development of new optical systems is by its nature a multidisciplinary activity covering optical technologies, detectors, front-end electronics, materials, data processing and performance verification. 

You will be responsible for contributing to the formulation of the multidisciplinary technology strategy and preparation of the related development roadmaps, and for driving top-down technology initiatives across the Directorate. These tasks will be performed in cooperation with relevant ESA line managers, Technical Authority Architects , Competence Domains, projects and industry. 

The position will increase the quality and availability of the expert support provided by the Directorate and contribute to reducing technical risk in ESA projects.

Duties

Your main responsibilities will include: 

Serving as the Directorate’s technical focal point and advisor for all spacecraft optics-related matters: 

• supporting the Mechanical Department’s strategy and technical leadership in the optical, optoelectronics and quantum technologies domains
• supporting the Technical Authority Architects 
• participating in project reviews/Technical Evaluation Boards as a member or chair
• chairing ad hoc boards, for instance in the event of failures or special investigations
• providing expert support/advice as required. 

Driving top-down technology initiatives across the Directorate: 

• supporting the formulation of the ESA Technology Vision and contributing to its updates
• supporting the Competence Domains’ preparation of multidisciplinary R&D plans and roadmaps, taking into account the system-level impact and related technology roadmaps
• representing the Department in relevant Competence Domains
• coordinating technology development across all departments within the Directorate in the area of spacecraft optical engineering in close cooperation with the other Lead Engineers
• collecting inputs from the relevant TEC services, ESA Service Domains and industry, in particular in the area of spacecraft optical engineering
• actively following the relevant technology developments worldwide, including those in non-space industry, adapting these as required for space
• supporting the Technical Officers  in critical and innovative activities and in coordinating multidisciplinary R&D activities
• identifying opportunities for ground and in-orbit demonstration, leading to early proof and adoption of innovative technologies
• introducing and participating in cross-cutting technology initiatives and contributing to their implementation in projects
• leading efforts on open innovation and joint R&D with other sectors.

Knowledge management: 

• coordinating and actively contributing to the transfer of knowledge and lessons learned within ESA, identifying means and best practices to disseminate information across technical disciplines and projects
• developing/supporting training courses (for both internal and external audiences as required)
• leading (as convenor) the development of relevant ECSS standards
• mentoring staff as required, especially to guide them in their career and mobility aspirations. 

Coordinating activities performed with: 

• European industry
• the European Commission in the area of spacecraft optics technologies, engineering and applications
• the academic world, to promote ESA’s activities to students/researchers/universities and to stimulate cross-fertilisation and new ideas. 

Technical competencies

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 a relevant engineering or scientific discipline for this post is required.

Additional requirements

You should also have: 

• the ability to motivate and develop a team;
• the ability to provide strategic direction to the individuals within the Division and to 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, 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 would be an asset, as would international experience, i.e. outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities.