Description

Head of the EGNOS and SBAS Division, Galileo and EGNOS Programme Department, Directorate of Navigation (D/NAV).

Reporting to the Head of the Galileo and EGNOS Programme Department, you will be responsible for the implementation of the activities defined and agreed within the relevant frameworks, such as the Financial Framework Partnership Agreement (FFPA) between ESA and the EU, the ESA R&D programme, and the third-party agreement with ASECNA.

The Division operates and performs the projects under the various frameworks and interfaces with and reports to the associated entities, such as the European Commission, the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), ESA, D/NAV and ASECNA.

The Division is structured as a matrix organisation to serve the various projects. In order to implement its mission and projects correctly, it also coordinates with external bodies at local level, with CNES hosting the ESA Division, as well as at European, African and international levels.

In particular, together with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Head of Division co-chairs the international SBAS Interoperability Working Group, which brings together ten different agencies. 

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

-    management of the activities of the Division and of the associated workforce, including EGNOS development for the EU and Africa, as well as research and development projects, in line with ESA Corporate and D/NAV strategic objectives; 
-    reporting to the Head of Department and to the various customers of the different projects;
-    maintaining the EGNOS design and qualification files throughout the projects;
-    ensuring that the cost at completion for the various projects remains within the agreed financial envelope;
-    selecting, inspiring and developing the Division’s leaders for the promotion and development of new and innovative ideas, system concepts and technologies and for their effective implementation in projects or programmes in the domains of application of space in general and of European GNSS (Galileo and EGNOS) in Europe and more broadly;
-    supporting the Head of Department with cross-cutting activities, such as R&D in the framework of the EU’s Horizon Europe programme and coordination between the EGNOS and Galileo programmes, at D/NAV or ESA Corporate levels;
-    direct reporting to the ESA or EU Member State delegations in the relevant forums, such as PB-NAV and the European GNSS Programmes Committee;  
-    reporting to the management of the Agency for the Safety of Air Navigation in Africa and Madagascar (ASECNA) in the framework of the international cooperation agreement between ESA and ASECNA signed in mid-2022;
-    representing and promoting ESA and defending European interests in coordination with European Union partners in the framework of the various international forums, in particular with regard to the development, interoperability and modernisation of SBAS;
-    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
 

Education

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

Additional requirements

You bring at least 10 years of experience in the implementation (design and development) of complex distributed systems combining HW and SW.

You are an experienced manager of large teams, preferably operating in a matrix setting.
Your technical background lies in space mechanics and satellite design. 

Experience with patents in the GNSS domain (system, technology, service) and with the development of GNSS/ SBAS system simulators in SW will be considered an asset.

Fluency in French is desirable for this position.

You should, in addition, have:
•    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 Division 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;
•    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 an asset, as is international experience, i.e. outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities.