Position: Head of the Technology Department
Job ID: 19102
Salary: Indefinite
Location: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Time Type: Indefinite
Contract Type: Permanent
Duration: Indefinite
Duration: Indefinite
Institution: ESA
Start Date: Indefinite
Deadline: 9 December 2024
Head of the Technology Department, reporting to the Director of Technology, Engineering and Quality (D/TEC).
The Technology Department is responsible for technology strategy, research and technology development programmes, the Education Programme and the Directorate’s Communication activities.
As Head of the Technology Department, you will be supported by the Advanced Concepts and Studies Office, the Technology Programme Office, the Technology Coordination and Planning Office, the Education Office, and D/TEC and ESTEC Communication.
Duties and Responsibilities
Your tasks and responsibilities will include:
- Ramping up and leading the newly defined Technology Department (TEC-R);
- Developing and implementing ESA’s overall technology strategy, ensuring alignment with programme needs, future missions and strategic objectives;
- Overseeing the full technology development life cycle (TRL1 to TRL9) by organising studies, research and developments that provide a continuous technology development path, leveraging available resources and competencies;
- Coordinating and harmonising technology developments across ESA’s internal programmes, as well as with European and national technology development programmes, to foster collaboration and enhance efficiency;
- Leading the preparation of future missions by conducting early-phase studies, system analyses and feasibility assessments and establishing mission baselines to support decision-making for ESA leadership and Member States;
- Developing effective R&D processes in partnership with D/TEC business partners, senior technical authorities and system engineers to ensure that user and programme needs are addressed, enhancing innovation and efficiency;
- Collaborating with the Director of Commercialisation, Industry and Competitiveness (D/CIC) to align R&D activities with commercialisation strategies, amplifying ESA’s competitive position in the marketplace;
- Coordinating with the Director of Operations (D/OPS) on ground system R&D activities to ensure smooth integration with broader technical and operational goals;
- Managing the integration of education-related activities into R&D processes to optimise knowledge-sharing and innovation within the Agency;
- Optimising the communication of ESA’s technical expertise, infrastructure and capabilities to internal and external stakeholders, increasing visibility and fostering partnerships;
- Leading D/TEC’s internal and external communication activities, working closely with ESA’s corporate Communication team to ensure consistent messaging and engagement;
- Chairing the Senior Future Programme Board to provide leadership in shaping future programme directions and ensuring alignment with ESA’s strategic priorities.
You will also be responsible for identifying, assessing, managing and reporting the health and safety risks in your area of responsibility.
Required Qualifications
A master’s degree or PhD in engineering is required for this post.
Additional requirements
In addition, you should have:
- Change management experience;
- Proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a team in a project or R&D environment or similar;
- The ability to provide strategic direction to the individuals and teams within the Department 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;
- The ability to think strategically;
- Awareness of relevant industry standards and regulations that impact technology development and commercialisation;
- The ability to influence internal stakeholders;
- Strong relationship management skills to engage with large numbers of stakeholders;
- Strong team player qualities and the ability to build TEC-R internal and external team spirit;
- The ability to lead roadmaps and strategy without formal disciplinary authority;
- The ability to simplify complexity;
- A strong mindset for decision-making and the assumption of responsibility;
- The ability to organise and manage in a systematic manner.
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.
Competencies
Relevant knowledge about space systems, their technological principles and the underlying basic technologies, as well as the relevant engineering and development processes
Ability to create and execute a strategic technology plan aligned with ESA’s goals and industry trends
Expertise in managing the development of technologies through all technology readiness levels (TRL1–9)
Knowledge of designing and managing R&D processes that meet technical, user and programmatic needs
Experience in conducting early-phase mission studies and feasibility assessments and establishing mission baselines
Competence in managing risks and resources for R&D projects
Behavioural competencies
- Result Orientation
- Operational Efficiency
- Fostering Cooperation
- Relationship Management
- Continuous Improvement
- Forward Thinking
For more information, please refer to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook
Nationality and Languages
Please note that applications can only be considered from nationals of one of the following States:
Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia.
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.
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