Earth Observation Service Manager

 

Location
ESRIN, Frascati, Italy  

Description

Earth Observation Service Manager in the Copernicus Ground Segment Services Section, Copernicus Ground Segment and Data Management Division, EO Mission Management and Ground Segment Department, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes. 

 

Copernicus is the Earth Observation (EO) component of the European Union’s Space Programme, offering accurate, accessible data for environmental management, climate change mitigation and civil security. 

 

ESA is developing a digital ecosystem for the Copernicus Space Component (CSC) and Destination Earth (DestinE) data management to foster data exploitation activities and the growth of a sustainable network of European industrial services. 

 

ESA is implementing this digital ecosystem for the Copernicus and DestinE programmes based on an industrial service-oriented architecture relying on cloud technology and innovative solutions to optimise scalability and performance, providing users with timely access to high-quality data from Sentinel missions in the framework of Copernicus and access to an ecosystem of digital twin-related services in the framework of DestinE. 

 

The Copernicus Ground Segment Services Section is responsible for the definition, procurement, management and evolution of the operational industrial services contributing to the Copernicus Space Component operations, such as EO payload data acquisition, EO data processing, EO data archiving and service operations coordination, the aim being to achieve continuous innovation, cost-effectiveness, security and environmental sustainability objectives while ensuring the availability of high-quality data and services. 

 

Additional information about the activities of the Division can be found at:
https://sentinels.copernicus.eu/ 
https://platform.destine.eu/
https://dataspace.copernicus.eu/
https://eopf.copernicus.eu/eopf/
https://referencesystem.copernicus.eu/
https://dea.destine.eu/web/stories/viewer/678d89d8a7437528b8f7800e
https://sentiwiki.copernicus.eu/web/copernicus-operations
https://operations.dashboard.copernicus.eu/

Duties

In close coordination with the Head of Division and the other Sections of the Division, your tasks and responsibilities will include:

 

• planning, organising and managing the procurement of the required EO services and the associated allocated budget;
• contributing to the strategic evolution of EO operational service architecture and definition, enabling timely, efficient and cost-effective responses to the future operational challenges of the Copernicus programme; 
• defining and maintaining technical and service requirements, service level of performance and cost models associated with the implementation of the EO operational services; 
• managing the deployment and delivery of the EO operational services, monitoring and reporting on their level performance in accordance with the relevant service level and application of the internal processes. This includes contributing to risk management definition, mitigation actions and lessons learned exercises;
• identifying and assessing the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, for example in the areas of cloud computing, HPC, AI, data analytics, data processing and standard data access interfaces, tailored to the EO domain to enhance the performance, reliability, capabilities and environmental sustainability of ESA’s Operational Framework for Copernicus  (EOF-CSC)  and DestinE ecosystem service operations and big data management; 
• identifying and assessing the operational implementation of innovative approaches for the operational Sentinel product definition and data architecture to support scalable and cost-effective access to the increasing data volumes and manage their industrial service implementation. 

 

This position will provide exposure to coordinating EO and IT industrial teams in Europe and to cutting-edge technologies and methodologies in the fields of Earth Observation, big data management and cloud computing.

Technical competencies

Understanding of EO data, processing and applications across various EO domainsExperience in multidisciplinary EO data engineering, such as EO data analytics, EO data engineering, EO data processing, EO data formatsExperience in the design or implementation of EO data management solutions with cloud-native services or big data frameworksKnowledge of machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) in relevant areas, such as the EO domain, Earth science modelling, operational processes, or processorsUnderstanding of scalable and distributed systems architecture for EO big data management and operations of EO ground systemsExperience in managing operational projects or services

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

Education

A master’s degree or PhD in a relevant field, including but not limited to engineering, computer science, Earth observation, and/or data management, is required for this post.

Additional requirements

• At least three years of relevant professional experience
• Understanding of EO missions
• Programming skills, particularly in Python and for cloud-based environments
• Proven ability to effectively work within a team and across teams in an international environment
• Strong problem-solving skills to deal with day-to-day operational challenges
• Demonstrated planning and organisational skills
• Strong result orientation with the ability to set priorities and present practical solutions both orally and in writing
• Effective negotiation skills
• Flexibility to work on a variety of topics
   

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness 
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.

At the Agency we value diversity, and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email at contact.human.resources@esa.int.
 

Important Information and Disclaimer
In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level.

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.

Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have. 

 

Nationality and Languages 
Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia. 

According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States*. When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates and secondly to external candidates from under-represented Member States*. 

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.  

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.