About this job

ESA is looking for a Planetary Protection and Space Debris Mitigation Officer.
Description
Planetary Protection and Space Debris Mitigation Officer in the Independent Safety Office, Product Assurance & Safety Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.The Independent Safety Office is responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, maintenance of ESA policies, requirements, standards and functional support to ESA projects for:

• Planetary Protection;
• Space Debris Mitigation;
• Nuclear Safety for applications in space;
• Re-entry safety;
• Human Spaceflight Safety.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Head of the Independent Safety Office, the Planetary Protection and Space Debris Mitigation Officer will be responsible for maintaining ESA Space Debris Mitigation and Planetary Protection Policies and technical requirements, liaising with International bodies and Space Agencies and ensuring ESA space mission compliance with ESA Space Debris Mitigation and Planetary Protection Policies and related technical requirements. The main responsibilities for this position will include:

• Focal point for ESA’s Planetary Protection and Space Debris Mitigation capability, maintenance of ESA’s Space Debris Mitigation and Planetary Protection Policies, related requirements and oversight of their implementation;
• Supporting the Head of the Independent Safety Office and serving as advisor to the ESA management for matters related to Space Debris Mitigation and Planetary Protection;
• Focal point for coordinating and interacting with relevant European space agencies, international partner space agencies and international bodies for the definition of planetary protection rules and processes;
• Leading interaction with COSPAR, UNCOPOUS and relevant academic organisations in the field of Planetary Protection in coordination with relevant functions in ESA;
• Reviewing and approving planetary protection categorisation for ESA missions in line with the ESA Planetary Protection Policy;
• Providing expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects for compliance with the technical requirements related to ESA Policies on Planetary Protection and Space Debris Mitigation;
• Leading independent evaluation of compliance of ESA missions with ESA Space Debris Mitigation and Planetary Protection Policies, statutory requirements and international obligations;
• Advising the Head of the ESA Product Assurance and Safety Department and ESA management regarding the implications of programmatic decisions involving risks to space debris mitigation and planetary protection compliance;
• Initiating and managing R&D activities on Planetary Protection in close cooperation with TEC lead engineers, the Materials Physics &Chemistry Section (TEC-QEE) and the Life Support & Physical Sciences Instruments Section (TEC-MMG);
• Fostering and supporting the maintenance and development of ECSS standards related to Space Debris Mitigation and Planetary Protection;
• Contributing to the definition of Planetary Protection-related technology development requirements and work plans for ESA’s Technology Programmes in close cooperation with TEC Lead Engineers;
• Monitoring applicable scientific and technological trends, maintaining state-of-the-art expertise in Planetary Protection and Space Debris Mitigation issues;
• Ensuring dissemination of information and the transfer of knowledge across the Agency on Space Debris Mitigation and Planetary Protection;
• Providing regular reporting to ESA corporate and programme level related to the compliance with the ESA Space Debris Mitigation and Planetary Protection Policies;
• In the execution of the tasks above, you will liaise with and be supported by the contamination and bioburden control experts in the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality;
• Duties may also include supporting other activities within the postholder’s field of competence.

Profile

Technical competencies
General background and specific experience in the technical domains covered by the position
Experience in the domain of Space Debris Mitigation, Planetary Protection and the related regulatory framework
Knowledge of ESA Space Debris Mitigation requirements and their implementation
Spacecraft hardware

Education
A Master’s degree in engineering or a related scientific discipline is required.

Additional requirements
Work experience shall include involvement in the development and acceptance of spacecraft hardware complying with ESA Planetary Protection requirements as well as knowledge of ESA Space Debris Mitigation requirements and their implementation. Excellent influencing and communication skills, both oral and written as well as proactive team spirit with a demonstrated ability to lead disciplinary and inter-disciplinary groups of experts, are required.

For a complete job description and to apply, click on “apply”.

The closing date for applications is 1 March 2021.

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 at contact.human.resources@esa.int. —————————————————————————————————————————————————– Please note that applications are only 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 and Slovenia. 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. (http://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/careers/NationalityTargets.pdf)

We offer
The European Space Agency (ESA) is an equal opportunities employer that offers competitive salaries exempt from national income tax and excellent employment conditions, such as allowances for expatriates and relocation support. For more information: http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA

About us
We are the European Space Agency. Our mission is the peaceful exploration and use of space for the benefit of everyone. We watch over the Earth, develop and launch inspiring and unique space projects, train astronauts and push the boundaries of science and technology, seeking answers to the big questions about the Universe. We are a family of scientists, engineers and business professionals from all over Europe working together in a diverse and multinational environment. We are dedicated to united space in Europe and united Europe in space. Learn more: http://www.esa.int/