CAT Project Manager - European Space Agency (Noordwijk)

About this position

The summary below is published by European Space Agency on the official vacancy notice. Our own analysis — salary realism, comparable openings, career trajectory, language profile — follows further down the page.

Key responsibilities

According to the vacancy notice, the role centres on the following duties:

• Active contribution to Phase B1 of the CAT project to ensure smooth transition to implementation phases
• End-to-end procurement of Phase B2/C/D/E
• Hands-on technical management of the CAT project covering development of space segment and ground segment
• Management of industrial CAT contract(s) including negotiation of changes
• Preparing and conducting project reviews in cooperation with Inspector General's Office
• Management of CAT ESA Project Team including prioritisation of activities
• Ensuring availability of and coordinating additional experts from Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality
• Identifying project risks at ESA level and implementing risk mitigation measures

Are you eligible?

Check these requirements from the notice before investing time in an application:

• Education: Master's degree in engineering
• Experience: More than 10 years of hands-on experience in spacecraft Phase B2/C/D/E; 10 years of relevant professional experience
• Key skills: Technical management and monitoring of industrial activities, Participation in reviews and management of large industrial consortiums, System engineering, AIT/AIV and PA standards, Knowledge of industrial cost and schedule aspects, Complex project risk management processes, Knowledge of ESA and industrial procurement processes, Experience in spatialisation of new technologies, Experience in implementing small missions with tight schedules and cost constraints, Experience in tailoring the ECSS

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: 4 years, extendable to indefinite.

Working arrangements: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands.

Hiring unit: Mission Implementation Division of the Space Safety Programme.

Position details

Reference

1448589833

Last Verified

18 October 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for CAT Project Manager at ESA based in Noordwijk (Other). The vacancy reference is 1448589833.

Job Requisition ID:20988

Date Posted:16 October 2026

Closing Date:6 November 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication Method:Internal & External

Type of Appointment (learn more):4 years, extendable to indefinite

Location ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description

The ADRIOS (Active Debris Removal [ADR] and In-Orbit Servicing [IOS]) missions, undertaken in the framework of ESA's Space Safety Programme, aim to establish viable ADR and IOS capabilities and services in Europe, such as rendezvous, inspection, capture, life extension, relocation, de-orbiting or repair of satellites.

The Mission Implementation Division of the Space Safety Programme is responsible for implementing these missions, including the CAT mission, through Phases B2/C/D/E.

The ever-increasing number of satellites in orbit poses a significant risk to operational spacecraft and the sustainability of space activities. As the number of satellites increases, so does the risk of collisions and the creation of space debris. The ESA CAT mission aims to demonstrate ADR capabilities for a prepared client satellite equipped with ESA's standard navigation and mechanical interfaces, known as MICE. This involves performing rendezvous and capture operations fully autonomously. In line with ESA’s Zero Debris by 2030 initiative, the CAT-IOD mission is paving the way for the future of Active Debris Removal (ADR).

ADRIOS missions often involve relatively new space companies with ambitions in the commercial market, requiring ESA project teams to provide specialist expertise and to adopt a pragmatic approach.

This role offers the opportunity to contribute to pioneering space sustainability technologies under the Space Safety Programme, helping to advance satellite servicing, debris mitigation, and sustainable orbital operations.

Duties

Your key responsibilities will include:

- active contribution to Phase B1 of the CAT project to ensure a smooth transition to the implementation phases; - end-to-end procurement of Phase B2/C/D/E; - hands-on technical management of the CAT project, covering the development of the space segment and ground segment, in compliance with the agreed technical and programmatic requirements, i.e. cost, schedule and georeturn, and ensuring compatibility with the future constellation; - management of the industrial CAT contract(s), including the negotiation of any changes, in coordination with the Contracts Officer and the Project Controller; - preparing and conducting project reviews, in close cooperation with the Inspector General’s Office; - management of the CAT ESA Project Team, including prioritisation of activities and key areas requiring attention; - ensuring the availability of and coordinating additional experts from the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality; - identifying the project risks at ESA level, implementing risk mitigation measures and agreeing on the acceptable level of risk when issues arise; - planning and active control of the project's cost at completion; - planning and allocating all the resources for the project; - controlling the schedule, implementing schedule risk mitigation/recovery actions when needed; - reporting regularly to management and escalating problems when required; - supporting the Head of Division with: - ESA Programme Boards - ESA internal committees (AC/IPC) - interfaces with Member States - preparation of the Council meeting at ministerial level

- applying pragmatic decision-making processes to balance ideal solutions with project constraints; - sharing experience and knowledge with industry in a constructive and result-oriented manner; - capturing and sharing lessons-learned with other project managers in the Division, and with other teams in the Department.

Technical competencies

More than 10 years of hands-on experience in spacecraft Phase B2/C/D/E

Technical management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in reviews and management of large industrial consortiums

System engineering, AIT/AIV and PA standards

Knowledge of industrial cost and schedule aspects

Complex project risk management processes

Knowledge of ESA and industrial procurement processes

Experience in spatialisation of new technologies

Behavioural competencies

Education and professional experience

A master's degree in engineering and, in principle, 10 years of relevant professional experience are required for this post.

Additional requirements

- Experience in implementing small missions with tight schedules and cost constraints; - Experience in tailoring the ECSS; - A background in robotic systems/functional architecture/GNC/software/would be a strong asset.

You should also:

- be able to work autonomously, take initiative and adopt a hands-on approach; - demonstrate strong leadership, with proven stakeholder relationship management and communication skills; - be able to anticipate problems, seek flexible solutions and make pragmatic, timely decisions; - be result-oriented and able to set priorities

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 18 October 2026, today.

The application deadline is 6 November 2026, 17 days from today. Late applications are not accepted, so submit through the official EU Careers portal well in advance.

Last verified against the EU Careers feed on 18 October 2026.

Where to learn more

For headcount, mission, and other open vacancies at ESA see the ESA institution page; for the cost of living, correction coefficient, and other postings in Noordwijk see our Noordwijk location page.

New to EU careers? Our beginner's guide walks through entry routes, EPSO competitions, and what to prepare. For application logistics see application tips and EPSO competitions.