Copernicus LSTM 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:

• Manage end-to-end procurement and technical management of the LSTM project within agreed technical specification, cost and schedule
• Manage industrial contract(s) and interface with industry on project matters
• Represent the project and provide reporting to ESA technical authorities, Mission Advisory Group, and ESA Delegate Bodies
• Manage the LSTM ESA project team and coordinate support from multiple Directorates
• Identify, assess, manage and report health and safety risks in area of responsibility

Are you eligible?

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

• Education: Master's degree in a scientific/engineering domain required; alternatively, bachelor's degree complemented by an additional four (4) years of relevant professional experience
• Experience: 10 years of relevant professional experience required with master's degree; proven experience leading and motivating teams in a project; people management experience required; international experience is an asset
• Key skills: Knowledge of space system development and PA standards, Knowledge of space projects, including instrumentation and operations, Knowledge of ESA and industrial development, verification and procurement processes, Knowledge of industrial costs and schedule aspects, Delivery of complex projects within cost and schedule, Complex project risk management, Leadership and team motivation, Strategic direction and relationship management, Excellent communication skills, oral and written, Analytical, delegation, planning and organisational skills

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: 4 years, extendable to indefinite.

Working arrangements: On-site at ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands; mobility inherent to management functions with potential rotation after approximately five years.

Hiring unit: Earth Observation Programmes Directorate, Earth Observation Projects Department.

Position details

Reference

1439359433

Last Verified

21 September 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Copernicus LSTM Project Manager at ESA based in Noordwijk (Other). The vacancy reference is 1439359433.

Job Requisition ID:20900

Date Posted:21 September 2026

Closing Date:12 October 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication:Internal & External

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

Directorate:Earth Observation Programmes

Location ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description

Project Manager for the Copernicus Land Surface Temperature Monitoring Project in the Copernicus Space Segment Programme of the Earth Observation Projects Department, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes.

You will report to the Copernicus Space Segment Programme Manager, within the Earth Observation Programmes Department. You will be responsible for managing the Copernicus LSTM Project protoflight and the recurrent satellite(s) implementation (Phases B2/C/D/E1).

Duties

Your specific responsibilities and duties will include:

- Responsibility for the end-to-end procurement and technical management of the LSTM project within the agreed technical specification, cost and schedule; - Management of the industrial contract(s) related to area of responsibility, and interfacing with industry for all projects matters; - Representation of the project, and associated reporting, in front of ESA technical authorities (e.g. Inspector General, audit, frequency coordination, Security Office, Independent Safety Office,…), Mission Advisory Group, and ESA Delegate Bodies (DOSTAG); - Management of the LSTM ESA project team and associated support from the Directorates of Earth Observation Programmes; Technology, Engineering and Quality; Controlling, Finance and Operational Procurement; and Operations, ensuring that all appropriate information is available to all Project participants such that they can discharge their responsibilities efficiently within the agreed framework. - You will also be responsible for identifying, assessing, managing and reporting the health and safety risks in your area of responsibility.

Technical competencies

Knowledge of Space system development and PA standards

Knowledge of space projects, including instrumentation and operations

Knowledge of ESA and industrial development, verification and procurement processes

Knowledge of industrial costs and schedule aspects

Delivery of complex projects within cost and schedule

Knowledge and Experience in complex project risk management

Behavioural competencies

Education and professional experience

A master’s degree in a scientific/engineering domain is required for this post together with 10 years of relevant professional experience. Alternatively, candidates with a bachelor’s degree, complemented by an additional four (4) years of relevant professional experience can be considered.

Additional requirements

- Proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a team in a project; - The ability to provide strategic direction to the individuals and teams within the Project 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, solve complex issues and relate situations to their context; - The ability to reach solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions of a high standard and with integrity as well as to support others (team members, upper management, other stakeholders) in this process.

People management experience is required, international experience is an asset, including outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities.

Mobility is inherent to management functions and this position may be subject to rotation. Therefore, mobility opportunities may be offered to you as part of your career evolution at ESA, starting after approximately five years in this role.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 21 September 2026, today.

The application deadline is 12 October 2026, 20 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 21 September 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.