F3 Mission 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:

• Lead spacecraft development activities for F3 mission Phase A/B and Phases C/D/E1
• Lead invitation to tender (ITT) for industrial procurement contract
• Manage spacecraft competitive definition Phase A/B with two industrial prime candidates
• Oversee spacecraft procurement, launch and in-orbit commissioning
• Monitor delivery of science instruments by national teams
• Procure science instrumentation elements under ESA's responsibility
• Ensure interface with national agencies funding the payload
• Procure launch services

Are you eligible?

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

• Education: Master's degree in Engineering or Applied Physics
• Experience: 5 years of relevant professional experience in principle
• Key skills: Project management experience in spacecraft development with Member States collaboration, Knowledge of industrial costs and schedule aspects, Understanding of space science instrumentation and related constraints, Space system development and PA standards, Complex project risk management processes, Negotiation skills, Drive performance and foster cooperation within team and across interfaces, Anticipate, analyse and solve complex problems, Reach solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions, Demonstrate integrity

Contract and working arrangements

Working arrangements: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands.

Hiring unit: Future Missions Department (SCI-F).

Position details

Reference

1433488733

Last Verified

15 September 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for F3 Mission Project Manager at ESA based in Noordwijk (Other). The vacancy reference is 1433488733.

Job Requisition ID:20870

Date Posted:3 September 2026

Closing Date:24 September 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication:Internal & External

Location

ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description

F3 is the third Fast-class (F-class) mission in ESA’s Science Programme. Two candidate missions will be selected by the Science Programme Committee (SPC) in November 2026 for Phase 0, and F3 mission selection is planned in November 2027. F3 mission adoption by the SPC is planned in June 2030 at Preliminary Design Review (PDR), with launch in 2034.

Reporting to the Head of the Future Missions Department (SCI-F), you will be in charge of the mission Phase A/B and, subject to mission adoption by the SPC, Phases C/D/E1, until completion of the spacecraft in-orbit commissioning.

You will be involved in Phase 0 and will lead the invitation to tender (ITT) for the industrial procurement contract, requesting the proposal for Phase A/B and a preliminary proposal for Phase C/D/E1. Parallel contracts are planned for Phase A/B, with selection of the prime contractor shortly after mission adoption.

Duties

You will be responsible for the definition, manufacturing and launch of the F3 space segment, including the follow-up of the science instruments and the preparation of the spacecraft operations (Mission Operations Centre [MOC] and Science Operations Centre [SOC]) with the support of ESOC and ESAC. You will manage the interface between the project, industrial partners and the scientific community as a whole.

Your core task will be to lead the spacecraft development activities to ensure in-orbit performance within schedule and budget targets. You will manage all spacecraft-related activities under ESA’s responsibility, with the support of your project team. These include:

- the spacecraft competitive definition Phase A/B, nominally involving two industrial prime candidates, following a design-to-cost approach while preserving the mission’s core scientific objectives; this phase will end upon mission adoption by the SPC and the selection of the industrial prime contractor; - the spacecraft procurement, launch and in-orbit commissioning (Phases C/D/E1), which will conclude at the beginning of nominal in-orbit operations; - monitoring all aspects of the delivery of the science instrument by the national teams, including pre-developments in Phase A/B to secure the schedule, technical interfaces, engineering tasks and schedule; - procuring the science instrumentation elements under ESA’s responsibility; - ensuring a smooth interface with the national agencies funding the payload; - procuring the launch services; - managing the ESA project team, including the project team in SCI-F and support provided by the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality (D/TEC) and the Directorate of Operations (D/OPS); - interfacing with the Project Scientist, the SOC Manager, and the MOC Manager in D/OPS; - managing the project’s budget with the support of the Project Controller; - preparing inputs and reports for delegate bodies, such as the SPC and the Industrial Policy Committee (IPC).

As not all mission elements are under ESA’s direct responsibility, a proactive approach is required to anticipate potential problems occurring in the partnership and propose mitigating actions to safeguard the mission’s general objectives. This includes complying with the schedule and project costs. Regular and ad hoc reporting to SCI-F is also required to ensure that the most appropriate solutions are chosen when critical decisions need to be made.

Managerial responsibilities include:

- defining and communicating a clear strategy for team objectives in line with overall project priorities; - promoting an effective work environment by encouraging cooperation and collaboration within the team and with the various project interfaces; - supporting team members with professional improvement and development.

You will also be responsible for identifying, assessing, managing and reporting the health and safety risks in your area of responsibility.

Technical competencies

Project management experience in spacecraft development involving collaboration with Member States

Knowledge of industrial costs and schedule aspects

Understanding of space science instrumentation and related constraints

Space system development and PA standards

Complex project risk management processes

Negotiation skills

Behavioural competencies

Education and professional experience

A master's degree in Engineering or Applied Physics is required for this post together with, in principle, 5 years of relevant professional experience.

Additional requirements

You must have the ability to:

- drive performance and foster cooperation within the team and across interfaces; - anticipate, analyse and solve complex problems; - reach solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions that are of a high standard; - demonstrate integrity; - build positive relationships with both the scientific communities and industrial partners involved.

You must also have:

- proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a team of experts; - the ability to delegate where appropriate; - excellent communication skills, both oral and written; - a structured and effective approach to planning and organisation, both for your own responsibilities and those of the team; - the potential to manage individuals or a team of experts; - the ability to organise their activities and ensure a motivating work environment; - strong leadership capabilities, with proven relationship management and communication skills; - the ability to drive your team’s performance, developing your people by encouraging learning, delegating responsibility and giving regular and constructive feedback; - strong problem-solving skills to deal with day-to-day operational challenges, together with demonstrated planning and organisational skills; - strong results orientation with the ability to set priorities and present practical solutions both orally and in writing; - the ability to manage challenging situations proactively and constructively and to be customer focused; - 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.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 4 September 2026, 11 days ago.

The application deadline is 24 September 2026, 7 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 15 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.