Head of the CSG Operations and Kourou Office Division - European Space Agency (Kourou)

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:

• Oversee, coordinate and monitor infrastructure, operational support and associated activities at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana (CSG)
• Ensure spaceport infrastructure, common assets and supporting services remain available, safe, compliant and fit for current and future launch operations
• Represent ESA's interests and ensure effective implementation, monitoring and optimisation of ESA-funded programmes, contracts and investments
• Contribute to defining and implementing the long-term evolution strategy for the spaceport and its infrastructure
• Act as ESA's senior representative in French Guiana
• Ensure effective coordination with local and national authorities, institutional partners, industrial stakeholders and the wider space community
• Manage ESA's external relations, communication and outreach activities in the territory
• Lead the CSG Operations and Kourou Office Division

Are you eligible?

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

• Education: Master's degree in engineering, aerospace engineering, systems engineering, physics, industrial engineering or another relevant discipline
• Experience: Minimum of 15 years of relevant professional experience; substantial experience in the management of complex infrastructure, engineering or operational activities, preferably within the space sector; proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a multi-disciplinary team in the context of complex technical infrastructure projects; people management experience required
• Key skills: Management of complex engineering, infrastructure or operational programmes, Planning and implementation, Schedule and cost control, Risk management, Performance monitoring, Knowledge of ground segment, launch site and operational infrastructure systems, Infrastructure investment assessment and justification, Cost-benefit analysis, Return-on-investment evaluations, Business case preparation

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: 4 years, extendable to indefinite.

Working arrangements: Position may be subject to rotation; mobility opportunities may be offered as part of career evolution at ESA, starting after approximately five years in this role.

Hiring unit: Space Transportation Directorate, Infrastructure and Value Chain Department, CSG Operations and Kourou Office Division….

Position details

Reference

1449118133

Last Verified

19 October 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Head of the CSG Operations and Kourou Office Division at ESA based in Kourou (Other). The vacancy reference is 1449118133.

Job Requisition ID:20987

Date Posted:19 October 2026

Closing Date:9 November 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication Method:Internal & External

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

Directorate:Space Transportation

Location Kourou, French Guiana

Description

Head of the CSG Operations and Kourou Office Division (STS-IG), reporting to the Head of the Infrastructure and Value Chain Department (STS-I) within the Directorate of Space Transportation (STS), with a functional reporting line to the Director of Space Transportation for strategic matters.

Duties

The Division is responsible for overseeing, coordinating and monitoring infrastructure, operational support and associated activities at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana (CSG). The Division ensures that spaceport infrastructure, common assets and supporting services remain available, safe, compliant and fit for current and future launch operations. ESA provides significant funding for infrastructure, facilities and operational activities at CSG. These activities are implemented by CNES for range-related functions, and by industrial stakeholders for launcher and propellant production, integration and launch operations. The Division is responsible for representing ESA’s interests and ensuring the effective implementation, monitoring and optimisation of ESA-funded programmes, contracts and investments. The spaceport is currently undergoing a major transformation through modernisation and adaptation programmes aimed at improving efficiency, resilience and sustainability, while accommodating an increasing diverse range of launch services and space transportation systems. The Division contributes to defining and implementing the long-term evolution strategy for the spaceport and its infrastructure, ensuring alignment with the future needs of European space transportation programmes. As Head of the ESA Office in Kourou, you will act as ESA’s senior representative in French Guiana and ensure effective coordination with local and national authorities, institutional partners, industrial stakeholders and the wider space community. You will also be responsible for ESA’s external relations, communication and outreach activities in the territory. In this role, you will contribute to maintaining and developing Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana as a modern, efficient, sustainable and competitive multi-user spaceport supporting Europe’s long term access to space.

Technical competencies

Demonstrated experience in the management of complex engineering, infrastructure or operational programmes, including planning and implementation, schedule and cost control, risk management and performance monitoring.

Solid knowledge of ground segment, launch site and/or operational infrastructure systems, including their design, development, integration, qualification, operation, maintenance and evolution.

Proven professional experience within the space sector, preferably in a space agency, launch organisation or industrial environment involved in the development, operation or maintenance of critical infrastructure and mission-critical systems.

Experience in assessing and justifying infrastructure investments, including cost-benefit analysis, return-on-investment evaluations and the preparation of business cases to support strategic decision-making.

Good understanding of launcher and payload preparation activities, launch campaigns, launch operations and associated ground infrastructure.

Demonstrated experience in managing activities involving multiple stakeholders, including institutional partners, industry and operational organisations, in complex programme and operational environments.

Knowledge of safety, security, regulatory and compliance frameworks applicable to operational infrastructure and space transportation activities.

Familiarity with contractual, procurement, industrial policy and governance aspects associated with the implementation of large-scale infrastructure and operational programmes.

Behavioural competencies

Education and professional experience

A master's degree in engineering, aerospace engineering, systems engineering, physics, industrial engineering or another relevant discipline is required for this post together with a minimum of 15 years of relevant professional experience.

Additional requirements

- Substantial experience in the management of complex infrastructure, engineering or operational activities, preferably within the space sector. - Proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a multi-disciplinary team in the context of complex technical infrastructure projects. - The ability to provide strategic direction to the individuals and teams within the Division 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.

Additionally:

- Proven ability to drive performance, promote accountability and support the professional development of staff through coaching, delegation, empowerment and constructive feedback. - Demonstrated ability to manage change and contribute to organisational transformation in a large and complex organisation. - Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise activities, manage competing demands and deliver results in a dynamic operational environment. - Proven ability to represent the Agency’s interests effectively in dealings with external stakeholders, including public authorities, institutional partners, industry and international organisations. - Strong customer and service orientation, with the ability to manage challenging situations proactively, constructively and diplomatically. - Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively in a multicultural and international environment; experience in the management of multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders in an international environment is required. - Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a complex institutional environment and to maintain constructive relationships with public authorities, industrial partners and international stakeholders.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 19 October 2026, today.

The application deadline is 9 November 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 19 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 Kourou see our Kourou location page.

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