Head of the Earth Observation Projects Department - 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 teams responsible for design and implementation of space segment of approved Earth observation missions up to launch and in-orbit commissioning
• Direct, plan, distribute and monitor projects
• Ensure consolidation of final programmatic framework of future missions (cost, schedule, procurement, geo-return)
• Ensure approved mission requirements are implemented within agreed schedule and cost at completion
• Interface with industry to support project teams
• Interface on technical and programmatic issues with Member States and partner organisations
• Implement ESA industrial policy for elements under responsibility
• Develop and motivate departmental staff through performance assessment, learning encouragement, delegation and feedback

Are you eligible?

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

• Education: Master's in engineering or physics
• Experience: 15 years of relevant professional experience
• Key skills: Management and development of complex space systems, Interaction with European space industry at highest level, including contract negotiation, Project and technical management, Strategic direction to individuals and teams, Problem anticipation and complex issue solving, Managing managers and large entities encompassing several teams, Leading, motivating and developing a team of managers, Driving performance and fostering cooperation within and across teams, Leadership, relationship management and communication skills (oral and written), Representing Agency's interests to external interfaces

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: 4 years, extendable to indefinite.

Working arrangements: On-site at ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands. Mobility is inherent to management functions and position may be subject to rotation after approximately five years..

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

Position details

Reference

1450299333

Last Verified

23 October 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Head of the Earth Observation Projects Department at ESA based in Noordwijk (Other). The vacancy reference is 1450299333.

Job Requisition ID:21152

Date Posted:23 October 2026

Closing Date:20 November 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication Method:Internal & External

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

Directorate:Earth Observation Programmes

Location ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description

Reporting directly to the Director of Earth Observation Programmes, the Head of the Earth Observation Projects Department is responsible for the overall system definition and management of approved ESA Earth observation programmes up to and including launch and in-orbit verification.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

- leading the teams responsible for the design and implementation of the space segment of approved Earth observation missions undertaken by ESA (including Earth Explorer, Scout, Earth Watch, meteorological, Copernicus, ERS-EO and national programmes) up to and including launch and in-orbit commissioning; - directing, planning, distributing and monitoring projects; - ensuring and endorsing the consolidation of the final programmatic framework of the future missions to be implemented (cost at completion, schedule, procurement and geo-return); - ensuring that the approved mission requirements are implemented within the agreed schedule and established cost at completion; - interfacing with industry, as needed, to support project teams; - interfacing on technical and programmatic issues with Member States and partner organisations, for example EUMETSAT for meteorological missions and the European Commission for Copernicus missions; - implementing ESA industrial policy for the elements under your responsibility; - developing and motivating departmental staff members by assessing performance, encouraging learning and development, delegating responsibilities and providing regular and constructive feedback; - encouraging synergy across project teams and creating a sense of unity and purpose between teams and across ESA, recognising team success and supporting any relevant ESA corporate activities; - dealing effectively with sensitive or difficult situations, liaising with Human Resources as required; - ensuring that a long-term, strategic view is taken for the Department and effectively communicating that strategy and vision; - maintaining close cooperation with all EOP departments: Future Missions and Architecture (EOP-F) for the preparation of future missions; EO Mission Management and Ground Segment (EOP-G) for ground segment aspects; and Science, Applications and Climate (EOP-S) for science aspects and commercialisation.

You will be assisted by programme managers and project managers, as well as by the Project Control and Management Support and System Support functions. In carrying out your duties, you will liaise closely with other departments and offices within the Directorate, and draw on the support of other Agency directorates.

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

Technical competencies

Experience in the management and development of complex space systems

Interaction with European space industry at the highest level, including contract negotiation

Project and technical management

Behavioural competencies

Education and professional experience

A master's in engineering or physics is required for thi s post, together with 15 years of relevant professional experience.

Additional requirements

You should have:

- the ability to provide strategic direction to individuals and teams and relate team objectives to the overall and evolving organisational goals and context; - the ability to anticipate problems, solve complex issues and relate situations to their context, as well as the ability to support others (team members, senior management and other stakeholders) in this process; - previous experience of managing managers and managing a large entity encompassing several teams.

You should also have:

- proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a team of managers; - 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 take solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions of a high standard and with integrity, as well as the ability to support others (team members, upper management and 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 23 October 2026, today.

The application deadline is 20 November 2026, 27 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 23 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.