Head of the Future Space Transportation Preparation Department - European Space Agency (Paris)

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.

Position details

Reference

1417721633

Last Verified

24 July 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Head of the Future Space Transportation Preparation Department at ESA based in Paris (Other). The vacancy reference is 1417721633.

Job Requisition ID:20683

Date Posted:22 July 2026

Closing Date:19 August 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication:Internal & External

Directorate:Space Transportation

Location

ESA Headquarters, Paris, France

## Description

Head of the Future Space Transportation Preparation Department, reporting directly to the Director of Space Transportation.

As Head of the Future Space Transportation Preparation Department, you will be a member of the Directorate’s management team and will participate in decision-making for all major activities covered by the Directorate.

You will be responsible for preparing future space transportation systems, technologies and architectures in line with the strategy for the European space transportation sector. You will contribute to securing ESA’s role in future space transportation infrastructure by establishing an end-to-end system view of ESA’s space transportation activities.

## Duties

Your duties will include:

* developing and motivating the members of the Department by assessing performance, encouraging learning and development, delegating responsibilities and providing regular and constructive feedback; * developing future space transportation infrastructure architecture scenarios, considering new technologies and the emergence of commercial systems; * defining the high-level requirements for future ESA space transportation capabilities, including high-thrust engines, as input into their implementation; * conducting system studies, identifying and developing space transportation solutions relating to technology development needs, and maintaining the related technology roadmaps; * preparing new elements and follow-on activities of the Future Launchers Preparatory Programme (FLPP) and implementing the FLPP Core Element and the Themis/Reusability and Prometheus Elements; * closely interfacing and cooperating with the European Launcher Challenge and Boost! programmes in the Directorate of Commercialisation and Industry Partnership to develop synergies; * assessing the use of existing and future technologies and preparing programme proposals relating to space transportation building blocks; * ensuring coordination with the departments responsible for infrastructure programmes and for the Vega and Ariane programmes, as well as with the other ESA programmes relating to in-orbit services.

You will be assisted by project managers, as well as by the Project Control and Management and System Support functions.

In carrying out your duties, you will liaise closely with other departments and offices within the Directorate and will draw on the support of other ESA directorates.

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

## Technical competencies

Strong technical knowledge of launch systems

Interaction with European space industry at the highest level

Project and technical management

## Behavioural competencies

## Education and professional experience

A master's degree in an engineering domain is required for this post, together with 15 years of relevant professional experience.

## Additional requirements

You should have:

* experience of leading, motivating and developing a team; * 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, resolve complex issues and relate situations to their context and to support others, such as team members, senior management and other stakeholders, in this process; * previous experience of innovation and/or change management in a large organisation; * 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 make solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions of a high standard and with integrity.

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 22 July 2026, 4 days ago.

The application deadline is 19 August 2026, 22 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 24 July 2026 (2 days ago).

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 Paris see our Paris location page.

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