Head of the Systems and Project Support Section - European Space Agency (Darmstadt)

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 the system aspects in all cross-cutting activities across the various Sections in the Division
• Lead the system-level specification, design and architectural evolution of ESTRACK ground stations
• Follow up implementation and verify the performance and suitability of the stations for operations
• Coordinate the provision of engineering matrix services to all ESA programmes and third party projects throughout all mission phases
• Provide active support for ESA programmes and future missions during early mission phases
• Consolidate mission requirements, conduct trade-off studies and define communication architecture
• Specify system requirements and design for RF and optical ground-based assets
• Coordinate support for special mission operation phases (e.g. LEOP, orbit insertion, Delta-DOR navigation)

Are you eligible?

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

• Education: Master's degree in a relevant domain
• Experience: Five years of relevant professional experience
• Key skills: Systems engineering and management capabilities for complex solutions, Knowledge of the domain's ecosystem and landscape, Coordinating engineering matrix support for different lines of business, Ability to spin-in innovation and successfully manage change, Strong competence in eliciting and capturing customer needs, Delivering innovative, efficient and operable systems within time, quality and budget constraints, Team management experience, Interacting with ESA programmes, international partners, ESA delegations, standardisation bodies and technology development processes, Strong leadership capabilities with proven relationship management and communication skills, Strong problem-solving skills

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: 4 years, extendable to indefinite.

Working arrangements: ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany.

Hiring unit: Ground Station Engineering Division, Ground Systems Engineering and Innovation Department, Directorate of Operations.

Position details

Reference

1450262033

Last Verified

22 October 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Head of the Systems and Project Support Section at ESA based in Darmstadt (Other). The vacancy reference is 1450262033.

Job Requisition ID:20943

Date Posted:22 October 2026

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

Publication Method:Internal & External

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

Location ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany

Description

Head of the Systems and Project Support Section in the Ground Station Engineering Division, Ground Systems Engineering and Innovation Department, Directorate of Operations.

The Systems and Project Support Section is responsible for the system aspects of all cross-cutting activities across the various sections in the Ground Station Engineering Division. In particular, it is responsible for the specification, design and evolution of ESA Tracking Station Network (ESTRACK) ground station systems.

The Section coordinates the provision of engineering matrix support to all ESA programmes and third party projects, throughout all mission phases, in the Division's domains of expertise for ground-based RF and optical applications, including space communication, navigation, timing, radars and space safety applications.

You, as the Head of the Systems and Project Support Section, will lead the management and evolution of the Ground Segment Reference Facility, coordinate the technology developments across the Division and act as the Lead Technical Authority for ground station engineering.

Duties

- Lead the system aspects in all cross-cutting activities across the various Sections in the Division; - Lead the system-level specification, design and architectural evolution of ESTRACK ground stations, follow up implementation, and verify the performance and suitability of the stations for operations; - Coordinate the provision of engineering matrix services to all ESA programmes and third party projects, throughout all mission phases, including space communication, navigation, timing, radars and space safety applications. This involves in particular: - active support for ESA programmes and future missions during early mission phases; - consolidation of mission requirements, trade-off studies and definition of communication architecture; - specification of system requirements and design for RF and optical ground-based assets; - coordination of support for special mission operation phases (e.g. LEOP, orbit insertion, Delta-DOR navigation).

- Ensure consistency between the ESTRACK station performance in all relevant transmit and receive frequency bands for all missions entrusted to ESA; - Take on the role of Lead Technical Authority for ground stations engineering; - Coordinate the technology development, harmonisation and standardisation activities of the Division and represent the domain in related forums (TECNET, CCSDS, IOAG, etc.); - Follow the evolution of the industrial landscape in relevant application domains and coordinate the technology evolution roadmaps in close collaboration with industry; - Manage the Ground Segment Reference Facility (GSRF) and its evolution; - Lead radio frequency compatibility tests (RFCT) in coordination with the Ground Operations Division for ESTRACK stations, subsystem validation tests for ESTRACK stations, radar stations, optical ground stations, and complete ground segment validations under mission specific configuration control; - Manage industrial contracts and services for the above activities.

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

Technical competencies

Demonstrated competencies and experience in the Section’s domain

Proven systems engineering and management capabilities for complex solutions and associated systems

Knowledge of the domain's ecosystem and landscape

Demonstrated experience of coordinating engineering matrix support for different lines of business

Demonstrated ability to spin-in innovation and successfully manage change

Strong competence in eliciting and capturing customer needs

Demonstrated track record of delivering innovative, efficient and operable systems within time, quality and budget contraints

Behavioural competencies

Education and professional experience

A master's degree in a relevant domain is required for this post together with five years of relevant professional experience.

Additional requirements

Team management experience as well as experience in interacting with ESA programmes, international partners (at managerial and technical level), ESA delegations, standardisation bodies and technology development processes would be an asset.

- The potential to manage individuals; - 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 22 October 2026, today.

The application deadline is 12 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 22 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 Darmstadt see our Darmstadt 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.