Launch Services and Technical Coordinator - 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:

• Act as focal point for all launcher activities at Earth Explorer Missions Programme level
• Establish and maintain technical and programmatic dossiers related to launchers and launch services
• Monitor worldwide commercial and institutional launch service market and launch vehicle performances
• Support missions in establishment and monitoring of launch services as Technical Officer
• Support procurement of launcher vehicle and services, negotiate launch services contracts
• Provide technical support for launcher interface definition and launch services procurement
• Support technical activities with launcher providers including feasibility studies and reviews
• Support interface definition between launch service provider and satellite prime contractor

Are you eligible?

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

• Education: Master's degree in a relevant engineering discipline required, or bachelor's degree with additional four years of relevant professional experience
• Experience: 4 years of relevant professional experience; previous professional experience as a controller in a project or programme preferably at agency or industry level
• Key skills: In-depth experience in technical launcher interface management, In-depth experience in spacecraft launch services and associated launch campaigns definition and execution, In-depth experience in procurement, management and monitoring of industrial activities, Experience in spacecraft and/or payload design, development and Assembly, Integration and Verification/Validation, Experience in application and tailoring of ECSS standards for spacecraft developments, Knowledge of launch and early orbit phase and in-orbit commissioning phase definition and execution, Project management and project control principles, Advanced project control techniques, Preparation, negotiation and implementation of major industrial procurements

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: 4 years, extendable to indefinite.

Working arrangements: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands.

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

Position details

Reference

1449789033

Last Verified

21 October 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Launch Services and Technical Coordinator at ESA based in Noordwijk (Other). The vacancy reference is 1449789033.

Job Requisition ID:21107

Date Posted:21 October 2026

Closing Date:11 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

Launch Services and Technical Coordinator in the Earth Observation Projects Department, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes. Reporting to the Earth Explorer Missions Programme Manager, you, as Launch Services Coordinator, will be in charge of the tasks related to the coordination of the procurement and assessment of launch services for the Earth Explorers, SCOUTs, some Earth Watch missions and VIGIL as well as for selected projects of the European Resilience from Space for Earth Observation programme. Furthermore, you will act as back-up for the launch services coordinator for the Copernicus missions. For the missions to which the postholder will be assigned in time sharing, you will be responsible as Technical Officer for the launch service contracts, supporting the execution of the launch services related activities from the initial feasibility studies to (and including) launch campaigns. You will follow the technical definition of the I/F between the spacecraft and their related launch vehicles and, working across more projects, you will aim to optimize and harmonize technical solutions and contractual arrangements between projects and launcher providers. You will also advise each mission on the launcher related activities of the spacecraft industrial contractors. For the execution of these tasks, you will report functionally to the respective project managers and work in close collaboration with the project teams. You will provide support to the Head of the Earth Observation Projects Department in establishing and maintaining technical and programmatic dossiers related to launchers and launch services. You will also act as the contact point with the Collective Launcher Service Procurement and other Directorate of Space Transportation representatives. As Technical Coordinator, you will support the definition and coherent implementation of applicable policies and common technical solutions across the projects. Your responsibilities will also include acting as technical representative for the Earth Observation Projects Department as regards the definition and adoption of some common developments, new technologies and methodologies, and the follow-up of the implementation by the missions.

Duties

Your principal tasks and responsibilities will include:

- acting as the focal point at Earth Explorer Missions Programme level for all launcher activities in the relations with the launcher authorities; - establishing and maintaining technical and programmatic dossiers related to launchers and launch services relevant for the Earth Explorer, SCOUT, some Earth Watch and other relevant missions, including selected missions of the European Resilience from Space for Earth Observation programme and (as back-up) for some Copernicus missions; - monitoring the evolution of the worldwide commercial and institutional launch service market and launch vehicle performances relevant for the Earth Explorer, SCOUT, some Earth Watch and other relevant missions; - supporting the Earth Explorer, SCOUT, Earth Watch and other relevant missions in the establishment and monitoring of launch services, by acting as Technical Officer of related contracts ensuring coordination with other relevant Directorates: - supporting the procurement of the launcher vehicle and services, supporting in the negotiation of the relevant launch services contracts; - providing technical support and expertise for launcher I/F definition and launch services procurement; - providing support for the technical activities to be conducted with the launcher providers such as mission feasibility studies, engineering analyses, PMARs and FMARs; - providing support for the interface definition between the launch service provider authorities and the satellite prime contractor in order to ensure technical and programmatic viability, completeness of documentations and the adequacy of the I/F verification; - participating as Earth Explorer Missions Programme representative in various launch vehicles reviews (e.g. LV qualification review, failure reviews, etc.); - providing support in the preparation of the launch campaign, monitoring also the industrial activities including planning, transport, logistic and definition of launch site activities; - acting as ESA Deputy Launch Campaign Manager during the Earth Explorer missions launch campaigns. - establishing, consolidating and maintaining a list of common technical topics and methodologies that would be candidates for a coordinated implementation approach within the Earth Explorer, SCOUT, some EarthWatch and other relevant missions; - coordinating the assessment of the identified common technical topics involving the relevant projects teams, as well as relevant experts from other ESA mission project teams, departments or directorates, as applicable; - supporting the relevant projects teams in the implementation of common technical topics; - supporting the relevant project teams and Project Controllers in the consolidation of the annual plan for functional support from the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality, ensuring a coherent and efficient implementation; - acting as the Earth Observation Projects Department’s technical representative in specific internal and external forums and working groups.

Technical competencies

In-dept experience in technical (launcher) interface management

In-depth experience in spacecraft launch services and associated launch campaigns definition and execution

In-depth experience in the procurement, management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in negotiations and reviews

Experience in spacecraft and/or payload design, development and Assembly, Integration and Verification/Validation definition and execution

Experience in the application and tailoring of ECSS standards for spacecraft developments

Knowledge of launch and early orbit phase and in-orbit commissioning phase definition and execution

Behavioural competencies

Education and professional experience

A master’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline is required for this post together with 4 years of relevant professional experience. Alternatively, candidates with a bachelor’s degree, complemented by an additional four (4) years of relevant professional experience can be considered.

Additional requirements

Applicants shall have previous professional experience as a controller in a project or programme preferably; at agency or industry level. Experience in another function in finance, controlling and auditing will be considered a (key) asset. Some knowledge and/or understanding of space systems architecture will be also considered an asset. Substantial experience is essential in the application of project management and project control principles and advanced project control techniques, as well as in the preparation, negotiation and implementation of major industrial procurements. Engineering experience in a project or programme will be considered an asset.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 21 October 2026, today.

The application deadline is 11 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 21 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.