Description

Head of the Power Systems, EMC and Space Environments Division in the Electrical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

Under the direct authority of the Head of the Electrical Department, as Head of the Power Systems, EMC and Space Environments Division (TEC-EP), you will be responsible for all aspects of power systems required for ESA spacecraft and payloads.

More specifically, TEC-EP’s responsibilities encompass:

• power sources such as solar generators and nuclear devices;
• electrical energy storage devices such as batteries, super capacitors and fuel cells;
• electrical power management and conditioning systems;
• nuclear power system engineering;
• power distribution and protection techniques and technologies;
• electrical harness design and engineering;
• EMC modelling, engineering and related testing;
• analysis and modelling of space environments and their effects on space systems;
• design of space environments and effects monitoring hardware;
• supporting standardisation activities for all of the above-listed technologies.

The Power Systems, EMC and Space Environments Division’s activities also encompass system trade-offs and detailed assessment of the related technologies, as well as bread-boarding and testing in the associated laboratories and facilities: the Electromagnetic Laboratory and its facilities, the ESA Space Power Laboratory, and its facilities in solar generation, power, and energy storage (battery and fuel cells).

Duties

Reporting to the Head of the Electrical Department, as Head of the Power Systems, EMC and Space Environments Division, you will be responsible for managing the Division and its activities, supported by Heads of Section, who each manage a team of technical experts.

You will be responsible for the technical and strategic management of all aspects of power systems, EMC and space environments required for ESA spacecraft and payloads.

Within these fields of competence, your responsibilities will cover:

• managing the workforce assigned to the Division with accountability for all resources and activities delegated to it;
• overseeing the provision of specialist technical support to ESA projects in all mission phases, reviews, tender evaluations, technical inquiries and audits;
• contributing to the definition, promotion and application of engineering standards;
• actively contributing to the definition of ESA technology programmes, the implementation of these activities and the promotion of internal and external R&D;
• overseeing the preparation and regular updating of technology roadmaps and dossiers;
• supporting the promotion of technology results, including by organising workshops and conferences;
• participation in project reviews, anomaly investigations, and tender evaluation boards;
• ensuring appropriate support to European industry in all areas of your field of competence.

At managerial level, your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• establishing the (multi-year) plan of activities for the Division, covering required competences and assignment of resources;
• maintaining state-of-the-art expertise within the Division;
• driving the development of people within your area of responsibility;
• managing staff functional mobility and changes;
• accountability to the hierarchy for all daily matters within the Division;
• supporting teamwork, the exchange of experience and lessons learned, and the gathering of feedback;
• contributing to the continuous improvement of working procedures, tools, processes, expert working methods and delivery methods;
• ensuring a positive and motivating working environment for the Division;
• communicating ESA values and ensuring compliance with all ESA policies;
• anticipating and resolving sensitive or difficult situations, detecting and managing health and safety issues, and liaising with HR as required.

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

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking

For more information, please refer to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook.

Education

You should have a master’s degree in physics or electrical/electronic engineering, as well as extensive experience in one or more of the technical areas covered by the Division.

Additional requirements

You should also have:

• proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a team of experts in a project or R&D environment;
• 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, resolve complex issues and relate situations to their context;
• the ability to make solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions of a high standard and with integrity as well as to support others, such as team members, upper management and other stakeholders, in this process.

Previous experience of managing managers and multiple teams is an asset.