JOB DESCRIPTION

Description

European Space Agency is hiring a Earth Observation Service Manager to

Earth Observation Service Manager

Job Requisition ID:19616

Date Posted:12 June 2025

Closing Date:3 July 2025 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication:Internal & External

Type of Contract:Permanent

Directorate:Earth Observation Programmes

Workplace:

Frascati, it

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Grade Band:A2 – A4

Location
Esrin, Frascati, Italy

Description

Earth Observation Service Manager in the Copernicus Ground Segment Services Section, Copernicus Ground Segment and Data Management Division, Mission Management and Ground Segment Department, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes.

Copernicus is the Earth observation (EO) component of the European Space Programme, offering accurate, accessible data for environmental management, climate change mitigation and civil security.

ESA is in charge of a digital ecosystem for the Copernicus Space Component (CSC) and Destination Earth (DestinE) data management to foster data exploitation activities and the growth of a sustainable and competitive network of European industrial services.

ESA is implementing this digital ecosystem for the Copernicus and DestinE programmes based on an industrial service-oriented architecture relying on cloud technology and innovative solutions to optimise scalability and performance, providing users with timely access to high-quality data from Sentinels missions under Copernicus and to an ecosystem of digital twin-related services under DestinE.

The Copernicus Ground Segment Services Section is responsible for the definition, procurement, management and evolution of the operational industrial services contributing to CSC operations (such as EO payload data acquisition, EO data processing, EO data archiving, services operations coordination, etc.), pursuing continuous innovation, cost-effectiveness, security and environmental sustainability objectives, while ensuring the availability of high quality data and services.

Additional information about the activities of the Division can be found by clicking on the following links:

https://sentinels.copernicus.eu/

Home

https://dataspace.copernicus.eu/

EOPF Overview

https://referencesystem.copernicus.eu/
https://dea.destine.eu/web/stories/viewer/678d89d8a7437528b8f7800e
https://sentiwiki.copernicus.eu/web/copernicus-operations
https://operations.dashboard.copernicus.eu/

Duties

You will report to the Head of the Copernicus Ground Segment Services Section and collaborate closely with the other heads of section in the Division. Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

planning, organising and managing the procurement of the required EO services and associated allocated budget.
contributing to the strategic evolution of EO operational services architecture and definition, making it possible to respond in a timely, efficient and cost-effective manner to the upcoming operational challenges of the Copernicus programme.
defining and maintaining technical and service requirements, the service level of performance and cost models associated with the implementation of the EO operational services.
managing the deployment and delivery of the EO operational services, monitoring and reporting on their level of performance in accordance with the respective service level and application of internal processes. This includes contributing to risk management definition, mitigation actions and lessons learned exercises.
identifying and assessing the adoption of cutting-edge technologies (in the areas of Cloud computing, HPC, AI, data analytics, data processing, standard data access interfaces, etc.) tailored to the EO domain to enhance the performance, reliability, capabilities and environmental sustainability of the ESA operational framework for Copernicus (EOF-CSC) and DestinE ecosystem services operations and big data management.
identifying and assessing the operational implementation of innovative approaches for the operational Sentinels product definition and data architecture to support scalable and cost-effective access to increasing data volumes and managing their industrial service implementation.

This position will provide exposure to coordinating EO and IT industrial teams in Europe and to cutting-edge technologies and methodologies in the field of Earth observation, big data management and Cloud computing.

Technical competencies

Understanding of Earth observation data, processing and applications across various EO domains
Experience in multidisciplinary EO data engineering, such as EO data analytics, EO data engineering, EO data processing and EO data format
Experience in design or implementation of EO data management solutions with cloud-native services or big data frameworks
Understanding of scalable and distributed systems architecture for EO big data management and operations of EO ground systems
Experience in managing operational projects/services

Behavioural competencies

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

For more information, please refer to theESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

Education

A master’s degree or PhD in a relevant field, including, but not limited to, engineering, computer science, Earth observation and/or data management is required for this post.

Additional requirements

At least three years of relevant professional experience
Understanding of Earth observation missions
Knowledge of machine learning and artificial intelligence in relevant areas (such as EO, Earth science modelling, operational processes or processors)
Programming skills, particularly in Python and for cloud-based environments
Proven ability to effectively work within a team and across teams in an international environment
Strong problem-solving skills to deal with day-to-day operational challenges
Demonstrated planning and organisational skills
Strong result orientation with the ability to set priorities and present practical solutions both orally and in writing
Effective negotiation skills
Flexibility required to work on different topics

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.

At the Agency we value diversity, and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email [email protected].

Important Information and Disclaimer
In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level.

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency’s security procedures.

Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.

Nationality and Languages
Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.

According to theESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States*. When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates and secondly to external candidates fromunder-represented Member States*.

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements