VN 24/36 Launch Service Manager

The Programme Preparation and Development Department (PRD) manages current and next-generation mandatory programmes in various phases of development in addition to other activities. This include the EUMETSAT Polar System Second Generation (EPS-SG), Meteosat Third Generation (MTG), current and future Ocean Altimetry and Copernicus Sentinel Missions and a constellation of small satellites, EPS-Sterna.

This post is located within the Office of the Director of PRD and reporting to the Institutional Launch Service (ILS) Manager. The successful candidate will be responsible for the provision of organisational and engineering support for the ILS with initial emphasis on launch service management, launcher interface and launch campaign for EPS-SG satellites A1 and B1.

The successful candidate will later on also oversee the procurement and management of launch services for EPS-Sterna satellites in direct support of the EPS-Sterna Programme Manager.

• Manage the interaction and networking with relevant space agencies, satellite prime and the launch service provider, in particular
  • on compatibility tests with the launcher adapter or activities linked with the System Verification Tests (SVTs),
  • to support the analysis of the impact of satellite modifications on the launch service and vice versa (e.g. qualification testing level, LEOP timeline, separation mechanism etc.), and
  • in the planning, preparation and execution of launch campaigns, acting during launch campaigns as customer representative or its deputy at the launch site.
• Advise the ILS Manager, the Programme Managers and D/PRD of problems and risks encountered in the implementation of EUMETSAT’s launch services and propose possible solutions and/or mitigation measures;
• Act as launch service / segment interface with relevant internal stakeholders, ensuring that provisions and support required to achieve Launch and LEOP activities are in place and coordinated;
• In coordination with Quality Assurance, maintain an accurate record of all anomalies, non-conformances, waivers and deviations encountered during launch preparation and launch campaign;

• Monitor the evolution of the launch manifests and the performance of the selected launch service provider(s) to identify any potential impact on the programme including the evolution of the small “new space” launchers market and future trends;
• Manage, perform or support specific studies, including cost/schedule trade-offs, to define the procurement approach for future small launcher services;
• Consolidate and maintain the requirements for small launch services for EUMETSAT’s small satellites / constellations including launcher performances and a full specification of satellite-to-launch vehicle mechanical, electrical and environmental interface requirements and produce and maintain an “envelope” interface requirements document (e.g. Launch Interface Requirement Document);
• Prepare, initiate and implement the procurement of the launch service for small satellites (e.g. EPS-Sterna) including preparation of the internal documentation, evaluation of proposals and negotiation of the contracts in coordination with the Contract Division and Programme Managers;
• Act as Deputy of ILS Manager for the launch of Metop-SGA1 (planned for Q4/2025) and Metop-SGB1 (planned for Q3/2026).

Employment Conditions

The initial contract will be of 4 years’ duration, with subsequent 5 year contracts being awarded thereafter, subject to individual performance and organisation requirements. There is no limit to the amount of follow-up contracts a staff member can receive up to the EUMETSAT retirement age of 63 and there are certainly opportunities to establish a long career perspective at EUMETSAT.
This post is graded A2/A4 on the EUMETSAT salary scales. The minimum basic salary for this post is EURO 7146 per month (net of internal tax but excluding pension contribution and insurances) which may be negotiable on the basis of skills and experience. The salary scale provides for increments on the anniversary of taking up employment, and scales are reviewed by the EUMETSAT Council with effect from 1 January each year. In addition to basic salary, EUMETSAT offers attractive benefits. Further information, including salary details, is available on the EUMETSAT web site.

EUMETSAT is committed to providing an equal opportunities work environment for men and women.
Please note that only nationals of EUMETSAT Member States may apply. The EUMETSAT Convention requires that Staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, account being taken of the international character of EUMETSAT. Applicants are required to disclose all nationalities they have held and currently hold in order to determine whether they can exercise the role as advertised in compliance with applicable export control regulations.

About EUMETSAT

EUMETSAT is Europe’s meteorological satellite agency. Its role is to establish and operate meteorological satellites to monitor the weather and climate from space - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This information is supplied to the National Meteorological Services of the organisation's Member States in Europe, as well as other users worldwide.

EUMETSAT also operates several Copernicus missions on behalf of the European Union and provide data services to the Copernicus marine and atmospheric services and their users.

As an intergovernmental European Organisation, EUMETSAT has 30 Member States (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.)