WIVERN Payload Manager, Noordwijk-Binnen

WIVERN Payload Manager

Job Requisition ID: 20376

Date Posted: 5 May 2026

Closing Date: 26 May 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication: Internal&External

Type of Appointment: 4 years, extendable to indefinite

Directorate: Earth Observation Programmes

Workplace: Noordwijk, NL

Grade Band: A2 - A4

Location: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description WIVERN Payload Manager in the WIVERN Project in the Earth Explorer Missions Programme within the Earth Observation Project Department, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes.

WIVERN, Wind Velocity Radar Nephoscope, is the 11th Earth Explorer Mission. It is designed to deliver the first global observations of the three-dimensional wind field, along with associated cloud and precipitation structures, across a wide range of atmospheric phenomena. In addition, it will provide valuable observations of sea ice and snow, as well as ocean surface currents. These observations will address critical gaps in the current global observation system.

At the heart of the mission is a conically scanning 94 GHz Doppler radar, which operates from a 500 km near‑polar orbit. With a 3 metre conically scanning antenna, the mission will sample across an 800 km swath, with vertical resolution of 600 metres and horizontal resolution of approximately 1 kilometre. With near‑daily global coverage, WIVERN will enable the measurement of in‑cloud winds from the surface to the upper stratosphere.

You will report to the WIVERN Project Manager within the Earth Observation Programmes Department. You will be responsible for managing the implementation (Phases B1/B2/C/D/E1) of the WIVERN payload. You will be in charge of functionally leading and coordinating support from other engineers working on the project, as well as specialised technical support from the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

Duties

leading the payload‑related Phase B industrial technology pre‑development procurement to ensure TRL6 achievement on time for the satellite PDR milestone;

preparing, evaluating and negotiating the Phases B2/C/D/E1 procurement of the WIVERN payload and the Phases B/2/C/D/E1 procurement of the complete WIVERN satellite for the payload aspects and the interfaces with the satellite;

completing Phases B/2/C/D/E1 (design, development and commissioning) of the WIVERN payload, ensuring consistency with the specifications and the timely availability of the flight hardware;

monitoring the payload procurement industrial work, ensuring the timely resolution of any payload‑related non‑conformance or anomaly and coordinating appropriate expert support;

in coordination with the system and spacecraft engineering teams, consolidating and maintaining the instrument requirements, ensuring coherence with the mission requirements and constraints;

in coordination with the system and spacecraft engineering teams, consolidating and maintaining the payload interface requirements, ensuring consistency of satellite interfaces with payload needs;

ensuring that the operability of the payload is fully compatible with the overall WIVERN satellite operations, observability and availability requirements in coordination with the WIVERN System Manager;

ensuring the consistency of the design, testing and performances of the WIVERN payload with mission needs;

monitoring AIV/AIT activities at payload equipment and payload level to ensure the proper and timely conduct of all payload AIT activities;

ensuring the timely availability of all payload design, interface data and associated operations documentation and databases, consistent with the overall satellite needs;

supporting the payload aspects of the other sections of the WIVERN project as regards the interface with the Mission Advisory Group (e.g. payload performance and specific calibration needs);

coordinating with the other sections within the WIVERN project to ensure compliance with space debris mitigation requirements as regards payload aspects (e.g. design for demise);

monitoring the payload development risks and defining and managing the implementation of mitigation;

in close collaboration with the Product Assurance Manager, ensuring compliance with PA and safety processes and standards;

coordinating with the WIVERN system team the needs for payload calibration, and monitoring the calibration implementation;

supporting the WIVERN Project Manager for related general Project reporting tasks (weekly, monthly, risk review, QSR) and Project management task delegation when required;

building up and leading the payload team, including the definition of day‑to‑day tasks, objectives and priorities as well as the setting of annual performance objectives and their assessment (including training needs), ensuring the team’s motivation and commitment to the Project's goals.

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

Technical competencies

Experience of managing technical interfaces between payload and platform, both within an ESA project team environment and in an industrial consortium

Experience with industrial procurement and the development of payloads, verification processes and the conduct of reviews, including concrete experience in Phases B2/C/D/E1

Knowledge of microwave radar payload design and development

Knowledge of ESA Space system development and PA standards

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation

Operational Efficiency

Fostering Cooperation

Relationship Management

Continuous Improvement

Forward Thinking

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

Education And Professional Experience A master’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline is required for this post together with 10 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

The potential to manage individuals or a team in a project or R&D setting;

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 would be an asset, as would international experience, i.e. outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities.

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, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.

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 at

.

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.

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, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.

According to the ESA Convention, staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking …