About this role
X F3 Mission Project Manager Job Requisition ID: 20870 Date Posted: 3 September 2026 Closing Date: 24 September 2026 23:59 CET/CEST Publication: Internal & External Type of Appointment : 4 years, extendable to indefinite Directorate: Science Workplace: Noordwijk, NL Location ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands Description F3 is the third Fast-class (F-class) mission in ESA's Science Programme. Two candidate missions will be selected by the Science Programme Committee (SPC) in November 2026 for Phase 0, and F3 mission selection is planned in November 2027. F3 mission adoption by the SPC is planned in June 2030 at Preliminary Design Review (PDR), with launch in 2034. Reporting to the Head of the Future Missions Department (SCI-F), you will be in charge of the mission Phase A/B and, subject to mission adoption by the SPC, Phases C/D/E1, until completion of the spacecraft in-orbit commissioning. You will be involved in Phase 0 and will lead the invitation to tender (ITT) for the industrial procurement contract, requesting the proposal for Phase A/B and a preliminary proposal for Phase C/D/E1. Parallel contracts are planned for Phase A/B, with selection of the prime contractor shortly after mission adoption. Duties You will be responsible for the definition, manufacturing and launch of the F3 space segment, including the follow-up of the science instruments and the preparation of the spacecraft operations (Mission Operations Centre [MOC] and Science Operations Centre [SOC]) with the support of ESOC and ESAC. You will manage the interface between the project, industrial partners and the scientific community as a whole. Your core task will be to lead the spacecraft development activities to ensure in-orbit performance within schedule and budget targets. You will manage all spacecraft-related activities under ESA's responsibility, with the support of your project team. These include: - the spacecraft competitive definit...