About this role
X Head of the Earth Observation Projects Department Job Requisition ID: 21152 Date Posted: 23 October 2026 Closing Date: 20 November 2026 23:59 CET/CEST Publication Method: Internal & External Directorate: Earth Observation Programmes Workplace: Noordwijk, NL Grade Band: A6 - A6 Location ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands Description Reporting directly to the Director of Earth Observation Programmes, the Head of the Earth Observation Projects Department is responsible for the overall system definition and management of approved ESA Earth observation programmes up to and including launch and in-orbit verification. Duties Your tasks and responsibilities will include: - leading the teams responsible for the design and implementation of the space segment of approved Earth observation missions undertaken by ESA (including Earth Explorer, Scout, Earth Watch, meteorological, Copernicus, ERS-EO and national programmes) up to and including launch and in-orbit commissioning; - directing, planning, distributing and monitoring projects; - ensuring and endorsing the consolidation of the final programmatic framework of the future missions to be implemented (cost at completion, schedule, procurement and geo-return); - ensuring that the approved mission requirements are implemented within the agreed schedule and established cost at completion; - interfacing with industry, as needed, to support project teams; - interfacing on technical and programmatic issues with Member States and partner organisations, for example EUMETSAT for meteorological missions and the European Commission for Copernicus missions; - implementing ESA industrial policy for the elements under your responsibility; - developing and motivating departmental staff members by assessing performance, encouraging learning and development, delegating responsibilities and providing regular and constructive feedback; - encouraging synergy across project teams and creating...