Description

Earth Observation Engineer in the Ecosystem Development Section (EOP-GCE) within the Copernicus Ground Segment and Data Management Division (EOP-GC), Earth Observation Mission Management and Ground Segment Department (EOP-G), Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes.

ESA – together with its partners and the European Earth Observation and Information Technology industries – is developing a digital ecosystem building on Copernicus and DestinE data management services and applications, the ESA Earth Observation Framework.  
Within the Framework, the Copernicus mission and data management operations are implemented following a service-based architecture that relies on the use of cloud technology to optimise the scalability and performance of the Copernicus space component operations. Future Copernicus mission operations will be integrated in the Framework in line with its architecture and interfaces, and operated according to the Copernicus operations baseline and mission specificities, in particular in relation to the instrument data processing algorithms and specific mission data characteristics.

For more information, you can visit the following links:
–    https://sentinels.copernicus.eu/web/sentinel/home 
–    https://dataspace.copernicus.eu/
–    https://eopf.copernicus.eu

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• actively contributing to defining and managing the implementation of innovative operational solutions to optimise and harmonise the definition and structure of Copernicus Sentinel data with the aim of efficiently streamlining access to the large volume of Earth Observation (EO) data generated by the Copernicus missions;
• providing expertise on Copernicus EO data and advanced analytics;
• defining the operational products and Level 0/Level 1 data processors for future Copernicus missions and managing the associated procurement activities for their open-source development and cloud- or HPC-based implementation;
• supporting the preparation of operations for future Copernicus missions and the management of related activities;
• interacting with the Copernicus Space Segment teams from the early phases of the Copernicus Expansion and Next Generation Space Segment activities, in particular for matters related to payload data processing;
• leading initiatives to define, procure and manage implementation activities aimed at optimising the handling of the Sentinel data in cloud-based and HPC environments and, in particular, their use for simulation, modelling and AI-related applications in the context of DestinE;
• managing the maintenance and evolution of the operational data processors for the first-generation Sentinel mission;
• supporting the definition of the necessary evolutions of the CSC operational framework architecture and technical documentation baseline to integrate and operate the future Copernicus missions;
• supporting the definition and maintenance of mission-specific documentation as part of the overall ESA Copernicus Earth Observation Framework technical baseline;
• supporting the development of an ecosystem of Copernicus or DestinE data management and modelling services to foster user exploitation activities.

Technical competencies

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

A master’s degree in a relevant domain is required for this post.

Additional requirements

The following competencies would be considered assets: 

• High-level motivation and dedication, with the ability to take ownership and act proactively
• Strong problem-solving skills to deal with day-to-day operational challenges, together with demonstrated planning and organisational skills
• Strong result 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.