Location
ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany
Description
Mission Operations Security Officer in the Technical and Management Support Office, Mission Operations Department (OPS-O), Directorate of Operations (D/OPS).
The Technical and Management Support Office is responsible for providing expertise in mission operations security for the ground segment and operations to missions entrusted to ESOC or supported by OPS. For aspects relating to the mission operations security of other projects, support is provided on a case-by-case basis.
Within the Office, you will support mission operations preparation and execution with operational (cyber) security aspects. You will assist the Mission Operations Security Team Lead in handling missions operations security and will support the Cyber Security Manager (CSM) in their mandate, identifying and supporting the implementation of ESA security policy for the missions operated by the Department. You will also provide support to programmes involving missions operated by institutional and commercial partners for ground segment and operations security-related matters.
Duties
You will initially be assigned to supporting the OPS-O Missions’ Project/System Security Officers (PSSOs) and CSM in discharging their functions relating to operations security for missions operated by OPS-O, potentially taking on a PSSO role at a later stage in the context of increasingly high demand for operations (cyber) security engineering and coordination.
Your duties may also include supporting projects and missions operated by ESA’s institutional and commercial partners in the domain of mission operations security. Under the coordination of the Missions Operations Security Team Lead, and interfacing with the relevant team, your tasks will include interfacing, from a customer perspective, with the Cyber Security Operations Centre (CSOC) for functions relating to mission operations.
Your tasks will include:
* supporting the Spacecraft Operations Managers/Heads of Units to address operations security-related mattersl, such as certification and approvals (e.g. system security policy renewal and endorsement);
* performing mission security risk assessment, assessing the security risks of the missions entrusted to the Department, and the applicable security directives or security requirements flowing down from the various projects;
* ensuring the fulfilment of Directorate- and Agency-level security policy and procedures for the missions supported;
* providing engineering support for operations security-related matters, for example security audits, requirements development and the preparation of specific mission security operations procedures;
* supporting the Spacecraft Operations Managers/Flight Control Teams for spacecraft operations engineering tasks focusing on security aspects and on specific security-related systems, tools, and products;
* assisting the OPS-O Cyber Security Manager and Missions Operations Security Team Lead in interfacing with the Cyber Security Operations Centre and the dedicated team within the Mission Operations Infrastructure Maintenance and Operations Team and, in particular, identifying mission operations security requirements for their implementation within the CSOC;
* assisting the Head of the Office within the specification, development, validation, maintenance and evolution of the ground segment systems and operational products required to conduct mission operations in accordance with the missions' security requirements and Directorate/Agency security policy;
* providing expertise and support to other areas within the Agency, industry, the user community, external centres and/or agencies in the domains of mission operations, ground segment and system validation, and space-to-ground interfaces;
* supporting the relevant security teams in the context of programmes, projects and missions operated by ESA’s institutional and commercial partners in the field of operations security.
Technical competencies
General background and specific experience in the technical domains covered by the position, especially in the area of security and cyber security operations
Experience in security engineering and standards, preferably applied to space
Knowledge of space mission ground segment and operations
Understanding of the development and maintenance of ground infrastructure and/or software systems
Knowledge of large operations and associated software systems, preferably space-based
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 STEM domain is required for this post together with 2 years of relevant professional experience. Alternatively, candidates with a bachelor’s degree, complemented by an additional 4 years of relevant professional experience can be considered.
Additional requirements
Experience in security engineering and standards, preferably applied to space, is mandatory.
Flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to prioritise tasks in a multi-subject/multi-project operational environment are required.
The following are considered assets:
* Security certifications such as CISSP or CISM
* Personal security clearance
* Experience in managing the human factor of information security, in ground segment design and operations, mission planning and scheduling aspects, as well as knowledge and, preferably, direct experience of both spacecraft platform and subsystem operations
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 contact.human.resources@esa.int.
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 and sanctions regulations & eligible to acquire the security clearance by their national security administrations.
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 into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the Member States.
The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.