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1. GSA and Galileo/EGNOS Services

The European GNSS Agency (GSA) is responsible for the operations and service provision for the European Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) EGNOS and Galileo. By developing a new generation of GNSS, Europe is laying the foundation for new high-technology industry development, leading to job creation and economic growth. These European flagship space programmes, which embody what can be achieved when Europe works together, are already bringing real benefits to people and business in Europe and around the world.

The GSA is operated and supported by a multicultural team of professionals with interdisciplinary expertise working to ensure that the end-user is kept at the centre of Galileo and EGNOS. We analyse, define and implement the EGNOS and Galileo exploitation phases, in compliance with the delegation agreements with the European Commission, including controlling the associated schedule, costs and risks. We oversee the EGNOS and Galileo infrastructure operations, maintenance, protection, on-going improvement and evolutions activities, through associated contracts and/or working arrangements. We also ensure all standardisation activities associated with the EGNOS and Galileo programmes and manage the operational interfaces and service provision to the EGNOS and Galileo users.

With the introduction of the new Space Regulation, expected to enter into force in 2021, it is planned to expand the Agency’s scope of activities beyond Galileo and EGNOS, to other components, such as “Copernicus” for Earth Observation, GOVSATCOM for Governmental Space Communications and Space Situational Awareness (SSA).

For more information on the Agency and the European Space Programme, click here.

2. TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The System Engineer will be involved in the system and infrastructure engineering and development activities related to the exploitation of the EU GNSS and GOVSATCOM Systems deployed in various sites (e.g. Galileo/EGNOS Control Centres, Galileo Security Monitoring Centres, Service facilities) and managed by the Agency.

The System Engineer tasks and responsibilities will in principle include:

• Contribute to the technical management of the system and segment infrastructure activities;
• Support the GSA development follow up, system qualification and acceptance activities for Galileo First Generation, EGNOS V2/V3 and GOVSATCOM;
• Specify, design and follow up the evolutions of the Ground infrastructure, to be implemented by industrial contracts;
• Participate in the system engineering processes for managing requirements through the lifecycle of the system and ground segments;
• Support the technical analysis of the architecture and specifications of major upgrades of the system and ground segments, in order to ensure coherence and compatibility with the system in exploitation and identify impacts on baseline technical documentation;
• Support the definition of an overall System Integration and Verification (I&V) Programme, ensuring consistency between system and segments verification but also between verification and validation activities;
• Establish a System upgrades deployment/migration plan consistent with service continuity needs;
• Monitor the qualification status, following up anomalies resolution through the implementation of Work Arounds, fast fixes, midterm-long term correction;
• Maintain the qualification status, assessing any changes with respect to impact on system qualification;
• Verify that the system upgrades are under configuration control prior handover to operations team;
• Follow up the development of the Galileo Second Generation from the system and infrastructure point view, performed by the European Space Agency;
• Represent the GSA in the relevant boards as necessary (including but not limited to Change Control Boards, Anomaly Review Boards, Qualification Review Board, Acceptance Review Board);
• Support the GSA management as needed.

3. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

The selection procedure is open to applicants who satisfy the following eligibility criteria, on the closing date for application:

1. A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma when the normal period of university education is four years or more
   OR
   A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma and at least one year of appropriate professional experience when the normal period of university education is three years
2. In addition to the above, appropriate professional experience of at least six years after obtaining the required diploma
3. Be a national of a Member State of the European Union
4. Be entitled to his or her full rights as citizen
5. Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by the applicable laws concerning military service
6. Meet the character requirements for the duties involved
7. Have a thorough knowledge of one of the languages of the European Union and a satisfactory knowledge of another language of the European Union to the extent necessary for the performance of his/her duties
8. Be physically fit to perform the duties linked to the post

Temporary agents (2f) from GSA and other EU agencies, in grade AD7 or AD8, are also invited to apply in accordance with the following GSA rules: https://www.gsa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/conditions_of_employment_of_temporary_staff_ta.pdf

4. SELECTION CRITERIA

All eligible applications, according to the afore-mentioned criteria, will be assessed against the requirements listed below. 

The Selection Board responsible for this selection will determine the criteria to be assessed in the various phases of the selection procedure (assessment of the application forms, interview and written test) prior to being granted access to the names of the applicants. All essential criteria will be assessed during the applications evaluation phase.

Non-compliance with any of the essential criteria may result in the exclusion of the candidate from the selection process. Advantageous criteria constitute additional assets and will not result in exclusion, if not fulfilled.

When filling the online application, candidates are expected to include elements that demonstrate that their profile matches the requirements below.

Essential criteria

1. University degree in the exact sciences, such as engineering, physics, mathematics or computer science;
2. Experience in system and/or ground segment engineering, verification and qualification activities;
3. Excellent command of both written and spoken English;

Advantageous criteria

1. Experience in space programme(s) and/or knowledge of navigation, earth observation or telecommunication space programmes;

Behavioural competencies

1. Motivation;
2. Solution-oriented mind-set and collaborative attitude;
3. Excellent organisational and planning skills;
4. Communication and negotiation skills with ability to be concise on complex subjects;
5. Ability to deliver quality results under pressure and prioritise tasks.

5. SELECTION PROCEDURE

The current vacancy is for establishment of a reserve list.

The selection procedure includes the following steps:

• Applications must be complete and successfully submitted via the e-recruitment tool within the deadline set for the vacancy notice.
• For each selection procedure, the Authority Empowered to Conclude Contracts of the Agency appoints a Selection Board. The Board’s deliberations are confidential and applicants are strictly forbidden to contact its members.
• An automatic screening of all valid applications will be carried out by means of the e-recruitment tool in order to verify their compliance with the eligibility criteria. The eligibility screening will be verified and endorsed by the Selection Board responsible for the procedure.
• All eligible applications will be then evaluated by the Board based on the selection criteria defined in this vacancy notice.
• The candidates whose applications rank among the best-qualified in accordance with the selection criteria (the minimum threshold is 65% of the total points), may be contacted to verify (through a video-recorded interview) their studies, professional experience and/or other knowledge and competencies as indicated in their application. This step in pre-selecting the most suitable candidates does not, however, entitle candidates to be invited for an interview.
• The best-qualified candidates, those who obtained the highest scoring within the evaluation, will be short-listed for an interview and a written test.
• Prior to the day of the interview candidates will be requested to send photocopies of all the supporting documents for their educational qualifications and employment necessary to prove that they meet the eligibility criteria. GSA has the right to disqualify applicants who fail to submit all the required documents.
• During the interview, the Selection Board will examine each candidate’s profile and will assess their relevancy for this post. Shortlisted candidates will be also required to undergo a computer-based written test relevant to the job content (the minimum threshold for this test is 50% of the total points allocated for it).
• Interviews and written test will be held in English, however knowledge of another EU languages may also be tested. Mother tongue English speakers will be expected to demonstrate their knowledge of a second EU language in line with Article 28(f) of the Staff Regulations.
• All candidates short-listed for an interview may also be requested to complete an online Business Attitude Questionnaire.
• As a result of the interviews, the Selection Board will recommend the most suitable candidate(s) for this post to be placed on a reserve list. The minimum threshold to be placed on the reserve list is 65% of the total points.
• The best-ranked candidates will be invited for a final interview with the Authority Empowered to Conclude Contracts. The interview will focus on the overall suitability of the candidate for the post covering motivation, relevant technical and behavioural competencies, in line with the selection criteria established in the vacancy notice.
• The Authority Empowered to Conclude Contracts will ultimately decide on the successful candidate to be appointed to the post.
• The established reserve list may also be used for recruitment of similar posts depending on the Agency’s needs. Where a similar post becomes available, the Authority Empowered to Conclude Contracts may select applicants from the list according to their profile in relation to the specific requirements of the post to be filled. However, inclusion on the reserve list does not guarantee employment.
• The validity of the reserve list is indicated in the vacancy notice and its duration might be extended if deemed necessary.
• Normally, the recruitment procedure can take up to 6 months from the date on which a position is first advertised to the final offer being made.
• If, at any stage of the procedure, it is established that any of the information the candidate has provided is incorrect, the candidate in question will be disqualified.

Indicative date for the interview and written test: July 2020. The date might be modified depending on the availability of the Selection Board members.

Candidates are strictly forbidden to make any contact with the Selection Board members, either directly or indirectly. Any infringement of this rule will lead to disqualification from the selection procedure.

6. APPLICATION PROCEDURE

In order to be considered for this position, candidates need to create an account by registering via the GSA e-recruitment tool.

Only applications submitted via the e-recruitment tool will be accepted. Applications sent via email or post will not be taken into consideration.

Multiple applications received for the same position via different accounts will lead to the exclusion of the applicant from the selection procedure.

Important: the information provided by candidates in their online application constitutes the solely basis for the assessment of the eligibility and selection criteria. Therefore, they are invited to carefully read the requirements and to provide the relevant information in such detail that would allow this assessment. Particular attention should be paid to information on the education and professional experience, in particular exact dates, description of responsibilities and duties carried out.

All sections of the application should be completed in English in order to facilitate the selection procedure.

In order to be considered, applications must be received by the closing date indicated in the vacancy notice.

Candidates are advised to submit the application well ahead of the deadline in order to avoid potential problems during the final days before the closing date of applications’ submissions. The Agency cannot be held responsible for any last-minute malfunctioning of the e-recruitment tool due to heavy traffic on the website.

Please consult the e-recruitment guideline for instructions on completing the application.

this job offer is not open for applications