Position description
 

Product Assurance and Safety (PA&S) at ESA involves more than approximately 80 people. Their responsibility is to identify and mitigate all aspects that could have adverse consequences on the success of space missions. They think of the aspects of human safety – obviously important for astronauts, but also for the operators at a launch pad, during the testing campaigns or in the labs. Finally, the Product Assurance and Safety group works out how these considerations impact the costs and schedule of a space project.
 

ESA currently need such a person to provide SPA support to ESA projects as assigned, including:
 

·        Contribute to establishing and maintaining the programmatic and technical SPA requirements for the assigned projects within the framework of the ESA SPA policy;

·        Giving project members practical advice how to implement a SPA program in response to the applicable requirements;

·        Monitoring of the proper implementation of the SPA program of the suppliers by assessing the relevant processes and evaluating the outputs and products;

·        Participating to project reviews, meetings, Configuration Control Boards (CCBs), Software Review Boards (SRBs) and Software Delivery Boards as required including working meetings to ensure the achievement of SPA objectives;

·        Contributing to design trade-offs, analyses and reports using metrics supporting project decisions

·        Participating in the processing of NCRs (Non-Conformity Reports), RFWs (Requests for Waivers), Software Problem reports, Software Change Requests, Action Items etc., as required.

Profile:

·        At least five years relevant experience in professional software development and software engineering. 

·        At least three years relevant experience in professional software quality assurance

·        Broad knowledge of software engineering methods, techniques, programming languages and tools

·        Experience with critical software applications

·        Understanding of configuration management principles and tools

·        Familiarity with space product assurance practices together with a good working knowledge of appropriate software tools would be an advantage

·        Practical experience in applying ECSS software standards

·        Knowledge of other international standards for software development and quality assurance is desirable

·        Knowledge of dependability and safety principles and analysis is an advantage

·        Must enjoy working in an international team environment

·        Demonstrates good interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral)

·        Can demonstrate perseverance to achieve goals.

·        Should be used to work independently and in a focused way against tight deadlines.

·        A good knowledge of English is required; some knowledge of French is desirable.

·        Frequent Travel to other ESA member states will be required.

The candidate must be from an ESA member state or associate.

Location:

 ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands

If you are interested, please send your CV with contact details to jobs@rheagroup.com by 27^th August 2008.

 
Rhea is an independent Space Engineering Consulting and Software company that offers knowledge-based services and innovative solutions to the space industry. Here is just one of the opportunities we have available for you to join our team in ESTEC.