This position is classified A2-A4 on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale.
This position forms part of ESA's Advance Recruitment Scheme which is established to provide appropriate staffing resources when requirements materialise.
Appointments are therefore made for an initial duration of two years upon which you may be appointed to a permanent post at the Agency.
Cost Engineer in the Cost Engineering Section, Systems Engineering Division, Systems Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.
Reporting to the Head of Section and within the technical fields described above, your main tasks and responsibilities will include:
• Preparation of independent cost estimates in support of projects and other procurement actions for all areas of ESA activity with due consideration being given to technical, programmatic, planning and procurement aspects;
• Comparative analysis of industrial contractors’ estimates, prices and cost-at-completion;
• Participation in tender evaluation boards and associated cost-related panels;
• Participation in project reviews;
• Supporting industrial contract negotiations;
• Cost engineering tasks in the context of assessment studies in the Concurrent Design Facility.
To carry out these tasks, you will use and contribute to the development and maintenance of models, analysis tools, databases and methodologies, including:
• ECOS, the ESA Costing Software;
• the Cost Engineering Section’s cost/technical databases;
• design-to-cost and risk analysis techniques and tools covering the whole life-cycle cost;
• ESA internal parametric cost and schedule estimating models.
The closing date for applications is 4 November 2020.
If you require support with your application due to a disability, please email .
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Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Latvia and Slovenia.
According to the ESA Convention the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States. When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates and secondly to external candidates from under-represented Member States.
(http://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/careers/NationalityTargets.pdf)
In accordance with the European Space Agency’s security procedures and as part of the selection process, successful candidates will be required to undergo basic screening before appointment.
Recruitment will normally be at the first grade in the band (A2); however, if the candidate selected has little or no experience, the position may be filled at A1 level.
A Master’s degree in an engineering discipline applicable to space is required.
Preference will be given to those with an engineering background and who can demonstrate experience with the systems approach, taking account of cost, technical and programmatic aspects such as planning and risks.
Experience in cost estimating, preferably for space activities, is required. Experience in developing and using relevant software applications such as commercially available parametric models as well as qualifications in econometrics or economics are considered assets.
Other Information
For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the ESA Competency Framework.
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.
The Agency may require applicants to undergo selection tests.