Ariane 6 Exploitation Monitoring System Engineer

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Job Requisition ID: 20773

Date Posted: 3 September 2026

Closing Date: 17 September 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

This is a fixed-term appointment with an initial duration of 4 years. Depending upon performance and organisational needs, the appointment may be extended up to a possible maximum duration of 8 years.

Location
ESA Headquarters, Paris, France

Description

Ariane 6 Exploitation Monitoring System Engineer, Ariane Programme Department, Directorate of Space Transportation.

In this role, you will be embedded within the ArianeGroup exploitation team in Vernon. The scope of your responsibility will cover all Ariane 6 exploitation activities relating to ArianeGroup SaS in Vernon.

You will report to the Ariane 6 Exploitation Monitoring Manager within the Ariane Programme Department.

Ariane 6 exploitation monitoring is a key aspect of ESA’s role in the exploitation of Ariane 6, aimed at:

• managing the risks associated with guaranteeing available, reliable and independent access to space in Europe at affordable conditions; and
• identifying strategies for the reduction of such risks, which may be implemented through accompaniment contracts.

For exploitation monitoring, you will monitor the technical progress of the Ariane 6 exploitation activities, including launcher integration in mainland Europe and in Kourou, mission preparation, launch system readiness and post-flight analysis with a view to identifying risks to Ariane 6 exploitation. In addition, you may follow critical LEAP – MQO activities (Launcher Exploitation Accompaniment Programme – Maintien en Qualification Opérationnelle) crucial for exploitation monitoring.

As part of the embedded team, you will work within the ArianeGroup exploitation team at its premises for the purposes of risk assessment. You will typically spend three to four days per week at ArianeGroup’s premises, with the rest of your time spent at ESA HQ Daumesnil with the Ariane 6 team in the Directorate of Space Transportation.

In carrying out the assigned tasks, you will have access to Ariane 6 technical information in accordance with the applicable non-disclosure rules agreed between ArianeGroup and ESA. Personal security clearance would be an advantage for such access.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• serving as the technical interface for the embedded team co-located with industry and ensuring a lean and efficient link with the ESA team located at HQ Dausmenil, i.e. the Oversight team;
• leading the Ariane 6 technical risk assessment for ESA, as part of exploitation monitoring, in order to anticipate and assess technical risks and identify associated mitigation actions;
• contributing to close interaction between the embedded team, the back office and the Oversight team.

Under the agreed risk management process, and in coordination with the Oversight team, you will:

• lead independent technical activities, such as analyses and inspections, with back-office support, in order to identify potential technical project risks;
• share the final results of these verification activities with the industrial project team at ArianeGroup;
• propose to the Oversight team any corrective actions that could be recommended to ArianeGroup, should these actions not be agreed directly with ArianeGroup.

Significant experience in the development and exploitation of launch vehicles, subsystems and equipment, in particular in the area of cryogenic propulsion

Knowledge of the space industry

Knowledge of space transportation systems

Understanding of the European launcher sector and the relevant roles

Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking

A master's degree in an engineering discipline is required for this post together with 5 years of relevant professional experience.

Additional requirements

You should have:

• the ability to organise your activities, proposing and discussing priorities
• the ability to take a step back and apply an engineering mindset to pinpoint topics for deeper exploration
• the ability to summarise complex topics clearly
• strong problem-solving skills to deal with day-to-day operational challenges, together with demonstrated planning and organisational skills.
  the ability to engage on a daily basis with people from various organisations, without a contractual relationship, based on recognised expertise
• fluency in French

International experience, i.e. outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities, is an asset.

Diversity, Equity and Incl