Head of the CSG Operations and Kourou Office Division

Head of the CSG Operations and Kourou Office Division

Job Requisition ID: 20987

Date Posted: 19 October 2026

Closing Date: 9 November 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication Method: Internal & External

Type of Appointment (learn more): 4 years, extendable to indefinite

Directorate: Space Transportation

Workplace:

Kourou, FR

Grade Band: A5 - A5

Location

Kourou, French Guiana

Description

Head of the CSG Operations and Kourou Office Division (STS-IG), reporting to the Head of the Infrastructure and Value Chain Department (STS-I) within the Directorate of Space Transportation (STS), with a functional reporting line to the Director of Space Transportation for strategic matters. The Division is responsible for overseeing, coordinating and monitoring infrastructure, operational support and associated activities at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana (CSG). The Division ensures that spaceport infrastructure, common assets and supporting services remain available, safe, compliant and fit for current and future launch operations. ESA provides significant funding for infrastructure, facilities and operational activities at CSG. These activities are implemented by CNES for range-related functions, and by industrial stakeholders for launcher and propellant production, integration and launch operations. The Division is responsible for representing ESA’s interests and ensuring the effective implementation, monitoring and optimisation of ESA-funded programmes, contracts and investments. The spaceport is currently undergoing a major transformation through modernisation and adaptation programmes aimed at improving efficiency, resilience and sustainability, while accommodating an increasing diverse range of launch services and space transportation systems. The Division contributes to defining and implementing the long-term evolution strategy for the spaceport and its infrastructure, ensuring alignment with the future needs of European space transportation programmes. As Head of the ESA Office in Kourou, you will act as ESA’s senior representative in French Guiana and ensure effective coordination with local and national authorities, institutional partners, industrial stakeholders and the wider space community. You will also be responsible for ESA’s external relations, communication and outreach activities in the territory. In this role, you will contribute to maintaining and developing Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana as a modern, efficient, sustainable and competitive multi-user spaceport supporting Europe’s long term access to space.

Duties

The Division is responsible for overseeing, coordinating and monitoring infrastructure, operational support and associated activities at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana (CSG). The Division ensures that spaceport infrastructure, common assets and supporting services remain available, safe, compliant and fit for current and future launch operations. ESA provides significant funding for infrastructure, facilities and operational activities at CSG. These activities are implemented by CNES for range-related functions, and by industrial stakeholders for launcher and propellant production, integration and launch operations. The Division is responsible for representing ESA’s interests and ensuring the effective implementation, monitoring and optimisation of ESA-funded programmes, contracts and investments. The spaceport is currently undergoing a major transformation through modernisation and adaptation programmes aimed at improving efficiency, resilience and sustainability, while accommodating an increasing diverse range of launch services and space transportation systems. The Division contributes to defining and implementing the long-term evolution strategy for the spaceport and its infrastructure, ensuring alignment with the future needs of European space transportation programmes.

Technical competencies

• Demonstrated experience in the management of complex engineering, infrastructure or operational programmes, including planning and implementation, schedule and cost control, risk management and performance monitoring.
• Solid knowledge of ground segment, launch site and/or operational infrastructure systems, including their design, development, integration, qualification, operation, maintenance and evolution.
• Proven professional experience within the space sector, preferably in a space agency, launch organisation or industrial environment involved in the development, operation or maintenance of critical infrastructure and mission-critical systems.
• Experience in assessing and justifying infrastructure investments, including cost-benefit analysis, return-on-investment evaluations and the preparation of business cases to support strategic decision-making.
• Good understanding of launcher and payload preparation activities, launch campaigns, launch oper