Sentinel-2 Quality Engineer

Serco is a leading Space Services Provider with thousands of skilled resources that has supported over 50 space missions on behalf of more than 10 Space or Government agencies around the globe, including the ESA and NASA. Serco offers space capability across the full space lifecycle from satellite testing to Launch services, LEOP to spacecraft operations, space surveillance to data management, and supporting downstream application development. With over 55 years history in the space sector Serco is well placed to contribute to National strategies and New Space ventures who want to scale their businesses/organizations with skilled talent.

We are currently looking for a dynamic and skilled Sentinel-2 Quality Engineer to join our team in Frascati, Italy. As a valued member of our diverse team, your primary responsibility will be to contribute your skills to our project ensuring its seamless operation.

Dedicated to the European Space Agency’s Earth-observing activities, ESA-ESRIN is the European centre of excellence for exploitation of Earth observation missions. The mission and payload operations of ESA's Earth observation satellites are managed here, and ESRIN is the primary source for the acquisition, distribution, and exploitation of data from these and other non-ESA satellites. 

Responsibilities: 

• Support the Sentinel-2 Data Quality Manager in the management of the Sentinel-2 Optical Mission Performance Cluster (OPT-MPC), including the review of deliverables/documentation.
• Support the quality assessment on the Sentinel-2 data products. 
• Participation in the quarterly OPT-MPC Regular Service Reviews (RSR), and reviews of the relevant documentation.
• Preparation of the documentation relative to the definition of the algorithm evolution of the Sentinel-2 Level-1 and Level -2 products, R&D and Cal/Val studies.
• Support to the management of the Cal/Val team.
• Co-chair the Sentinel-2 Quality Working Group. 
• Prepare and attend conferences related to Sentinel-2.
• Assess user requirements regarding ESA EO optical missions in term of data quality, calibration, and validation, exploring potential synergies with missions under EOP responsibility.
• Support to the Sentinel-2 Data Quality Manager for the communication activities, contributing to the preparation of presentations and reports. Publication of papers in peer-reviewed journals is highly encouraged.
• Support the Ground Segment (GS) Operations Coordination processes on all tasks related to GS products quality control and sensor calibration tasks in operation.
• Support to the management of the GS products processing baseline configuration for the real-time processing and reprocessing chains.
• Coordinating the execution of the forthcoming Sentinel-2C commissioning tasks.
• Follow-up of the relevant web portals (Sentinel Online in particular) concerning Sentinel-2 mission information and news, including technical information.

Profile:
The following skills and experience are mandatory:

• PhD or master’s degree in physics, engineering, or Remote Sensing with particular emphasis on Earth Observation (EO) satellite, data processing algorithms, calibration, and validation.
• At least 5 years proven experience in EO optical applications.
• Desire to work both autonomously and as part of a team, in an international multicultural environment.
• Solution oriented mindset, with a customer focused communication skill.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken. 
• Strong track record in operational high resolution optical products definition, calibration methods and mission performance analysis. 
• Good experience in high resolution optical data processing algorithms
• Knowledge of the Sentinel-2 mission products. 
• Experience in project management.
• A good communication and organisation skills 
• Experience in drafting and editing complex technical reports.

The following skills and experience would be highly desirable: 

• Knowledge of the Earth Science research community.
• Knowledge of Copernicus Programme context
• Knowledge of the Sentinel-2 operational Processor and relative docs (ATBD, DPM)
• Good knowledge of EO ground segment architecture.
• Experience in EO data analysis and relevant tools (e.g. Sentinels Toolbox, QGIS).

 DE&I:Within Serco we believe there is a place here for everyone. Diversity & Inclusion at Serco is based on a culture where every voice is heard, and every employee feels valued. Working together as one team, we can enhance the experience of our people and teams, improve the value of our solutions to better serve the missions of our customers, and make a difference in our world. We are enthusiastic and passionate about our work which is infectious. We allow our employees to take responsibility for their work and promote a positive working culture. What we offer:

• Competitive Salary.
• Corporate Benefits Package.
• Support provided on relocation – Information available upon request.
• Company Events.

About Serco:

Serco is a leading Space Services Provider with thousands of skilled resources that has supported over 50 space missions on behalf of more than 10 Space or Government agencies around the globe, including the likes of ESA, CNES, EUMETSAT, EUSPA, ASI and NASA. We offer space capabilities across the full space lifecycle from satellite testing to Launch services, LEOP to spacecraft operations, space surveillance to data management, and supporting downstream application development. With over 55 years history in the space sector Serco is well placed to contribute to National strategies across Europe and the globe We work within the heart of the space sector so understand the challenges our customers face. When it comes to recruitment we are experts in sourcing the very best talent within space engineering, earth observation, satellite communications and cyber security. We have placed hundreds of people from post graduates through to C-suite executives into space agencies, satellite operators, manufacturers, system integrators, consultancies, earth observation/remote sensing, launch providers and much more.

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