Head of Process Improvement and Intelligent Manufacturing

Head of Process Improvement and Intelligent Manufacturing

**Job Requisition ID**:19668

**Date Posted**:13 June 2025

**Closing Date**:4 July 2025 23:59 CET/CEST

**Publication**:Internal & External

**Type of Contract**:Permanent

**Directorate**:Space Transportation

**Workplace**:Paris, FR
- Frascati, IT

**Grade Band**:A2 - A4

**Location**
ESA Headquarters, Paris, France

**Description**
Head of Process Improvement and Intelligent Manufacturing, Value Chain Assessment and Assets Management, Infrastructure and Value Chain, Directorate of Space Transportation (D/STS).You will report directly to the Head of Value Chain Assessment and Assets Management. Leading the Ariane 6 transition process improvement activities, you will be responsible for identifying and implementing improvement measures and state-of-the art technologies in the manufacturing, assembly, integration and logistics of European launchers.**Duties**
Reporting to the Head of Value Chain Assessment and Assets Management, you will be responsible for identifying and implementing improvement measures and state-of-the art technologies in the manufacturing, assembly, integration and logistics of European launchers. You will play a vital role in driving innovation, increasing the resilience of manufacturing, assembly, integration and test, increasing the competitiveness of European launchers and implementing artificial intelligence, advanced simulation, sustainability engineering and digital transformation.In particular, you will be responsible for the following:
- identifying cost drivers, critical processes and improvement measures in the manufacturing, assembly, integration and logistics of European launchers;
- challenging requirements, focusing on real needs only;
- reviewing current launcher manufacturing processes and identifying supply chain optimisations and further improvement potential to deploy intelligent automated manufacturing capabilities, including robot cutting and 3D printing, so as to reduce time to market and increase efficiency;
- identifying and cultivating potential synergies, for example the reuse of material, bolts and manufacturing techniques;
- collecting, assessing and summarising information on trends relating to state-of-the-art and sustainable infrastructure;
- driving innovation and enhancing production efficiency and resilience through artificial intelligence, for example for machine learning and predictive maintenance and on-board and on-ground flight data processing;
- developing an artificial intelligence strategy for European launcher manufacturing;
- coordinating with stakeholders to share best practices across ESA to maximise the adoption of intelligent automation, artificial intelligence and effective sustainable technologies;
- linked to the above, representing D/STS in the ESA task force on digitalisation and artificial intelligence;
- leading the Ariane 6 and P120C process improvement activities;
- taking responsibility for the energy and environmental footprint strategy for European launcher manufacturing, including a new hydrogen vessel for shipping launcher elements to the spaceport;
- providing strategic support to make launcher infrastructure and its logistics resilient against emerging issues;
- identifying sustainability trends and adapting them to market regulations;
- enhancing launcher environmental monitoring capabilities by implementing an advanced AI technology model that analyses integrated satellite and ground-based sensor data;
- estimating European launcher carbon footprint, energy security and energy cost savings;
- proposing meaningful carbon footprint reduction initiatives, such as a transition to low-carbon energy supply, decarbonisation and the effective use of sustainable products and methods that address social impacts and improve returns;
- proposing relevant measures, methods and practices necessary to achieve sustainability goals;
- modelling and simulation of production processes and launcher components, including real-time test bench technology, system verification software and ground support equipment;
.- implementing a scalable and modular digital twin from critical fixed assets to full production lines, as well as components critical to the overall launcher;
- liaising with relevant technology expert groups;
- establishing good working relationships and technical networks with industry and other organisations both within and external to the Agency;
- identifying relevant smart factory solutions to support maintenance at all levels, delivering continuous connectivity that enables self-optimisation and deploying predictive and prescriptive maintenance for critical assets and other state-of-the-art technologies;
- leading the set-up of a master schedule to follow the Ariane 6 MAIT up to H0, supported by the Operating Planning and BUC Office (STS-B);
- increasing the resilience of the end-to-end supply chain;
- collecting information on and assessing relevant risks relating to