Industrial Return Coordination Lead

Job Requisition ID: 20682

Date Posted: 18 June 2026

Application Deadline: 9 July 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication: Internal & External

Type of Appointment : 4 years, extendable to indefinite

Directorate: Commercialisation, Industry and Competitiveness

Workplace: Noordwijk, NL Paris, FR

Grade Band : A2 - A4

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands or ESA Headquarters, Paris, France

Description
Industrial Return and Analytics Coordinator in the Industrial Return and Analytics Office, Industrial Policy and Auditing Department, Directorate of Commercialisation, Industry and Competitiveness.

The Office plays a strategic role in shaping ESA’s industrial policy through data-driven insights and engagement, ensuring a fair and balanced geo-return by analysing and monitoring the distribution of contracts across Member States in line with programme goals and industrial development priorities. It also develops advanced analytics tools and dashboards to support decision-making across the Agency, and manages the registration and profiling of ESA suppliers. By connecting industrial intelligence, data and processes, the Office helps drive transparency, efficiency and informed policy-making across ESA.

Duties
Reporting to the Head of the Industrial Return and Analytics Office, you will be responsible for supporting the monitoring, analysis, reporting and coordination of ESA’s geographical return across Agency programmes. Your main duties will include the following:

• Geographical return monitoring, reporting and stakeholder coordination:

• • Supporting the consistent implementation, monitoring, analysis and reporting of geographical return across all ESA programmes;
  • Supporting exchanges with ESA programmes and relevant stakeholders to ensure availability, quality and transparency of industrial return data;
  • Ensuring data quality and transparency through ongoing monitoring, validation and analysis of geo-return figures at programme, domain and Agency level;
  • Supporting the planning, collection and continuous monitoring of forecast geo-return data and reporting on evolving geographical implementation;
  • Preparing documentation, analysis, simulations and presentations on geo-return topics for internal use, delegations, IPC meetings and external events;
  • Managing large datasets from multiple sources, including data consolidation and integration for analysis and preparation of inputs that support decision-making;
  • Contributing to the identification of risks and mitigation strategies and supporting interim and formal reviews of ESA geo-return statistics;
  • Assisting in the preparation of periodic IPC reporting on both the current and forecast geographical distribution of contracts;
  • Contributing to the development of analytical methodologies, reporting tools, simulations and performance indicators to support the monitoring of industrial return and management decision-making.

• Tools, systems, and process evolution:

• • Supporting the governance, effective use, and continuous improvement of corporate tools and systems relating to industrial return (such as EROS or AETHER);
  • Monitoring system usage, analysing trends and proposing improvements to meet evolving requirements and needs;
  • Contributing to the maintenance and evolution of the regulatory framework and certified processes supporting geo-return.

• Other collaborative activities:

• • Promoting knowledge-sharing and best practices in the use of corporate systems, including preparing training materials and delivering training sessions;
  • Collaborating with other Services within the Department, across the Directorate, and with key functions such as legal and programmatic areas to ensure effective coordination and information exchange.

Technical competencies
Knowledge of ESA’s geographical return process and their implementation within ESA programmes

Knowledge of the ESA institutional framework and policies, as well as operational/business processes related to ESA programmes

Experience in data analysis, including the consolidation, validation and interpretation of large and complex datasets that support decision-making

Experience in corporate/legacy management tools and working methods

Experience in the development and evolution of information systems

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

For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

Education and professional experience
A master’s degree in engineering, business administration or a related discipline is required for this post, with a minimum of six years of professional experience.

Additional requirements

• Strong analytical, problem-solving and reporting capabilities
• Effective planning and self-organisation skills, with the ability to coordinate team activities where required
• A proven sense of ownership and accountability for tasks and issues, ensuring they are managed through to resolution
• The ability to communicate tasks, challenges and solutions clearly and concisely
• Capacity to work independently with sustained focus and reliability
• A customer-oriented approach, with a commitment to delivering high-quality service and ensuring client satisfaction
• Strong interpersonal skills to enable seamless collaboration within diverse teams
• A commitment to continuous professional development, with a genuine interest in developments within the space sector, particularly industrial return, programme implementation, data analysis and reporting

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.

At the Agency we value diversity, and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email at Se e-mailadresse på jobbank.dk .

Important Information and Disclaimer
In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level.

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.

Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.

Nationality and Languages
Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.

According to the ESA Convention, staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the Member States.

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.