(Senior) Project Manager Change & Configuration Management, IRIS2 Programme Office

ProgramME Description

IRIS2 is the new European Union secure satellite constellation. This project is the European Union's answer to the pressing challenges of tomorrow to provide secure connectivity services and enhanced communication capacities to the EU and its Member States as well as to governmental users, private companies and European citizens while ensuring high-speed internet broadband to cope with connectivity dead zones.

SES – together with other consortium partners and core members - was selected by European Commission to build and to operate the IRIS2 multi-orbit satellite constellation.

The IRIS2 team enters next project phases and there is a strong need of support for all the activities around service provisioning and products that the system can offer in the future.

Role Description

The Senior Configuration Manager will establish and lead the Configuration and Information Management (CIM) function for the IRIS² Satellite Programme, a major European space infrastructure initiative executed under a multi-partner consortium and governed by ESA/EC standards.

The successful candidate will define, implement, and oversee configuration management processes and tools across all programme domains — space segment, ground segment, and system level — ensuring full compliance with MS-ESA-RQ-100, MS-ESA-RQ-108, and ECSS-M-ST-40C standards.

This is a senior role requiring proven experience in complex Defence or Governmental programmes, excellent coordination within consortium environments, and a deep understanding of ESA’s configuration management governance.

As a member of an agile project organization, you will be expected to bring a flexible way of working and an adaptive mindset to a dynamic development environment.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES / KEY RESULT AREAS

• Configuration Management Framework
  • Define and implement the Configuration Management Plan (CMP) in accordance with MS-ESA-RQ-108 and ECSS-M-ST-40C.
  • Establish configuration management policies, procedures, and tools across all consortium partners.
  • Ensure alignment with the overarching Product Assurance framework defined in MS-ESA-RQ-100.
  • Develop and maintain configuration identification, item structures, and baseline management processes (functional, allocated, and product baselines).

•  Configuration Control and Change Management

• Chair the Configuration Control Board (CCB) and manage the full lifecycle of configuration changes, including evaluation, approval, implementation, and verification.
• Ensure configuration integrity and traceability of all design, test, and operational data.
• Control evolution of baselines and maintain coherence between engineering, manufacturing, and verification documentation.
• Support engineering teams in assessing configuration impacts and defining implementation plans for approved changes.

• Configuration Status Accounting and Documentation

• Establish and maintain the Configuration Status Accounting (CSA) system, ensuring accurate, real-time visibility of the configuration status.
• Maintain configuration records, change logs, and baselines in compliance with ESA/EC requirements and programme DRDs.
• Manage and monitor the use of PLM/CM tools (e.g., Windchill, Teamcenter, DOORS, or equivalent) across consortium entities.
• Produce configuration status and audit reports for submission to ESA, EC, and consortium leadership.

• Consortium Coordination and Governance

• Coordinate CM activities across consortium members, subcontractors, and EC/ESA stakeholders to ensure consistent application of configuration control processes.
• Ensure harmonisation of CM practices between system, space, and ground segments.
• Provide CM guidance, coaching, and process oversight to consortium partners and suppliers.
• Support major reviews (PDR, CDR, QR) and ensure all baseline and change control documentation is accurate and up to date.

• Deliverables

• Configuration Management Plan (CMP)
• Configuration Item List (CIL)
• Baseline Registers (Functional, Allocated, Product)
• Configuration Control Board (CCB) Records
• Configuration Status Accounting Reports
• CM Audit and Compliance Reports
• CM Inputs to Design and Milestone Reviews

COMPETENCIES

• Strong and proven leadership and team management skills
• Excellent analytical skills, solid knowledge and sound judgement to advise on complex decisions with significant contribution to business success
• Problem-identifying and problem-solving skills, practical thinker and solution oriented
• Ability to translate customer / business requirements into technical design specifications by using a customer service-centric approach
• Excellence in cooperation across multiple functions of the organisation and across organisations
• Mastering negotiation skills, declined in a long-term programme and partnership
• Dependable and autonomous, able to work with reduced supervision as well as in a collaborative environment
• Can do attitude, confidence to work outside own comfort zone, able to balance risks and opportunities and ability to adapt to change
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proactive and assertive worker

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in Configuration Management within aerospace, defence, or governmental programmes.
• Proven experience working in multi-partner consortium environments governed by ESA, EC, or national space agencies.
• Strong expertise in ESA configuration management standards, specifically:
• MS-ESA-RQ-100 – General Product Assurance Requirements
• MS-ESA-RQ-108 – Configuration and Information Management Requirements
• ECSS-M-ST-40C – Configuration and Information Management
• Demonstrated ability to establish and lead configuration management processes in large, distributed engineering programmes.
• Proficiency with PLM/CM tools (e.g., Windchill, Teamcenter, DOORS, etc.).
• Experience supporting ESA-style reviews and reporting structures

OTHER KEY REQUIREMENTS / COMMENTS

• The candidate must have a valid “SECRET” security clearance, in accordance with the “loi modifiée du 15 juin 2004 relative à la classification des pièces et aux habilitations de sécurité”, as well as EU equivalents
• Willing to work at least 60% onsite from office
• Travel as required for project realization purposes 
• Understanding of space-based security architectures
• Experience on NGSOs