CFI Project Manager (Customer Furnished Item - Dedicated Payload Equipment) IRIS2

The job responsibilities outlined in this document are not exhaustive and may evolve over time and be reviewed according to business needs. 

ROLE DESCRIPTION SUMMARY 

• The CFI Project Manager is responsible for the end‑to‑end planning, coordination, and delivery of Customer Furnished Items (CFI), specifically dedicated payload equipment procured from external suppliers.  

• The role ensures that all CFI equipment meets technical, schedule, cost, and quality requirements, from procurement through delivery to integration readiness within the satellite system. 

• Acting as the primary interface between custom engineering, system engineering, procurement, suppliers, and programme management, the CFI Project Manager ensures that externally developed equipment is delivered, compliant, and ready for integration and verification activities. 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES / KEY RESULT AREAS 

Project & Programme Management 

• Lead end‑to‑end execution of CFI procurement and delivery activities. 

• Develop and maintain: 

• Integrated schedules aligned with programme milestones 

• Cost tracking related to procurement 

• Risk and issue registers 

• Monitor supplier and project performance: 

• Delivery schedule 

• Cost evolution 

• Technical maturity 

• Provide structured reporting to: 

• Programme Management Operations 

• Integrator Project Managers 

• Governance bodies 

CFI Procurement & Supplier Management 

• Coordinate procurement activities in alignment with Procurement / Supply Chain 

• Define and manage: 

• Technical requirements flow‑down to suppliers 

• Statements of Work (SoW) and deliverables 

• Act as primary interface to suppliers, ensuring: 

• Contractual compliance 

• Performance monitoring 

• Timely delivery 

• Support: 

• Supplier selection and evaluation 

• Contract negotiations (with Procurement & Legal) 

• Supplier reviews, audits, and progress monitoring 

Technical Coordination & Interface Management 

• Coordinate with System Engineering, which retains technical authority, to ensure: 

• Alignment with system architecture 

• Definition and control of interfaces (mechanical, electrical, thermal, data) 

• Ensure consistency between: 

• CFI specifications 

• Platform and system constraints 

• Integration requirements 

• Support interface management across all segments (V/C, U/T, GK) 

Delivery & Integration Readiness 

• Ensure that CFI equipment is delivered in the required maturity and configuration for integration 

• Coordinate with:  

• Development teams 

• Manufacturing 

• IVV & AIT Project Manager 

• Ensure readiness in terms of: 

• Documentation 

• Configuration baseline 

• Verification evidence (at equipment level) 

Stakeholder & Interface Management 

• Act as key interface with: 

• Custom engineering (requirements definition) 

• System Engineering (technical alignment) 

• Procurement (contracting and supplier management) 

• Suppliers / industrial partners 

• IVV & AIT Project Manager (integration readiness) 

• Contribute to: 

• Programme reporting 

• Supplier and technical reviews 

• Governance preparation 

Risk, Change & Configuration Management 

• Identify and manage: 

• Supplier risks 

• Delivery risks 

• Technical maturity risks 

• Coordinate: 

• Change requests impacting CFI 

• Impact assessments (cost, schedule, integration) 

• Technical maturity risks 

• Ensure alignment with: 

• Configuration baselines 

• Approved changes 

Quality & Compliance 

• Ensure suppliers comply with: 

• Applicable standards (ECSS, ESA, etc.) 

• Programme requirements and specifications 

• Support: 

• Quality assurance activities 

• Non‑conformance and deviation management 

• Root cause analyses and corrective actions 

COMPETENCIES 

• Strong understanding of:  

• Satellite payload equipment 

• Supplier-driven development and procurement. 

• Knowledge of: 

• Interface management 

• Integration constraints 

• Verification expectations (equipment level) 

• Strong: 

• Supplier coordination 

• Negotiation skills 

• Stakeholder management 

• Ability to operate in: 

• Matrix organisations 

• Multi-partner environments 

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE 

• Master's degree in aerospace engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent. 

• 5-10+ years of experience in in space or complex high technology programmes. 

• Fluency in English, both written and spoken 

• Any other European Language is considered an asset 

• Proven experience in at least one of the following:  

• Payload equipment or subsystem development 

• Supplier management / procurement-driven projects 

• Integration environments 

• Demonstrated project management experience in multidisciplinary technical environments. 

• Experience with ESA or institutional programmes. 

• Familiarity with ECSS standards and configuration & change control. 

• Experience with procurement processes and contract management. 

• Project management certification (PMP®, PRINCE2, IPMA). (nonessential) 

OTHER KEY REQUIREMENTS / COMMENTS 

• Eligibility for ESA/EU SECRET personal security clearances is essential. Candidates must be prepared to undergo a security clearance procedure, as this position may require holding such a clearance 

• Willing to work 60% onsite from office 

• Travel as required for project realization purposes