Project Controller - European Space Agency

Programme / Project Controller – European Space Agency - ESTEC, Noordwijk

Overview:

Octagon Professionals is looking for a Programme / Project Controller to join our team supporting the European Space Agency (ESA) at ESTEC in Noordwijk, The Netherlands.

If you are passionate about the space industry and enjoy working in an international, high-tech environment, we would love to hear from you.

Role Responsibilities:

Programme & Project Control

• Support the planning, execution, monitoring, and reporting of ESA programmes and projects.
• Develop and maintain programme schedules, work plans, procurement plans, and resource forecasts.
• Monitor project performance, identify deviations, and support corrective actions.
• Prepare management reports, KPIs, and programme performance overviews.
• Contribute to programme risk management activities.

Resource & Financial Management

• Support the preparation of long-, medium-, and short-term resource plans.
• Monitor budgets, manpower allocation, forecasts, and Cost-at-Completion (CaC).
• Review expenditures, commitments, and resource consumption for compliance with budgets and ESA procedures.
• Produce financial and resource-related reports and analyses.

Procurement & Contract Administration

• Support procurement activities, including tender preparation, evaluations, and contract follow-up.
• Assist with financial commitments, milestone payment plans, invoicing, and payment verification.
• Maintain procurement, contract, and financial data within ESA systems and local tools.
• Monitor procurement schedules, contract implementation, and financial performance.
• Support inventory management and export control activities.

Industrial Return Management

• Maintain and update Industrial Return data and related reporting.
• Ensure consistency with ESA corporate policies and databases.
• Support the implementation and monitoring of industrial return objectives and compensation measures.
• Verify procurement activities align with programme industrial return targets.

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Master's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, MBA, or a related field.
• Experience in project control, programme management, resource planning, or financial control within the aerospace or engineering sector.
• Strong understanding of project control methodologies, procurement processes, and budget management.
• Advanced Excel skills and proficiency with MS Office applications.
• Experience with SAP (ECC/SRM) and ESA corporate applications (e.g. ESA-p) is considered an asset.
• Knowledge of milestone payment plans, contract management, and resource forecasting.
• Experience with Power BI reporting is advantageous.
• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken; knowledge of another ESA language is a plus.
• Ability to quickly adapt to ESA processes, tools, and working environments.

Package:

• Competitive remuneration package.
• Up to 30 vacation days plus 12 ESA public holidays (based on a 40-hour work week).
• Dedicated learning and development support, including training recommendations.
• Professional development budget and up to 5 additional development days annually.
• Tailor-made pension scheme with employer contribution.
• Annual membership to ESTEC gym and swimming facilities.
• Relocation support for candidates moving to the Netherlands.

Ready for this new challenge? Apply now and let’s get in touch!

Octagon Professionals International is a full-service recruitment and HR services firm with 30 years of experience in the European and international market. Our large network of professionals across multiple functional areas, and multi-national team provide flexible solutions customised to individual client needs.

Privacy Notice: In order to apply for this vacancy you must submit your personal information to Octagon Professionals. Octagon Professionals will collect, use and process your personal information as mentioned in our Privacy Policy. Our policy and processing of your personal information is compliant with the GDPR.