I’m a Space Debris Test and Validation Engineer for Starion, based at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre (ESOC), where I am part of the Space Debris Office. I love the work environment here!
What’s your role?
I’m a Space Debris Test and Validation Engineer, based in Darmstadt, Germany. More precisely, I work within the European Space Agency’s European Space Operations Centre (ESA ESOC), where I am part of OPS-SD / Space Debris Office. I joined the company in September 2020, so I’ve been here nearly 5 years.
What’s a typical day in your working life like?
I work on specific projects under what are referred to as COSMIC/Space Debris Core and COSMIC/CREAM, which are part of ESA’s Space Safety Programme. As a technical expert, I mainly monitor the software development activities and procurements, review the expected deliverables and perform verification and acceptance testing of these deliverables. With the support of other departments, we also ensure the installation and deployment of the products and services, with the respective documentation, at ESA’s infrastructure.
We have weekly and monthly meetings with the development industries to discuss the progress of activities, including any blocking issues with respect to the implementation and schedule, and the mitigation measures to be taken. For a specific space surveillance and tracking (SST) project, I also organise regular teleconferences and meetings throughout the year to meet the project stakeholders and discuss related activities and their needs.
Sometimes our work includes travelling to an industrial partner’s site to perform activities related to specific major milestones in person, or they may travel to ESOC. Also, when the opportunity arises, I participate in conferences to present the work involved in these activities on behalf of ESA.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I really appreciate the work environment thanks to my colleagues from the Space Debris Office and other departments: I believe this is a must for anyone to be able to enjoy their own job.
Then I like being able to support all the different aspects of each activity, from the documentation and the theories to the software testing; that gives me an awareness and a certain control over the overall activity. I also enjoy the direct interaction with industries and stakeholders.
What has been your most memorable career highlight?
One I can share is when I joined the Space Debris Office in March 2020. The Covid-19 pandemic restrictions started just 2 weeks after I started working on site. I was afraid of not being capable of fulfilling the expectations for my position without any proper preparation and interaction with the team and with colleagues from other departments. But with constant hard work and resilience, I can say now that I am proud of reaching their expectations.
Do you have any tips for people trying to get jobs in your area of expertise?
It is clear that you need to have some knowledge and even experience on the relevant area of expertise: in my case that would be space debris challenges, space systems engineering, etc. But wherever there is a gap, it is important to have common sense. Hence, I highly encourage people to continue learning and be proactive and search for knowledge. Also, don’t be afraid of speaking/asking and receiving different points of view, and work with a team mindset, not as an individual.
How do you wind down?
It is currently challenging with kids! But spending time with my family and friends helps a lot. And whenever there is an opportunity, I try to look after myself with body care or with specific workouts.