Space Solution Architect

Job Introduction

Serco is a leading Space Services Provider with thousands of skilled resources that has supported over 50 space missions on behalf of more than 10 Space or Government agencies around the globe, including the ESA and NASA. Serco offers space capability across the full space lifecycle from satellite testing to Launch services, LEOP to spacecraft operations, space surveillance to data management, and supporting downstream application development.

The Europe Space bid pipeline requires Solution & Enterprise Architecture experts who understand the market and customer requirements to develop solutions for Serco bids and new propositions and, in particular, the architecture for Earth Observation related services.

With this in mind we are looking to recruit a European based Space Solution Architect who will be responsible for developing elements of bid-winning solutions for the European division and for contributing to the development of value propositions that meet customers’ requirements, leading to successful outcomes.

The role will require the individual to work on large and medium sized bids in the Space pipeline and work with teams of Operational Leads, Subject Matter Experts, Bid Directors, Bid Managers, other “horizontal” resources and third-party organisations, such as supply chain partners or specialist suppliers.

Key Accountabilities

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Support work in the area of modelling of system or sub-system aspects for end-to-end services and operations.

Customer

• Effective capture of customer requirements and turning these requirements into compelling value propositions, forming the basis for proposals and bid solutions
• Contribute to the delivery of elements of solutions for key bids, projects and programmes
• Work as part of a team designing solutions that lead to winning business.

Operational Excellence

• Systems Engineering & Enterprise Architecture
  • Support elaboration of value chains and system architecture for Earth Observation related services (focus on Ground Segments services and architectures);
  • Contribute to designing solutions for major bids using Systems Engineering & Solution/ Enterprise Architecture approaches
  • Use systems engineering approaches; for example, COAD, TOGAF, MODAF, Soft Systems etc to develop or Enterprise Architectures
  • Requirements Capture including assisting the running of interactive customer workshops
  • Conduct, as needed:
    • Functional analysis and design
    • Design of the overall system concept
    • System level budgets
    • System performance analyses
    • Definition of spacecraft and/or payload subsystems and related data processing, and interfaces between payload/platform and launcher and ground segment;
  • Assist the development of the overall vision, high level architectural design and Target Operating Model (TOM) for the bid, project or programme
  • Contribute to the analysis of As-Is solutions, design of To-Be solutions and design of the transition between the two states, so that the To-Be solution can be effectively delivered
  • Assist the development of manpower / workforce solutions, incorporating elements such as TUPE transfer and asset management solutions
  • Assist the integration of IT and IT transformation.

Key Accountabilities Extension

• Process and Data Analytics
  • Use all aspects Business Process Re-engineering
  • Coordinate aspects of data analytics & benchmarking including data acquisition (i.e. from historical records, collating market data, GIS etc.) data analytics (including regression analysis, statistics etc) and development of benchmarks and benchmarking regimes to develop effective solutions
  • Assist with the management of specialist analytics contractors/suppliers
  • Contribute to the development of solutions that are compliant with Serco’s Target Operating Model (TOM) and the Serco Management System (SMS) requirements.

• Knowledge Transfer
  • Help develop the knowledgebase to support bids in other Serco markets

• Proposition Development and Bidding
  • Work in multi-disciplinary bid & other teams
  • Assist with running pilots and innovation demonstrators
  • Contribute to the development of safe, regulatory compliant solutions, taking into account developing legislation and increasing regulatory compliance requirements
  • Introduce innovation that will differentiate Serco’s propositions in a crowded market place (e.g., artificial intelligence-based solutions)
  • Assist with the development of solutions and value propositions in current, new & emerging areas; for example, Engineering, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and live/synthetic training, etc
  • Help to ensure compliance to the Serco Business Lifecycle governance processes and that the ‘best brains’ critically review the solution (technical, commercial, financial and written) and benchmark where appropriate
  • Work in a matrix structure
  • Assist in embedding continuous improvement into solutions & adopting best practice methods from across Serco’s contracts and industry.

Key Accountabilities Extension (Continued)

People & Culture

• Work effectively with internal and external stakeholders, including senior internal stakeholders through governance review processes to manage expectations and gain support for proposals/solutions
• Work closely with other indirect/horizontal resources, providing solution leadership and clear direction to the bid team
• Work effectively with partners and subcontractors to contribute to a coherent solution, ensuring commercial sensitivities are considered appropriately.

Financial

• Assist the management of the solution budget for major opportunities, ensuring compliance and effective optimum utilisation of resources
• Apply relevant financial and commercial models to achieve effective technical solutions, working closely with the commercial & financial teams
• Help to ensure that the operational and technical solution are fully reflected in the commercial proposal and costing model and that the solution is deliverable
• Use financial data to review and assess opportunities and aid decision-making
• Participate in competitor analysis to assess strength of Serco solution and allocate Pwin.

Essential Qualifications

• MSc, or equivalent qualification, in a relevant technical or scientific discipline

Systems Engineering/Solution or Enterprise Architecture experience desirable

• Domain
  • Good general knowledge of ESA Earth Observation and CNES missions
  • Strong and demonstrated background in space system engineering, mission analysis and Ground Segment architecture design, and for Earth Observation missions
  • At least 5 years of relevant work experience in the Earth Observation domain, including Earth Observation remote sensing techniques
  • Knowledge of the application of emerging technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence) in the space domain will be considered an asset.
  • Experience in supporting business development for public or private sector service providers with demonstrated growth success will be considered an asset.

• Technical
  • Good understanding of Systems Engineering approaches, including Solution and Enterprise Architecture; ability to maintain a system overview and develop Target Operating Models (TOMs).
  • Understanding of ICT technologies and solutions
  • Good analytical skills with ability to assimilate information quickly, and communicate key messages simply and effectively to the business to aid decision making
  • Experience with relevant standards and management processes in particular with respect to Service management, project management, risk management and configuration management including processes for handling of requirements, changes, problems and incidents i.e. ITIL, ECSS, PRINCE2
  • Experience on Business Process Re-engineering

• Communication
  • Proficiency in written and spoken English: able to explain complex technical constructs with ease. Ability to write compelling prose is essential. French would be advantageous. 
  • Good negotiation and presentation skills. Maybe demonstrated through participation in Competitive Dialogue or other OJEU processes
  • Demonstrates exceptional communication skills to include interpersonal, written, staff level and executive level business briefings

Essential Qualifications Extension

• Stakeholders
  • Able to demonstrate an understanding of stakeholder management and the ability to develop effective relationships at all levels
  • Ability to work collaboratively and influence effective outcomes
  • Experience of working in diverse teams and managing/influencing indirect resources

• Management
  • Effective management of self with track record of involvement in change in complex and demanding environments, interacting with individuals at all levels of the organisation
  • Methodical and proactive, with initiative and capability to work autonomously
  • Problem-solving and creativity-oriented attitude
  • Experience of applying Lean or Continuous Improvement at organisational level.
  • Good commercial judgment and financial literacy.
  • Good understanding of contract management and service delivery

On Offer

• Full-time permanent employment
• A vacation bonus paid in June
• Travel allowance 50% public transport upon proof of receipt
• French public holidays
• Annual leave of 25 days + seniority days
• Health insurance, pension and mandatory insurance