End-to-end System Engineer
JOB DETAIL
Vacancy in the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.
This is a non-renewable post for a limited duration of four years and is classified A2-A4 on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale.
Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands with resident assignment at ESRIN, Frascati, Italy
Description
End-to-end System Engineer in the Commercial User Segment and Navigation System Validation Section, Radio Frequency Systems Division, Electrical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.
The Commercial User Segment and Navigation System Validation Section provides functional support to ESA projects. The Section covers the design, development and testing of pre-commercial and commercial ground (user/infrastructure) equipment and with this post also supports EO commercial activities.
Reporting to both the Commercial User Segment and Navigation System Validation Section and to the Head of the Invest Office of the ɸ-lab Division, within the technical fields described above, your main tasks and responsibilities will be as follows.
The initial main task is to support and report functionally to the Invest Office of the ɸ-lab Division, Science, Applications & Climate Department, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes (EOP). You will be responsible for providing technical, commercial, and programmatic support in assessing and managing co-funded activities for commercial Earth Observation (EO), in particular within the InCubed (Investing in Industrial Innovation) Earth Watch programme element.
Duties
You will be responsible for providing technical, commercial, and programmatic functional support in assessing and managing co-funded activities for commercial Earth Observation (EO), in particular within the InCubed (Investing in Industrial Innovation) Earth Watch programme element; being collocated and reporting functionally to the Invest Office of the ɸ-lab Division, Science, Applications & Climate Department, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes (EOP).
Your main tasks and responsibilities will include:
- facilitating high-risk/high-potential developments based on co-funding and other financial risk mitigation arrangements;
- critically reviewing the activities from system engineering and commercial point of view and proactively promoting successful achievements;
- identifying and reporting to EOP functional management in a timely manner any risks and opportunities in the assigned activities;
- preparing, evaluating and overseeing innovative and commercially-oriented development activities, executed by industry and research organisations of ESA Member States for the InCubed programme in all elements of the EO value chain;
- ensuring that activities meet the InCubed technical and commercial criteria and that development priorities are set accordingly;
- stimulating and supporting the development of ‘NewSpace’ solutions for EO;
- prospecting for and evaluating emerging technologies, methodologies and techniques relevant for space/ground/user segments of “NewSpace” EO systems in cooperation with other EOP units ensuring coordination of EO technology developments;
- liaising with other ESA commercial programmes to maximise the overall coherence of ESA activities.
Your secondary duties, limited in time, may also include supporting other activities referenced in the description of the Commercial User Segment and Navigation System Validation Section, including:
- contributing to the definition of technology development requirements and work plans for the Agency’s technology programmes;
- defining, initiating and managing R&D activities covering both long- and short-term needs;
- fostering new application areas for multidisciplinary activities, placing emphasis on innovative concepts, cutting-edge technologies and system architectures;
- monitoring applicable scientific and technological trends and maintaining state-of-the-art expertise;
- contributing to the dissemination of the results of the activities performed and the transfer of knowledge across the Agency.
Technical competencies
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
Education
A Master’s degree in engineering, physics or data science is required for this post.
Additional requirements
- You should have a strong background in Earth Observation with direct experience in the space industry of at least five years.
- It is considered also an asset if you have experience in the management of projects in the framework of ESA co-funding programmes such as GSTP, NAVISP and Incubed as well as some additional knowledge or previous experience also in satellite-based positioning technology and/or satellite telecommunication systems.
- A further education in business development/management would be an asset.
Other information
For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the ESA Competency Framework.
For further information please visit: Professionals, What we offer and FAQ
The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.
The Agency may require applicants to undergo selection tests.
At the Agency we value diversity and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further please contact us at [email protected].
Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia.
According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States*. When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates and secondly to external candidates from under-represented Member States*.
In accordance with the European Space Agency’s security procedures and as part of the selection process, successful candidates will be required to undergo basic screening before appointment conducted by an external background screening service.
In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level.
*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.
