Our team and mission

This position is based at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) – Noordwijk, Netherlands

Under the direct authority of Future Missions and Architecture Department, the System Architect Office is responsible for establishing and maintaining a reference Architecture for European Earth Observation systems, encompassing all ESA Earth Observation missions (Earth Explorers, Sentinels, Meteorological, Third Party, Scouts) and taking account of European, national, and commercial systems as well as of systems of international partner Agencies. To that end, in close dialogue with users and stakeholders it conducts system of systems engineering analyses, to assess the scientific, technological, industrial and operational synergies of different Earth Observation missions, as well as relevant non-space systems (e.g., HAPs and in-situ networks), with the goals of maximising the return of investments in future Earth Observation missions to increase their attractiveness and expanding the user base.

To achieve the latter it will explore ahead new domains of Earth Observation with an observatory function to permanently search for innovation with an active external network to gather information on technology evolution and including benchmarking versus other organisations. It will also conduct periodical observation gap analyses to be utilised in formulating EOP strategy. It maintains and updates the end-to-end system requirements of the Copernicus Space Component (CSC) based on EU and Member States’ user requirements. It defines the strategy for preparing the evolution of the CSC and its system architecture, including ‘make or buy’ trade- offs and establishing and maintaining the CSC Long Term Scenario accordingly. The Office promotes broadly based teamwork with staff from all EOP departments and other ESA Directorates to achieve these goals.

For further information visit our web site: http://www.esa.int

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic: ESA System of Systems Architecture Analysis

We are establishing a reference architecture for European Earth observation (EO) systems. This will encompass research missions, operational missions, multilateral national and commercial systems, non-orbiting platforms and in situ assets. This topic is dedicated to exploring different approached to conduct system-of-systems engineering analyses to assess the scientific, technological, industrial and operational synergies of all such EO assets, with the final goal of maximising the return on investment in future missions. In particular, it will focus on propose optimisation by combined application of existing and planned EO assets to establish the scientific, technological, industrial and operational synergy benefits.

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking

Education

You must have student status and be enrolled at university for the entire duration of the internship. You should preferably be in your final or second to last year of a university course at master’s level in a technical or scientific discipline

Additional requirements

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.

Additional Requirements:

• Knowledge of EO domain from remote sensing technologies to downstream science and applications
• Knowledge of relevant strategic and technological trends and developments inside/outside the space EO domain