Payload 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
Description
Payload Engineer, RF Payload Engineering and Digital Equipment Section, RF Payloads &Technology Division, Electrical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.
The RF Payload Engineering and Digital Equipment Section provides functional support to ESA projects and carries out technological research (R&D) in the field(s) of telecommunication payloads and subsystems, microwave and millimetre wave remote sensing instruments and navigation payloads exploiting analog, digital and optical on-board technologies. Additionally, the Section covers the research, design, development and testing of radio frequency digital equipment as well as payload signal and data processing techniques for RF payloads and microwave remote sensing instruments.
This post will be primarily assigned to provide support to the ESA Programme related to EU Secure Connectivity as a Payload Engineer.
The aim of the European Union Secure Connectivity Programme is to deploy an EU satellite constellation also referred to as IRIS² (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite). With IRIS², the European Union will provide for a Union satellite-based, multi-orbital communication infrastructure for governmental use, while integrating and complementing existing and future national and European capacities.
Duties
Reporting to both the Head of the RF Payload Engineering and Digital Equipment Section and to the person with managerial responsibility for Secure Connectivity Space Segment, within the technical fields described above, your main tasks and responsibilities will include:
- providing support as Payload Engineer for the Secure Connectivity Space Segment, including, in particular:
- supporting the procurement of the communication payload elements, with particular emphasis on the on-board digital processor of the communication payload:
- Managing and controlling payload requirements, in particular for the on-board digital processor;
- Monitoring and controlling payload performance allocation and budgeting;
- Participating in the payload procurement process;
- Monitoring payload development (design, implementation and verification/testing);
- Following-up the qualification and acceptance verification activities, as well as identifying the necessary breadboarding and model-philosophy approach;
- Assessing payload performance during all project phases;
- Interacting with ESA specialists, as necessary for the complete payload development.
- supporting associated project management, risk, quality and reporting tasks:
- Participating in project reviews;
- Participating in proposals and change request evaluations, negotiations;
- Technical and programmatic risks identification and assessments;
- Requirements deviations and non-conformance assessment and follow-up;
- Development schedule assessment;
- Reporting input provision.
- supporting the procurement of the communication payload elements, with particular emphasis on the on-board digital processor of the communication payload:
- supporting the general activities of the Section:
- Supporting the overall architectural definition, specification, development and verification of the future communication payloads, with particular emphasis on on-board digital processors, as well as contributing to the associated system trade-offs;
- Supporting the definition of technological requirements for future communication payloads, including digital on-board processing payload equipment, in co-operation with ESA’s specialists in the different domains;
- Supporting the definition and management of R&D activities covering both long- and short-term needs related to communication payloads, in particular for on-board digital processors;
- Contributing to the definition of technology development requirements and work plans for the Agency’s technology programmes;
- Monitoring 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.
Your duties may also include partially supporting other activities within your field of competence.
Technical competencies
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
Education
A master’s degree in telecommunications, electronics or RF/microwave engineering is required for this post.
Additional requirements
Very good understanding of communication payloads, including the functionality, architectures and key performance parameter specification and evaluation is required.
Solid, hands-on experience in RF communication payloads and/or digital on-board telecom processors, integrated into a project/procurement environment is required.
A very good knowledge of on-board digital signal processing techniques and technologies for RF payloads will be considered 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.
