About this job

ESA is looking for a Ground and User Segment Engineer.

ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. For this purpose, we welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.

Description
Ground & User Segment 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. It provides support for the implementation and testing of satellite navigation, telecom and Earth observation systems coming under the Division’s terms of reference, and is responsible for the development of dedicated test facilities. The Section supports both institutional and commercial programmes and obtains ad hoc support from specialists from other parts of the Directorate.

Responsibilities

 
You will report to the Head of Section and your main tasks and responsibilities will include:

• providing expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects, programmes and general studies in the area of ground and user segments for satellite navigation, telecom and Earth observation systems throughout all project phases;
• participating in feasibility studies, project reviews and the evaluation of procurement proposals;
• identifying critical development problems and assisting in their resolution;
• 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, with the emphasis on innovative concepts, cutting-edge technologies and system architectures;
• laboratory activities as required;
• monitoring applicable scientific and technological trends and maintaining state-of-the-art expertise;
• contributing to dissemination of the results of the activities performed and the transfer of knowledge across the Agency.

Your duties may also include providing support for other activities in your area of competence.

Profile

 
Technical competencies
General background and specific experience in the technical domains covered by the position
Understanding of related technologies, R&D trends and the industrial landscape
Spacecraft systems knowledge
Experience in preparation of procurement activities for technology development and innovation (statements of work, proposal evaluation)
Experience in the management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in reviews
Experience in technology roadmap definition and harmonisation
Experience with Space Engineering Standards and their preparation and implementation

Education
A Master’s degree in telecommunications, navigation, computer science or aerospace for this specific post is required.

Additional requirements
With respect to the ground and user segments of satellite navigation, telecom and Earth observation systems, you need to demonstrate:

• Knowledge of the industrial landscape, value chains and markets
• Broad understanding of applied engineering and generic knowledge of technological equipment, methods and applicable processes
• Knowledge and direct experience of state-of–the-art technology for radio frequency space systems and understanding of the main technological issues.

Expertise and several years’ professional experience in one or more of the following will be considered an asset:

• Satellite radio navigation systems, in particular technologies in the ground and user segments, such as RF spatial and polarisation diversity, RF security and signal authentication, autonomous navigation, high-accuracy positioning and integration with inertial sensors
• Satellite telecommunications, in particular technologies related to Narrowband IoT and 5G
• Cloud-based systems, SW defined radio and artificial intelligence applied to Earth observation, navigation and telecommunications ground segments
• Projects in the frame of ESA co-funding programmes, such as GSTP, NAVISP and InCubed.

You must be eligible for security clearance by your national security administration.

For a complete job description and to apply, click on “apply”.

The closing date for applications is 22 April 2021.

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 contact.human.resources@esa.int.
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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 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. (https://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/careers/NationalityTargets.pdf)
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.
We offer
The European Space Agency (ESA) is an equal opportunities employer that offers competitive salaries exempt from national income tax and excellent employment conditions, such as allowances for expatriates and relocation support. For more information: http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA
About us
We are the European Space Agency. Our mission is the peaceful exploration and use of space for the benefit of everyone. We watch over the Earth, develop and launch inspiring and unique space projects, train astronauts and push the boundaries of science and technology, seeking answers to the big questions about the Universe. We are a family of scientists, engineers and business professionals from all over Europe working together in a diverse and multinational environment. We are dedicated to united space in Europe and united Europe in space. Learn more: http://www.esa.int/