Copernicus S1 NG and ROSE-L Lead SAR Back-end Payload Engineer

Job Requisition ID:  20440
Date Posted:  25 March 2026
Closing Date:  15 April 2026 23:59 CET/CEST
Publication:  Internal & External
Type of Appointment:  4 years, extendable to indefinite
Directorate:  Earth Observation Programmes
Workplace: 

Noordwijk, NL

Grade Band:  A2 - A4

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands  

Description

Lead SAR Backend Payload Engineer for the Copernicus Sentinel-1 Next Generation (S1 NG) and ROSE-L missions.


The Sentinel-1 Next Generation mission will ensure the enhanced continuity in the 2030s of the Copernicus Sentinel measurements. The project has completed Phase A/B1 and is entering into Phase B2/C/D (implementation).


The Radar Observing System for Europe in L-band (ROSE-L) mission is part of the Copernicus Sentinel Expansion Missions. The project has completed Phase B2/C and has entered into Phase D (implementation).

You will report to the S1 NG and ROSE-L Payload Managers for all technical and programmatic matters and will work within the relevant project teams.


For both projects, you will be responsible for the procurement and timely delivery of the backend  payload elements of the synthetic aperture radar during Phase B2/C/D/E1.


You will work in close cooperation with other engineers, and will coordinate specialised technical support from the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality (D/TEC).

Duties

Under the supervision of the Payload Managers, you will be technically responsible for the delivery of backend payload elements of the overall instrument. 

Your responsibilities will include the supervision of the design, development, manufacturing, testing and characterisation of the backend payload subsystem within the Sentinel-1 NG and ROSE-L projects. 


As part of the project teams, you will also cooperate on the other elements of the system, supported as required by experts from the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality in the relevant engineering domains.


Your main tasks and responsibilities will include:

  • leading the backend payload requirements and specifications, technical budgets, design drivers, internal and external payload interfaces, spacecraft-level payload performance and operational concepts, including their consistency with the mission requirements, specifications and technical budgets;
  • contributing to the management of the industrial activities by leading the specification, design, procurement, development and verification/acceptance of backend payload hardware and software, including coordination across functional teams, end-user organisations and operators throughout the project lifetime, from ITT to flight commissioning;
  • delegated responsibility from project or payload management for programmatic aspects, including acting as Deputy to the Payload Manager as necessary;
  • monitoring the industrial progress and design evolution at payload and equipment levels, ensuring it remains consistent with the technical and programmatic requirements;
  • monitoring payload competitiveness/roadmaps as necessary;
  • monitoring industrial verification activities to ensure proper verification, including resolving non-conformances, and supporting the assessment of deviations and waivers;
  • providing regular reporting to project management and identifying technical risk areas, proposing and monitoring mitigation measures;
  • contributing to the management of the schedule and proposing schedule risk mitigation actions;
  • coordinating the payload AIV activities and supporting the spacecraft AIV activities, the preparation of the launch campaign and the in-orbit commissioning of the instrument;
  • potentially supporting interactions with delegations and partners as required;
  • leading a team of engineers and specialised engineering support from the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality and the Directorate of Operations.

Technical competencies

Multidisciplinary technical knowledge of and experience in your area of responsibility, particularly in relation to backend electronic subsystems
Knowledge and experience of the design, development, integration, verification, characterisation and testing of synthetic aperture radar space-borne instruments
Experience of managing technical interfaces between subsystems in an ESA project team environment and/or within the industrial consortium
Knowledge and experience of project risk management processes
Knowledge and experience of space system development and product assurance (PA) standards
Knowledge of industrial costs and schedule aspects

Behavioural competencies

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


For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

Education and professional experience

A master’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline is required for this post, together with four years of relevant professional experience. Alternatively, candidates with a bachelor’s degree, complemented by an additional four (4) years of relevant professional experience, can be considered.

Additional requirements

Extensive knowledge of electronic system architectures and their breakdown into hardware, firmware and software items, and of the interactions among them, is considered an asset.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness 
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, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. 

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 via email at contact.human.resources@esa.int.
 
Important Information and Disclaimer
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.

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.

Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have. 

Nationality and Languages 
Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia. 

According to the ESA Convention, staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the Member States.

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.  
At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.