Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) Systems Engineer
Noordwijk, NL
Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Description
Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) Systems Engineer in the GNC Systems Architecture Section, GNC, AOCS and Pointing Division, Electrical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.
The GNC Systems Architecture Section provides functional support to ESA projects in the technical field of GNC systems for planetary and small solar system object exploration orbiters and landers, launch and transportation systems, re-entry vehicles, new-generation space vehicles for in-orbit robotic operations, including in-orbit servicing, assembly and manufacturing and debris removal, and specialised applications such as rendezvous and formation flying.
The GNC Systems Architecture Section carries out technology research in the field of GNC systems for space vehicles, including interplanetary cruise, aero-assistance, precision landing, ascent, rendezvous and docking, re-entry, formation flying and drag-free systems. This covers in particular autonomous and fault-tolerant systems, including health monitoring systems, and advanced guidance, control, estimation and optimisation techniques and tools, as well as the technology development of GNC sensors with a focus on vision-based navigation and hybrid navigation concepts.
Duties
Your tasks and responsibilities will include:
- providing expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects, programmes and general studies in the area of GNC requirements analysis and trade-offs for system, software and hardware units, GNC performance analysis and budgeting, GNC system, software and unit procurement, and GNC system verification and validation throughout all project phases, including GNC fault detection isolation and recovery;
- participating in feasibility studies, including Phase 0 in the ESA Concurrent Design Facility, 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 and addressing mission-enabling GNC system concepts as well as mathematical modelling, multi-physics simulation of complex spacecraft dynamics, and advanced guidance, control, estimation and optimisation techniques and tools;
- fostering new application areas for multidisciplinary activities, with an emphasis on innovative concepts, cutting-edge technologies and system architectures;
- laboratory activities for the evaluation and prototyping of new GNC systems and sensors, as required;
- monitoring applicable scientific and technological trends and maintaining state-of-the-art expertise;
- contributing to the dissemination of the results of activities performed and the transfer of knowledge across the Agency.
Your duties may also include supporting other activities within your area of competence.
Technical competencies
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
For more information, please refer to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook.
Education and professional experience
A master's degree in aerospace engineering or control engineering is required for this post together with 5 years of relevant professional experience.
Additional requirements
Proven experience in the development (design, analysis, simulation and testing) of GNC systems for exploration missions, space transportation systems, planetary science and/or active debris removal or in-orbit servicing, assembly and manufacturing.
Preference will be given to those with strong expertise in two or more of the following areas related to the position with ideally 8 or more years of relevant experience:
- Rendezvous, close proximity operations and distributed or coordinated control techniques applicable to active debris removal or in-orbit servicing, assembly and manufacturing applications;
- GNC hardware sensors and actuators;
- Classical and advanced (robust, adaptive, non-linear) control and filtering techniques;
- Relative navigation technology (sensors and techniques, including image processing and data fusion) for space systems;
- Mathematical modelling and multi-physics/multi-domain simulation techniques;
- Machine learning techniques and their application to safety-critical or mission-critical systems.
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 & eligible to acquire the security clearance by their national security administrations.
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.