Technology Development Engineer

Noordwijk

Organization: ESA - European Space Agency
Location: Noordwijk
Grade: Level not specified - Level not specified
Occupational Groups:
- Engineering
- Information Technology and Computer Science
Closing Date: Closed

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 post is classified A2-A4 on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale.

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description

Technology Development 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 and carries out technological research (R&D) in Satellite Radio Navigation, Satellite Telecommunications, and Earth Observation. The Section covers the design, development and testing of pre-commercial and commercial ground (user and infrastructure) equipment. It provides support for the implementation and testing of satellite navigation, telecom and Earth observation systems falling within the Division’s terms of reference, and is responsible for the development of dedicated test facilities. The Section supports both institutional and commercial programmes, in particular GSTP, NAVISP and InCubed, to that end calling also on ad hoc support from specialists from other sections in the Directorate.

Duties

You will report to the Head of Section and, within the technical fields described above, 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 activities performed and the transfer of knowledge across the Agency.

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

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 the preparation of procurement activities for technology development and innovation (statements of work, proposal evaluation, etc)

Experience in the management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in audits and reviews.

Experience in technology roadmap definition and harmonisation

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

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

Additional requirements

In the area of ground and user segments for Satellite Radio Navigation, Satellite Telecommunications, and Earth Observation, 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 some 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 Space for 5G;
-   Artificial intelligence applied to Earth observation, navigation and telecommunications user and/or ground segments;
-   Management of projects in the frame of ESA co-funding programmes such as GSTP, NAVISP and InCubed.

You must be eligible for security clearance from your national security administration

Other information

For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the ESA Competency Framework.

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 email 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, Lithuania 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.

Recruitment will normally be at the first grade in the band (A2); however, if the candidate selected has little or no experience, the position may be filled at A1 level.

This vacancy is now closed.
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