Our team and mission

The Radio Frequency Payloads and Technology Division is responsible for radio frequency (RF) payloads, instruments and technologies for space and ground applications, including all equipment with a radio frequency space/ground interface and its associated laboratories. The Division supports the definition, specification, development and qualification activities for ESA projects, technology programmes or external customers. 

The Division consists of four sections covering the following domains:

• Payloads with RF interface for telecommunication and navigation exploiting various technologies (e.g. analogue, digital, optical), including design, performance analysis tools and testing;
• Earth observation and scientific RF active and passive instrument design, performance analysis, engineering and testing up to submillimetre waves;
• Wave propagation and interaction relevant to space communications, navigation and remote sensing, including interference and regulatory aspects;
• Antenna systems, architecture, technologies and techniques for all space applications, including space vehicle TT&C and user segment terminals, as well as antenna engineering and RF testing of antennas and material;
• RF equipment and technologies, including RF passive technologies, RF active technologies, vacuum electronics and high-power RF phenomena (multipactor, corona and passive intermodulation);
• Time and frequency references, modelling, design tools, measurements, performance characterisation and calibration techniques.

The Division manages laboratories to test/proof concept soundness and validation and to enable research and development of novel concepts or techniques. They cover:

• microwave and millimetre wave (https://technology.esa.int/lab/microwave-laboratory);
• payload engineering;
• antenna testing;
• high-power RF phenomena and high-power space material characterisation (www.val-space.com).

You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

You will, as a Young Graduate Trainee, have the opportunity to work in one of the following disciplines, depending on your background and interests:

1) RF active technologies: In a few years’ time, next-generation satcom systems will deploy satellites, ground station equipment and ground terminals in the W-band frequency allocation. Our team is evaluating the technologies of the future for their potential use in these novel systems. Within our Section, you will assess state-of-the-art semiconductor technologies, as well as vacuum tube electronics, for their use in W-band satcom systems. The assessment will include analytical work and simulations with industry-standard tools, as well as a number of innovative test campaigns on real hardware within our Microwave Laboratory.

2) Time and frequency technologies: Oscillators, atomic clocks and clock monitoring units or UTC laboratory tools for time realisation and time transfer require extensive characterisation and performance analysis in a wide range of operational and environmental conditions. You will support the development of clock performance tools, time transfer techniques and test beds for the verification of state-of-the-art time and frequency equipment, including GNSS timing receivers, novel miniature atomic clocks and next-generation, high-performance atomic clocks, within our Microwave Laboratory.

3) RF passive technologies: Numerous satellite mega-constellations are under development. Accommodation and cost are major concerns for small-platform satellites when considering high-performance RF passive hardware (filters, isolators, switches, beamforming networks, etc.). The challenge therefore is to achieve a high level of integration of several RF functions in order to develop innovative solutions comprising novel synthesis methods for filters and the use of advanced technologies/materials for mass production. Advanced manufacturing (AM) of RF parts, such as 3D printing, plays an increasing role in this domain. Within our team, you will assess state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing techniques for the development of spaceborne RF passive hardware. The assessment will touch upon the above topics and will involve design, analysis with circuit and/or full-wave electromagnetic simulations, breadboarding and experimental validation of novel RF passive equipment within our Microwave Laboratory.

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation

Operational Efficiency

Fostering Cooperation

Relationship Management

Continuous Improvement

Forward Thinking

Education

You should have just completed, or be in the final year of your Master’ s degree in telecommunications, electrical/electronic engineering, microwave engineering or physics.

Additional requirements

You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team.

Specific competence in one of the following disciplines is considered an asset: 

• Knowledge of design and simulation tools such as ADS, MWO, HFSS, CST or MICIAN.
• Experience in RF testing as well as programming, e.g. MATLAB, LabView.

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.

During the interview, your motivation and overall professional career goals will also be explored.