Our team and mission

The Navigation Support Office at ESA/ESOC is responsible for the geodetic and time reference of ESA missions and supports ESA missions and European Commission Space Programmes (Galileo, EGNOS and, Copernicus) by providing precise orbits, data analysis, consultancy, and mission analysis. As part of its responsibilities, the Navigation Support Office actively contributes to the services of the International Association on Geodesy (IAG), operating analysis centres for all space geodetic techniques.

The main expertise of the Navigation Support Office can be summarised as:

• precise orbit determination for LEO and MEO satellites (centimetre-level accuracy) post-processing and real-time high-precision GNSS data processing (Galileo, EGNOS, GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, QZSS and IRNSS);
• development of state-of-the-art models and algorithms for high-precision orbit and clock determination (processing all geodetic data types, GNSS, laser, VLBI, DORIS, altimetry and, S-band);
• operation of a global network of real-time GNSS sensor stations (e.g. ESA's GNSS Observation Network);
• development, maintenance and operation of complex navigation software infrastructure;
• time scale realisation and time transfer (e.g. Universal Time).

The main operational services and products, provided by the Navigation Support Office to ESA and third party customers are:

• the geodetic and time reference
• navigation services requiring the highest precision 
• navigation services requiring high availability and reliability
• navigation batch and real-time services
• system design and analysis (navigation-related infrastructure)
• consultancy

You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int and the website of the Navigation Support Office: http:/ /navigation-office.esa.int

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

The Precise Orbit Determination (POD) software of the Navigation Support Office is currently being upgraded to more modern, flexible, and efficient packages with the objective of integrating current capabilities with the most modern techniques and algorithms required by the fast-growing space sector, particularly in the precise navigation domain.
In particular, the new POD software is undergoing a rigorous redesigning phase, in terms of algorithms, data processing, precise product generation, monitoring etc., as well as efficient integration with the newly designed relational database system. The database holds all the metadata required for the tasks of the Navigation Support Office and interfaces between the internal and external services and our software.

As a Young Graduate Trainee, you will in particular contribute to:

• the review of the state-of-the-art software and database for POD applications; 
• the design and development of the new POD software;
• the design and development of the new relational database system and its integration in the software.

For these activities, you will play an active role in the development team and you will support [and be supported by) a team of navigation experts, where your own expertise, proactive behaviour and fresh ideas will play an active role and be promoted and fostered.

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 a technical or scientific discipline.

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 skills in one of the following disciplines would be considered an asset:

• Experience in software development, particularly in C++ and Python, coding standards and repositories 
• Experience in relational database development and maintenance, particularly in SQL
• Basic knowledge in the area of geodesy and navigation

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.