Our team and mission

The RF Systems Division is responsible for space instrumentation and end-to-end communication systems, subsystems, and equipment and technologies, covering the following: 

• Telecommunication system and subsystem design and validation; 
• Radio navigation system and subsystem design and validation; 
• Commercial ground and user segment products for navigation, telecommunications and remote sensing; 
• Systems for tracking, telemetry and command (TT&C) and payload data transmission (PDT) for communication, navigation, remote sensing and scientific applications; 
• Systems testing for performance evaluation and validation; 
• Laboratories to test/prove the soundness of concepts and validate them. 

The RF Systems Division consists of five Sections and associated divisional laboratories. These are: 

1. Telecommunication Systems and Techniques 
2. TT&C and PDT Systems and Techniques 
3. Radio Navigation Systems and Techniques 
4. Commercial User Segment Product and Navigation System Implementation and Validation 
5. Systems Security Engineering 

You will, as a Young Graduate Trainee, join the Radio Navigation Systems and Techniques Section. 

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

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) such as Galileo and GPS are essential for the provision of positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) in many different applications, from positioning in smartphones to synchronisation of telecommunication systems. Moreover, GNSS is expected to be a key player in the derivation of positioning and timing for future applications, including those in the context of the Internet of Things (IoT) and autonomous vehicles. 

Although GNSS performs very well in mild propagation conditions, its usage in deep urban and indoor conditions remains an unresolved problem. In this context, both low-Earth orbit (LEO) constellations and 5G/6G communication systems/signals offer significant potential for the improvement of the PNT solutions for applications operating in challenging conditions and for GNSS-only solutions. Thus, a multilayer PNT solution exploiting the current GNSS signals, together with LEO and 5G/6G systems and signals, is of interest to enable future demanding applications. 

In your role as a Young Graduate Trainee, you will contribute to the design, development and testing of innovative multilayer PNT solutions exploiting combinations of GNSS, LEO and 5G/6G systems and signals in urban and indoor conditions. This will include research and design of innovative signal estimators, tracking engines and fusion algorithms and techniques. It may also include the implementation of these techniques in software tools developed in the Section and assessment and testing with both simulated and real signals exploiting software/hardware prototypes and test beds available in the navigation laboratory. 

The above activities may involve pure R&D as well as hands-on activities such as the development and testing of innovative solutions in the lab and in the field.

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 or electronics engineering.

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.

A background in one or more of the following fields is required: satellite radio navigation systems (in particular Galileo and GPS), position estimation and/or fusion algorithms, signal processing, and navigation signals estimation/tracking. Applicants should have a good knowledge of and experience with MATLAB. Experience with GNSS receiver processing techniques, 5G systems/signals, and/or LEO-PNT is an asset.

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.