Our team and mission

LEO-PNT is an In-Orbit Demonstration project within the FutureNAV programme of ESA’s Directorate of Navigation. This project includes the definition, development, launch, operations and experimentation of a reduced constellation of In-Orbit Demonstration satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Its objective is to demonstrate innovative positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) services to complement and augment existing Global Navigation Satellites Systems (GNSS) such as Galileo and GPS. LEO-PNT encompasses space, ground and user technologies and services, and aims to demonstrate capabilities that would serve to meet challenging future user demands in PNT and to accelerate the readiness of European industry in this domain. LEO-PNT aims to adopt ‘New Space’ approaches for fast-track implementation.

Some of the possible advantages of LEO-PNT are faster high-accuracy positioning, enhanced services in harsh environments, more robust PNT services, geometry and frequency diversity, additional PNT data and two-way PNT links. Those features would support a wide range of applications in various market sectors and verticals, including autonomous vehicles – road and UAVs – and digital mobility in general, railway, maritime, critical infrastructure, 5G/6G networks and the Internet of Things.

The LEO-PNT Project Team is responsible for defining and implementing the In-Orbit Demonstration, as well as identifying directions, conclusions and lessons learned for the path towards a future European LEO-PNT operational system. 
 

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

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

As a Young Graduate Trainee, will report to the LEO-PNT Project Manager within the ESA Directorate of Navigation, and you will work in close collaboration with the LEO-PNT Lead System Engineer and other colleagues in the LEO-PNT team.

Based on the LEO-PNT In-Orbit Demonstration building blocks, assumptions and intermediate results, you will establish a framework for extrapolating the advantages and added value for a future operational LEO-PNT system in various aspects of the mission, including:

• LEO-PNT satellite payload and platform;
• ground segment;
• constellation mission analysis;
• concepts of operations;
• launcher aspects;
• adoption of ‘New Space’ approaches in all the above;
• user segment;
• system and end-user performance;
• consolidation of system technical requirements.

You will also have the opportunity to collaborate with the team working on the GENESIS project, also part of the FutureNAV programme, in particular for ‘New Space’ aspects.

The objective of the traineeship is to become involved in all the systems engineering aspects of a space project that is based on LEO satellites and follows ‘New Space’ approaches, and to gain skills related to space-based positioning, navigation and timing missions. You will have access to experienced team members to build on the engineering capability gained from your studies and the opportunity to prove that you can work independently on certain tasks.

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 a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering, telecommunications engineering, electrical engineering or applied physics/mathematics.

Additional requirements

Strong technical, analytical, organisational and reporting skills are expected, as are a proactive attitude to solving problems and an interest in innovative technologies and methodologies.

Knowledge of mathematical and engineering packages and programming languages for scientific and technical computing, such as Python, STK, MATLAB/Octave/Scilab, would be considered an asset. 
 

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

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 perspective/career goals will also be explored.