Job Description

Location

ECSAT, Harwell, United Kingdom or ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description

The SatCom AI Technology Lead within the Commercial Partnerships Department (CIP-P) in the Directorate of Commercialisation and Industry Partnership (CIP), directly reports to the Head of the Commercial Technologies, Products, Systems and Future Partnerships Division.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform the design, development, operation and commercialisation of satellite communications systems and services. It can enable autonomous and adaptive networks, optimise satellite resources and spectrum, accelerate engineering and product development, and support new services across integrated terrestrial and Non-Terrestrial Networks.

You will be responsible for advancing AI-enabled opportunities for commercial satellite communications, translating identified technology and market needs into development activities and supporting their progression towards operational application and commercial exploitation.

Acting as a focal point for SatCom AI activities within CIP, you will bring together relevant technical, programme and commercial expertise across ESA, industry, operators, academia and the wider AI ecosystem to progress promising opportunities from concept through development, demonstration and validation.

You will lead the definition, development and productization of artificial intelligence-enabled solutions for satellite communications, including activities delivered through the ECSAT AI Hub and in cooperation with relevant ESA programmes, industry and institutional partners.

The role will translate strategic objectives and market needs into a coherent Satcom AI product portfolio, roadmaps, demonstrators and scalable solutions. It will connect satellite communications expertise with artificial intelligence, data platforms and software-enabled network capabilities, with a focus on operational value, commercial adoption and responsible deployment. The postholder will coordinate multidisciplinary teams and external partners, oversee product lifecycle activities from opportunity identification to validation and exploitation, and ensure alignment with ESA procurement, governance and programme objectives.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include the following:

• Contributing to the development and maintenance of SatCom AI technology roadmaps by assessing emerging technologies, market developments, capability needs and potential use cases and identifying opportunities for further development;
• Assessing and prioritising AI-enabled SatCom opportunities, taking account of their technical potential, maturity, application needs, development requirements and prospective operational and commercial value;
• Translating selected opportunities into appropriate development activities, demonstrators, pilots or proof-of-concepts, defining their objectives, scope and technical requirements with relevant experts and partners;
• Advancing AI-enabled SatCom solutions through development and validation, identifying how technology maturity, SatCom system requirements, data and computing needs, validation requirements and operational constraints need to be addressed;
• Assessing the results of development activities and determining the further development, validation or integration required to progress promising solutions towards operational application or commercial exploitation;
• Assessing industry-proposed AI activities and associated business and market assumptions and providing recommendations on their technical potential, maturity, development needs and prospective application;
• Coordinating multidisciplinary contributions from ESA technical experts, industry, operators, AI companies, universities and research institutions required to progress SatCom AI activities effectively;
• Identifying opportunities to connect SatCom AI activities with relevant ESA programmes, the ECSAT AI Hub and external initiatives where complementary capabilities or development opportunities exist;
• Providing technical advice on SatCom AI opportunities and activities within the Directorate and representing the Department in relevant technical discussions and coordination forums;
• Monitoring relevant developments in AI and satellite communications and assessing their implications and potential opportunities for the Directorate’s activities;
• Providing technical guidance to engineers, research fellows, interns and other specialists contributing to individual SatCom AI activities, where required.

In performing these duties, you will represent the Directorate of Commercialisation and Industry Partnership in relevant AI coordination bodies fostering partnerships with industry, operators, AI companies, universities and research institutions. You will also interface with the Directorate’s project teams and colleagues, other ESA directorates, industry and academia, presenting technical assessments and/or proposing solutions, explaining their benefits, limitations, implementation requirements and commercial potential.

Technical competencies

Consolidated expertise in AI, including several relevant areas such as Machine Learning, Reinforcement Learning, multi-agent systems, Large Language Models, generative AI, deep learning, optimisation or neuromorphic computing

Strong knowledge of SatCom systems, including payloads, spectrum, ground systems, terminals, network management and end-to-end service architectures

Knowledge of 5G/6G NTN, Direct-to-Device services, integrated terrestrial-satellite networks, multi-orbit connectivity and intelligent network automation

Proven experience in defining AI or technology roadmaps for SatCom systems, and translating strategic priorities into implementable research, product development or commercial activities

Ability to clearly communicate complex AI and SatCom system matters, providing advise to teams, programme managers, senior management and/or Member State representatives

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation

Operational Efficiency

Fostering Cooperation

Relationship Management

Continuous Improvement

Forward Thinking

For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

Education and professional experience

A master’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline is required for this post together with four years of relevant professional experience. Alternatively, candidates with a bachelor’s degree and an additional four years of relevant professional experience may be considered.

Additional requirements

The following would be considered distinct assets:

• Experience in proposing, evaluating and managing technical activities, including assessing industrial proposals, technical results and technology maturity
• Good understanding of modern software engineering methods and tools applied to the development of artificial intelligence development processes
• Hands-on design, implementation, training and validation of AI algorithms in engineering, product-representative or operational environments
• Experience leading multidisciplinary initiatives and building collaboration across industry, academia, research communities and institutional stakeholders

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness

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, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.

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 via email at contact.human.resources@esa.int.

Important Information and Disclaimer

In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level.

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.

Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.

Nationality and Languages

Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.

According to the ESA Convention, staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the Member States.

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.