Job Description

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

TT&C Engineer in the RF Payload Architecture, TT&C Subsystem and Digital Equipment Section, RF Payloads and Technology Division, Electrical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

The Section covers the specification, design, development and verification/testing of:

• telecommunication payloads and subsystems, microwave and millimetre-wave remote sensing instruments, and navigation payloads exploiting analogue, digital and optical onboard technologies;
• telemetry, tracking and control (TT&C) subsystems, payload data transmission (PDT) subsystems including deep space and near-Earth transponders, proximity and intersatellite (ISL) link equipment, high-speed downlink modulators and digital communication equipment (or “TT&C/PDT subsystems” for short);
• radio frequency digital equipment for telecommunication/navigation payloads, radio frequency/microwave and millimetre-wave remote sensing instruments and radio frequency subsystems (e.g. TT&C, PDT and ISL), as well as payload signal and data processing techniques.

Duties

You will report to the Head of Section and within the technical fields described above, your main tasks and responsibilities will include:

• providing expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects, programmes and general studies in the field of TT&C and PDT subsystems, including their associated EGSE and related equipment (e.g. receivers, transmitters or transponders), throughout all project phases;
• contributing to the definition, specification, development and verification of future TT&C and PDT subsystems, as well as the associated EGSE and equipment; design and implementation of associated functions and techniques within the TT&C/PDT subsystem;
• assessing new concepts, architectures, technologies and techniques to be applied to the next generation of TT&C and PDT subsystems;
• defining the technological requirements and generation of specifications from the subsystem level down to equipment and antenna;
• participating in feasibility studies, project reviews and the evaluation of procurement proposals;
• identifying critical development problems and assisting in their resolution;
• contributing to the definition of technology development requirements and work plans for the Agency’s technology programmes in the field of TT&C and PDT subsystems;
• defining, initiating and managing R&D activities covering both long- and short-term needs;
• fostering new application areas for multidisciplinary activities, placing emphasis on innovative concepts, cutting-edge technologies and system architectures;
• monitoring applicable scientific and technological trends and maintaining state-of-the-art expertise;
  contributing to the dissemination of the results of the activities performed and the transfer of knowledge across the Agency;
• development of simulation tools and associated paradigms in support of the design, development and performance evaluation of TT&C and PDT subsystems;
• implementation of laboratory activities associated with testing, characterisation and performance assessment of TT&C and PDT subsystems;
• supervising students and trainees for analysis, simulation and development of advanced concepts in the technical field of the Section.

Your duties may also include supporting other activities within your field of competence.

Technical competencies

General background and specific experience in the technical domains covered by the positionHands-on hardware experienceExperience in the development and verification of space hardwareExperience with the design, development and application of relevant tools and methodsUnderstanding of related technologies, R&D trends and the industrial landscapeProject support experience in a relevant domain Experience in the management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in reviews

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 telecommunications, electronics or RF/microwave engineering is required for this post together with 4 years of relevant professional experience. Alternatively, candidates with a bachelor’s degree, complemented by an additional four (4) years of relevant professional experience can be considered.

Additional requirements

• Very good understanding of TT&C and PDT subsystems for space applications (such as navigation, telecommunications and Earth observation), including the functionality, architectures and key performance parameters specification and evaluation, is required.
• Experience with the design, development and verification of TT&C and PDT subsystems for space applications is required.
• Very good knowledge of modern computer systems, simulation and modelling tools, programming languages, signal processing techniques and technologies is required.
• Several years of professional experience in the technical domains required for this position would be considered an asset.

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 & eligible to acquire the security clearance by their national security administrations.

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.