Ground Station Engineer

Job Posting Organization:
The European Space Agency (ESA) is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to the exploration of space. Established in 1975, ESA has grown to include 22 member states and employs over 2,200 staff members. The agency's mission is to shape the development of Europe's space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. ESA operates across multiple countries, with its headquarters located in Paris, France, and various facilities across Europe, including the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Darmstadt, Germany, which is responsible for the operations of ESA's satellites and space missions.

Job Overview:
The Ground Station Engineer will work within the Station Subsystems and Configuration Control Section (OPS-GSS) of the Ground Systems Engineering and Innovation Department at ESA. This role involves reporting to the Head of Section and is crucial for the development, evolution, and maintenance of critical equipment and systems within the ESA tracking ground stations, known as ESTRACK. The engineer will be responsible for a range of systems, including cryo-cooled feeds, frequency converters, modems, and timing systems. The position requires a strong focus on research and development of innovative concepts for space communications, ensuring that these systems are adapted for future satellite missions. The engineer will also provide engineering support to ESA programs and lead the design and deployment of the new All Digital Ground Station (ADIG) concept, which aims to enhance the capabilities of ESTRACK.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Ground Station Engineer will have a diverse set of responsibilities, including:

• Specification and development of space communication technologies to support ESA and third-party missions, enhancing ground station performance.
• Project management for the development and deployment of innovative space communication systems in ground stations, ensuring a seamless chain of innovation.
• Providing engineering matrix support in their area of expertise to ESA programs and third-party missions.
• Offering engineering support for the operations of ESTRACK.
• Managing research and development activities focused on new innovations for ESA’s ground stations.
• Establishing specifications for custom development and/or procurement of radio frequency (RF) and telecommunications equipment, including frequency converters, feeds, amplifiers, and modems.
• Drafting statements of work and monitoring industrial development and procurement contracts for ground station subsystems, including overseeing their deployment and integration.
• Developing high-speed samplers and ADC/DAC for the All Digital Ground Station.
• Taking responsibility for cryo-cooled systems within ESTRACK and developing new generations of these systems. 1
• Simulating RF and telecommunication systems and subsystems performance. 1
• Defining and conducting tests to verify performance and functionalities at industry premises, ESA laboratories, and ground stations. 1
• Contributing to standardization and harmonization activities in their domain of expertise. 1
• Specifying and supervising industrial service contracts for related services.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a master's degree in communication, electrical engineering, or a related field. Additionally, they should demonstrate strong technical competencies in RF and optical engineering, communications engineering, FPGA and hardware design, and software engineering. Behavioral competencies such as result orientation, operational efficiency, fostering cooperation, relationship management, continuous improvement, and forward thinking are also essential for success in this role.

Educational Background:
A master's degree in communication, electrical engineering, or an equivalent field is required for this position. This educational background is crucial as it provides the foundational knowledge necessary for the complex tasks associated with ground station engineering and space communications.

Experience:
The position requires relevant professional experience, ideally four years or more, following the completion of the master's degree. However, candidates with less experience may still be considered for a lower grade level (A1) if they demonstrate strong potential and relevant skills.

Languages:
The working languages of the European Space Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these languages is mandatory for the position. Additionally, knowledge of another language from an ESA Member State would be considered an asset, enhancing communication and collaboration within the diverse workforce.

Additional Notes:
The appointment is for a duration of four years, with the possibility of extension to an indefinite term. The position is classified within the grade band A2 - A4, depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications. Recruitment is open to nationals of ESA Member States, and the agency is committed to diversity and inclusiveness in its hiring practices. Candidates must be eligible to access information and technology subject to European or US export control regulations. The recruitment process may include selection tests and background screening as part of ESA's security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security procedures.