ERS-EO Security Applications 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 in various domains including Earth observation, human spaceflight, exploration, and telecommunications, and collaborates with numerous international partners to advance space science and technology.

Job Overview:
As an EO security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security Applications Engineer, you will play a crucial role in the European Resilience from Space (ERS) programme, which aims to enhance European Earth Observation (EO) capabilities for security stakeholders. Your primary responsibility will be to integrate lower Technology Readiness Level (TRL) EO applications and services into Security Resilience Nodes, which are designed to improve access to advanced space infrastructure and tailored applications for national security needs. You will work closely with various stakeholders, including institutional and industrial partners, to ensure that the requirements of individual Member States are effectively translated into research and development activities. This position requires a proactive approach to fostering the adoption of civilian and commercial EO capabilities within the security community, addressing gaps in current capabilities, and promoting innovative solutions that leverage EO data for enhanced security measures.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Your duties will include:

• Building awareness and acceptance of civilian/commercial EO capabilities among security stakeholders to foster longer-term adoption.
• Collaborating with key stakeholders in the security community to establish and consolidate requirements for geoinformation products and services, identifying priority gaps in current capabilities.
• Devising technical specifications for applications and services to address priority requirements and gaps agreed with relevant stakeholders.
• Identifying and addressing structural impediments to the take-up of civilian/commercial EO-based products/services in various security domains and creating relevant space-based solutions.
• Working closely with European EO and non-EO industry to establish operational scenarios and technical approaches for generating and delivering a portfolio of EO-based applications and services addressing agreed priorities and gaps within the security communities of individual Member States.
• Defining, implementing, and managing innovative projects to foster the use of civilian EO in the security domain, in combination with complementary data collection, processing, and communications technologies.
• Assessing EO science and application developments, including data analytics and artificial intelligence, with respect to their exploitation potential for stakeholders within the wider security domain.
• Interfacing with the EOP Ground Segment and Mission Management Department to ensure consistency with complementary ground segment capability development activities.
• Cooperating with other ESA teams involved in industrial innovation, particularly the EOP Φ-Lab and the Directorates of Technology, Engineering and Quality, and Commercialisation, Industry and Competitiveness to address evolving security domain priorities. 1
• Contributing to ESA communication efforts promoting EO results, mission achievements, and EO benefits for society and Earth Action.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a master’s degree in a relevant discipline such as Signal Processing, Earth Science, Computer Science, or Data Science, along with at least 6 years of relevant professional experience in security-related EO applications. A PhD in a related field is considered an asset. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate experience working with diverse stakeholders across both the space and security communities, showcasing their ability to navigate complex environments and foster collaboration.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a master’s degree in a relevant field such as Signal Processing, Earth Science, Computer Science, or Data Science. A PhD is advantageous and may enhance a candidate's profile, particularly in terms of research capabilities and advanced technical knowledge.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 6 years of relevant professional experience in security-related EO applications. Candidates should have a proven track record of working with stakeholders to elicit requirements for analysis and decision support, as well as experience in developing and implementing EO applications tailored to security needs.

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 Member State language would be considered an asset, enhancing communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders across the agency's member states.

Additional Notes:
This is a fixed-term appointment with an initial duration of 4 years, which may be extended up to a maximum of 8 years depending on performance and organizational needs. The position is classified within the grade band A2 - A

• Recruitment will be conducted within this grade band, but if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of their master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level. Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations and must be eligible to acquire security clearance by their national security administrations. The recruitment process may include selection tests, and successful candidates will undergo basic screening before appointment, in compliance with ESA's security procedures. The agency is committed to diversity and inclusiveness, welcoming applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability, or other characteristics.