User Terminals - Spectrum and Signals Officer

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 multiple countries and has various programs aimed at scientific exploration, Earth observation, and telecommunications, among others. The agency is committed to fostering international cooperation in space exploration and technology development.

Job Overview:
The User Terminals – Spectrum and Signals Officer will be part of the IRIS² Integrated Programme Team within the Secure Connectivity Programme Department at ESA. This position is crucial for the development and validation of the EU Secure Connectivity satellite constellation, which aims to provide a robust communication infrastructure for governmental use. The officer will be responsible for ensuring the timely delivery of user terminals that are essential for accessing spectrum and implementing the 5G standardization roadmap. The role involves close collaboration with various stakeholders, including ESA, the European Commission, and industry partners, to build up the EU's industrial capabilities in satellite communications. The officer will also oversee activities related to the development and validation of user terminals, ensuring that they meet the required specifications and standards.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the User Terminals – Spectrum and Signals Officer include: interfacing with the ESA Secure Connectivity System Office and the ESA Ground Segment and Operations Office; conducting IPT activities to build EU engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain capabilities; reporting to the Exploitation Manager of the IPT; ensuring timely availability of user terminals; managing access to spectrum for the IRIS² infrastructure; interfacing with industry on signal matters, including 5G; maintaining a baseline scenario for user segment development; contributing to programme-level schedule management, risk management, and configuration control; overseeing the implementation of risk and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security management processes; participating in system and ground segment reviews; and collaborating with other IPT officers and the Security Team.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong technical background in system and/or user terminal design, development, and validation, with expertise in spectrum regulatory matters. Experience in managing industrial activities, including technical negotiations and reviews, is essential. A comprehensive knowledge of space system architecture and related technical requirements is required, along with experience in managing complex project risk management processes. Candidates should also demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to foster cooperation and manage relationships effectively.

Educational Background:
A master’s degree in a relevant domain such as physics, satellite communications, or aerospace is required for this position. Alternatively, candidates with a bachelor’s degree and an additional four years of relevant professional experience may be considered. The educational background should provide a solid foundation in the technical aspects of satellite communications and related fields.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of six years of relevant professional experience for candidates with a master’s degree. For those with a bachelor’s degree, at least ten years of relevant experience is necessary. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in the implementation of large space programmes or projects, ideally in the telecommunications domain, and experience working with commercial telecommunications companies is desirable.

Languages:
The working languages of ESA are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these languages is mandatory, while knowledge of another Member State language would be considered an asset. Candidates must also be eligible for security clearance by their national security administration.

Additional Notes:
The position is a four-year appointment, extendable to indefinite, and is based in Brussels, Belgium, with a resident assignment to Noordwijk, Netherlands. The recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4), 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. The agency is committed to diversity and inclusiveness, welcoming applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability, or other characteristics.