D2D 5G/6G Network Lead Mission 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:
The D2D 5G/6G Network Lead Mission Engineer will play a pivotal role in the D2D Project within the Communication Constellations and NG 5G/6G NTN Partnerships Division. This position involves overseeing all aspects of 5G/6G network development and procurement for the Direct-to-Device (D2D) Partnership Projects, specifically ELEOSYS and SELYCE. The engineer will act as the primary interface with satellite operators and industrial prime contractors, making critical decisions on behalf of ESA Partnership Projects. Responsibilities include ensuring the design, development, qualification, and validation of 5G/6G network elements align with mission requirements and performance standards, all while adhering to budget and schedule constraints. The role also emphasizes the importance of Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) connectivity, which is seen as a significant growth opportunity in satellite communications, aiming to innovate and validate satellite payloads and ground network technologies using ESA Member States’ supply chain solutions.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties of the D2D 5G/6G Network Lead Mission Engineer encompass a wide range of responsibilities including: leading the definition, procurement, design, development, qualification, acceptance, deployment, and validation of the 5G/6G NTN system architecture; ensuring mission performance alignment with system requirements across space, ground, and user segments; supervising the development and validation of the 5G/6G NTN software protocol stack; leading end-to-end integration of NTN payloads and subsystems; ensuring technical consistency and effective coordination across project areas; interfacing with industrial counterparts to monitor and support technical progress; managing requirements, specifications, and operational concepts; conducting system reviews and leading project team engineers; proactively monitoring system schedules and identifying risks; supporting the Project Manager with technical, programmatic, and financial reporting; and contributing to communication and outreach activities related to the project.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a master’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline, along with a minimum of four years of relevant professional experience. Alternatively, candidates with a bachelor’s degree and an additional four years of relevant experience may also be considered. The position requires proven experience in SatCom systems specification, design, development, verification, and validation, particularly in satellite constellations. Familiarity with 5G/6G telecom networks, agile system engineering, and model-based system engineering is highly advantageous. Knowledge of ESA procurement processes, project risk management, and industrial cost control is also essential.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a master’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline. Candidates with a bachelor’s degree may be considered if they have additional relevant professional experience. The educational qualifications should provide a strong foundation in engineering principles applicable to telecommunications and satellite systems.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least four years of relevant professional experience in the field of telecommunications and satellite systems. Experience working in cross-functional teams and promoting innovation through collaborative processes is essential. Direct experience with commercial telecommunications prime contractors or operators is a distinct advantage, as is familiarity with ESA’s Partnership Projects.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, as it is one of the working languages of ESA. A good knowledge of French is also required. Knowledge of another language from an ESA Member State would be considered an asset, enhancing communication within the diverse workforce of the agency.

Additional Notes:
This position is a fixed-term appointment with an initial duration of four years, which may be extended up to a maximum of eight years based on performance and organizational needs. The recruitment will be conducted within the advertised grade band (A2-A4), but candidates with less than four years of relevant experience may be considered for a lower grade (A1). Applicants must be eligible to access information subject to European or US export control regulations. The recruitment process may include selection tests, and successful candidates will undergo basic screening before appointment. ESA is committed to diversity and inclusiveness, welcoming applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or other characteristics.