End-to-End Navigation System Engineer (2 Posts)

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 encompass 22 member states and employs over 2,200 staff members. The agency operates across multiple countries, focusing on various aspects of space exploration, including Earth observation, human spaceflight, and satellite navigation. ESA'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.

Job Overview:
The End-to-End Navigation System Engineer will be part of the Navigation Systems Implementation and Validation Section within the Systems Department of the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality. This role is crucial for providing expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects, particularly in the field of radio navigation systems and techniques, with a focus on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). The engineer will be responsible for the end-to-end integration, testing, and validation of complex navigation architectures, supporting established programs like Galileo and new missions such as Celeste LEO-PNT and OpStar. The position requires a deep understanding of system design and validation processes, particularly for space missions, and the ability to bridge the gap between detailed design and operational deployment.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The primary responsibilities of the End-to-End Navigation System Engineer include defining, guiding, and executing comprehensive System Assembly, Integration and Validation (SI&V) strategies and test campaigns across various lifecycle phases for programs like Galileo and emerging ESA PNT missions. The engineer will provide expert support to subsystem-level and system-level Assembly, Integration, and Testing (AIT) processes, ensuring the correct flow-down of system requirements. Responsibilities also include operating ESTEC Navigation Laboratory facilities for compatibility testing, supporting commissioning and in-flight operations, investigating system anomalies, and managing non-conformances. The engineer will participate in formal project reviews, define test scenarios, and contribute to the continuous improvement of SI&V engineering best practices.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a master's degree in telecommunication engineering or a relevant domain, along with at least four years of relevant professional experience. Additional qualifications include experience with satellite navigation and PNT systems, knowledge of machine learning or data analysis applied to PNT, and strong technical, analytical, organizational, and reporting skills. Good interpersonal and communication skills are essential, as the role requires collaboration in a multicultural environment.

Educational Background:
A master's degree in telecommunication engineering or a related field is required for this position. This educational background should provide a solid foundation in the principles of engineering, particularly as they relate to navigation systems and technologies.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the master's degree. Candidates should have hands-on experience in defining test plans and executing hardware/software test campaigns in laboratory environments, particularly in the context of satellite navigation and PNT systems.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, as it is one of the working languages of ESA. Knowledge of French is also required, and familiarity with another language from a Member State would be considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
The position is a four-year appointment, extendable to indefinite, and falls within the grade band A2-A

• Recruitment will be conducted within this grade band, but candidates with less than four years of relevant experience may be considered for an A1 level position. 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.