Earth Observation Future Missions Technology Coordination and Spacecraft Platform Engineer
Job Requisition ID: 19487
Date Posted: 2 May 2025
Closing Date: 23 May 2025 23:59 CET/CEST
Publication: Internal & External
Type of Contract: Permanent
Directorate: Earth Observation Programmes
Workplace:Noordwijk, NL
Grade Band: A2 - A4

DESCRIPTION

Earth Observation (EO) Future Missions Technology Coordination and Spacecraft Platform Engineer in the Future Missions and Instruments Division of the Future Missions and Architecture Department, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes (D/EOP).

EDUCATION

A master’s degree or PhD in engineering or physics is required for this post.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

A relevant Earth observation background and at least five years of experience in mission system engineering are required.
Experience of working in a team or project environment is required.
You are expected to be thorough in your approach, open to innovation and to be able to contribute to a dynamic and creative environment in preparatory phases of EO future missions.
You should have good interpersonal skills and be able to work and interact within small teams as well as autonomously.
Experience in spaceborne platform technologies and familiarity with EO remote sensing techniques would be an asset.

Reporting to the Head of the Technology Coordination and Frequency Management Section, you will work in close cooperation with other staff members of the Future Missions and Instruments Division and the Future Missions and Architecture Department (EOP-F). You will also liaise very closely with the EO Projects Department (EOP-P) and with the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality (D/TEC).

As part of your duties, you will be responsible for the following tasks related to Earth observation (EO) technology:

• identifying technology needs for the EO spacecraft platform based on space system requirements and lessons learned from previous and ongoing EO missions, including potential spin-in from other industrial sectors;
• contributing to the alignment of the EO strategy for technology with the EO science strategy;
• coordinating space technology planning with other directorates, in particular with the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality and the Directorate of Operations;
• contributing to the EO technology observatory function outside D/EOP, as well as outside ESA (such as other space agencies, the European Commission or the commercial market);
• defining the evolution of generic EO spacecraft platform product lines (e.g. data handling, AOCS, onboard software, power, propulsion or communications with the ground segment) by European industry in collaboration with other stakeholders in the Agency;
• defining, negotiating, initiating and managing industrial technology development activities, as well as conducting internal studies, in the area of generic EO spacecraft platforms;
• supporting EO future missions preparation through the participation in the evaluation of proposals in response to calls, reviews, assessment of industrial results, etc.;
• maintaining and improving the EO technology databases to facilitate internal coordination within the Division and Department and with external stakeholders.

When performing these tasks, you will interact closely with representatives of industry and other space agencies.