Wave Interaction Engineer
Job Requisition ID: 19602
Date Posted: 4 June 2025
Closing Date: 25 June 2025 23:59 CET/CEST
Publication: Internal & External
Type of Contract: Permanent
Directorate: Technology, Engineering and Quality
Workplace:Noordwijk, NL
Grade Band: A2 - A4

DESCRIPTION

Wave Interaction Engineer in the Wave Interaction and Propagation Section, RF Payloads & Technology Division, Electrical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

The Wave Interaction and Propagation Section provides functional support to ESA projects and carries out technological research (R&D) in the field(s) of:

• Wave propagation relevant to space communications, navigation and remote sensing;
• Wave interaction for active, passive and combined remote sensing of ocean, land and atmosphere of the Earth and other planets;
• In-situ characterization of the interaction/propagation environment;
• Data processing and data science techniques, simulation and performance evaluation tools.

For what concerns:

• Modelling and experimental validation;
• Associated processing, mitigation, retrieval, correction and calibration algorithms for product generation. For remote sensing this includes algorithmic developments relevant to Lvl1 and Lvl2 ground processing;
• For remote sensing, design and validation of on-board processing functions/algorithms for payload data products, image processing and optical payload data compression;
• Related end-to-end performance assessment, including contribution to data products quality monitoring and improvement.

EDUCATION

A master’s degree in a relevant scientific/engineering discipline is required for this post.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Strong knowledge of microwave interaction with natural environment for remote sensing
• Experience with the design of associated forward models and retrieval algorithms
• Experience with microwave Earth observation instrument concepts such as GNSS-R, GNSS-RO, SAR, microwave radiometry, microwave altimetry, and with related end-to-end performance assessment, spurious effects mitigation and vicarious calibration techniques
• Experience with associated Level-1 (physical observation) and Level-2 (geophysical) data products and data processing techniques
• Experience with defining and using performance simulation tools, in conducting simulations and end-to-end performance analyses
• Familiarity with data science techniques and with the development of scientific software code
• Experience with working in a space project environment and in the procurement and monitoring of industrial activities
  Particular importance will be given to the ability to interact with both science and engineering communities.
  Knowledge and understanding of the Earth science context is considered a strong asset.

You will report to the Head of Section and, within the technical fields described above, your main tasks and activities will include:

• providing expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects, programmes and general studies throughout all project phases;
• participating in feasibility studies, project reviews and evaluation of procurement proposals;
• identifying critical development problems and assisting in their resolution;
• contributing to the definition of technology development requirements and work plans for the Agency’s technology programmes;
• defining, initiating and managing R&D activities covering both long- and short-term needs;
• fostering new application areas for multidisciplinary activities, placing emphasis on innovative concepts, cutting-edge technologies and system architectures;
• laboratory activities as required;
• monitoring applicable scientific and technological trends and maintaining a state-of-the-art expertise;
• contributing to the dissemination of the results of the activities performed and the transfer of knowledge across the Agency.

Your duties may also include supporting other activities within your area of competence.