Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Our team and mission
The Atlantic Constellation is a cooperation initiative between Spain and Portugal. As part of this effort, Spain requested the European Space Agency to develop the Spanish Component of the Atlantic Constellation, denominated ESCA project. ESA’s Earth Observation Directorate oversees the procurement activities associated to the ESCA Project until Flight Acceptance Review of the satellites constellation and its associated Ground Segment. The ESCA goal is to develop a small satellite constellation for remote sensing, with frequent access capability to the territories of Spain and Portugal, and the surrounding seas.
The ESCA project baselines a constellation of eight small satellites equipped with several payloads instruments, including a high-resolution multispectral imager operating in the visible and near infrared, a GNSS reflectometry receiver, an Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver, and a Satellite Internet of Things (Satellite-IoT) receiver. These satellites will deliver low-latency, systematic remote sensing, as well as targeted emergency response capabilities, with main focus the Spanish and Portuguese territories however with the extended capability of performing acquisitions anywhere in the world and with the potential for future collaboration with other International Partners and complementary projects.
The ESA technical team working on the development of the project is a compact and agile group consisting mostly of engineers of various disciplines: optical, performance, system, product assurance, ground segment and operation amongst others. The main goal of the project team is to ensure the project meets its technical and programmatic requirements, by means of a close collaboration with the ESCA Industrial partners and all other project stakeholders.
You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int
Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship
You will be part of the team developing the Spanish Component of the Atlantic Constellation.
Your main tasks will include:
supporting the technical team in the definition of system mathematical models (optical, radiometric, etc.) to evaluate performance requirements verification;
assisting the technical team in the definition and management of the system requirements;
providing support in the definition and management of system interfaces;
assisting the performance team in ensuring that system performance and data quality meets user requirements;
supporting, internally to ESA, any technical reviews, ensuring the outcome of design and verification activities are compliant with the technical requirements;
assisting, internally to ESA, the team in the conduct of any test campaigns when required.
Technical competencies
Knowledge of relevant technical/functional domains
Relevant experience gained during internships, project work and/or extracurricular or other activities
General knowledge of the space sector and relevant activities
Knowledge of ESA and its programmes/projects
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook
Education
You should have just completed, or be in the final year of your master’ s degree in a relevant scientific degree, with strong preference to Remote Sensing, Physics or Aerospace Engineering.
Additional requirements
Familiarity with remote sensing data processing, optical systems performance modelling and simulation aspects, are considered strong assets.
Knowledge of satellite systems and/or remote sensing instruments development and validation is also an asset.
You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team. Previous experience of working in international teams can be considered an asset. Your motivation, overall professional perspective and career goals will also be explored during the later stages of the selection process.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.
At the Agency we value diversity, and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email at contact.human.resources@esa.int.
Important Information and Disclaimer
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency’s security procedures.
The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.
Nationality and Languages
Please note that applications can only be considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).
According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States*. When short-listing for an interview, priority will be given to external candidates from under-represented Member States*.
The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.
*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.
