Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands with a resident assignment to ECSAT, Harwell, UK.
Description
Navigation Ground Mission Segment Engineer in the Navigation Systems Implementation and Validation Section, End-to-End Systems Division, Systems Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.
The Navigation Systems Implementation and Validation Section provides functional support to the Agency’s activities relating to the implementation and validation of positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) and geo-location systems.
The domain covers:
the end-to-end (E2E) implementation and validation of positioning, navigation, timing and geo-location systems and functions at system and space, ground and user segment level;
the ground mission segment, element and equipment and all related techniques and technologies that support ESA’s PNT and geo-location missions;
user segment equipment and products;
testing and monitoring of system, segment and service performance and signal-in-space quality during operational phases.
The Section operates specialised test facilities and laboratories, playing a crucial role in supporting ESA’s programmes and contributing to the competitiveness of the European space industry.
You will be primarily assigned to provide support to the Moonlight/LCNS (Lunar Communication Navigation Service) Programme as Navigation Ground Mission Segment Engineer. For this main task, you will work under the coordination of the Moonlight Navigation Manager, who is responsible for all Directorate of Navigation-related aspects of the Moonlight Programme activities. You will be formally integrated into the Moonlight Project Team based at ECSAT Harwell, reporting there to the LCNS Ground Segment and Operations Manager on a day-to-day basis.
The Moonlight Partnership Programme is a multi-domain activity led by the Directorate of Connectivity and Secure Communications (D/CSC) and jointly implemented with the Directorate of Navigation (D/NAV) and the Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes. The Moonlight Project will establish a European-led commercial delivery of LCNS that will support the current and next generations of institutional and commercial lunar explorers.
Duties
Your tasks and responsibilities will include:
supporting the ground segment requirements and specifications, design drivers, technical and performance indicators and operational concepts, including their consistency with the system requirements and specifications;
monitoring the activities relevant to the ground segment definition, design, development, verification and validation phases and actively supporting the contractors as required;
ensuring the coherence and compliance of the system performance with the mission requirements and the proper flow-down of the requirements by the contractors to the sub-system definition and specifications;
supervising the definition, design, implementation and validation of the Navigation Management Centre, focusing on the ODTS function, the generation and authentication of the navigation messages, the archiving and retrospective computation of navigation products, the analysis and monitoring of payload data and PVT post-processing and performance monitoring, as well as the two-way Navigation Facility;
supervising the definition, design, implementation and validation of the Service Management Centre, focusing on real-time and non-real-time services, service availability and performance prediction;
ensuring system end-to-end navigation performance by actively monitoring related mission performance analyses and the development of related tools, for example end-to-end simulators, by the contractors;
monitoring the work of the LCNS NAV mission contractors and actively supporting the progress in development;
ensuring close coordination and support with other project functions, such as LCNS system- and segment-level reviews and PA&S and security activities;
supporting the organisation and execution of project reviews.
Other more general tasks and responsibilities will include:
providing expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects, programmes and general studies in the field of navigation throughout all project phases;
participating in feasibility studies, project reviews and the 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.
Technical competencies
General background and specific experience in the technical domains covered by the position
Solid experience in the management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in reviews
Experience with the development and procurement of software-intensive ground systems such as mission operations, network operations and management, and navigation management
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
For more information, please refer to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook.
Education
A master’s degree in telecommunications engineering, navigation, computer science or aerospace is required for this post.
Additional requirements
A very solid background and experience is required in several of the following fields:
Technologies and sub-system architecture relating to the ground segments of complex satellite systems;
Precise orbit determination and timing synchronisation techniques for navigation systems;
Global navigation systems, for example Galileo, GNSS signals, and the associated receiver technologies and standards.
Expertise and professional experience in lunar and extra-terrestrial positioning, navigation and timing, including systems, techniques and algorithms for navigation to the Moon and on the Moon, as well as ODTS techniques for Moon navigation, will be considered an asset.
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
In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level.
Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations & security clearance by their national security administrations.
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.
Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.
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 are only 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, the United Kingdom and Canada, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.
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 first be given to internal candidates and secondly 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.
