TT&C Engineer
European Space Agency
Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Description
TT&C Engineer in the Payload, TT&C and Digital Architecture Section, Radio Frequency Payloads and Technology Division, Electrical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.
The Section covers the specification, design, development and verification/testing of:
- telecommunication payloads and subsystems, microwave and millimetre-wave remote sensing instruments, and navigation payloads exploiting analogue, digital and optical onboard technologies;
- telemetry, tracking and control (TT&C) subsystems, payload data transmission (PDT) subsystems, including deep space and near-Earth transponders, proximity and intersatellite (ISL) link equipment, high-speed downlink modulators and digital communication equipment (hereinafter referred to as “TT&C/PDT subsystems”);
- radio frequency digital equipment for telecommunication/navigation payloads, radio frequency/microwave and millimetre-wave remote sensing instruments and radio frequency subsystems, such as TT&C, PDT and ISL, as well as payload signal and data processing techniques.
Duties
Reporting to the Head of Section and within the technical fields described above, your main tasks and responsibilities will include:
- providing expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects, programmes and general studies in the field of TT&C and PDT subsystems, including their associated EGSE and related equipment, such as receivers, transmitters and transponders, throughout all project phases;
- contributing to the definition, specification, development and verification of future TT&C and PDT subsystems and associated EGSE and equipment, and design and implementation of associated functions and techniques within the TT&C/PDT subsystem;
- assessing new concepts, architectures, technologies and techniques to be applied to the next generation of TT&C and PDT subsystems;
- defining technological requirements and generation of specifications, from the subsystem to the equipment and the antenna;
- 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 in the field of TT&C and PDT subsystems;
- 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;
- monitoring applicable scientific and technological trends and maintaining state-of-the-art expertise;
- contributing to the dissemination of the results of the activities performed and the transfer of knowledge across the Agency;
- development of simulation tools and associated paradigms in support of the design, development and performance evaluation of TT&C and PDT subsystems;
- implementation of laboratory activities associated with the testing, characterisation and performance assessment of TT&C and PDT subsystems;
- supervising students and trainees for the analysis, simulation and development of advanced concepts in the technical field of the Section.
Your duties may also include supporting other activities within your field of competence.
Depending on your level of technical experience, you may also take on a coordination role in relation to a specific aspect of TT&C/PDT subsystems.
Technical competencies
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
A master’s degree in telecommunications, electronics or RF/microwave engineering is required for this post.
Additional requirements
Very good understanding of TT&C and PDT subsystems for space applications, such as navigation, telecommunications and Earth observation, including functionality, architecture and key performance parameter specification and evaluation.
Experience with the design, development and verification of TT&C and PDT subsystems for space applications.
Very good knowledge of modern computer systems, simulation and modelling tools, programming languages and signal processing techniques and technologies.
Several years of professional experience in the relevant technical domains 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, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.
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 & eligible to acquire the 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, staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the 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.