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Navigation Systems Evolution Engineer

European Space Agency - ESA
Noordwijk, NL, The Netherlandsfull_timeVerifiedPosted 24 Jun 2025

About the role

 

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands  

Description

Navigation Systems Evolution Engineer in the Navigation Systems Definition Section, End to end Systems Division, Systems Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.
 
The Navigation Systems Definition Section leads or provides support to the Agency’s activities that require expertise in the field of positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) and geolocation systems definition, design and development. 

 

The PNT and geolocation domain covers the end-to-end (E2E) engineering of PNT and geolocation systems at system, space, ground and user segment level, including links, elements, equipment, system concepts and all related techniques and technologies for Earth, space and Solar System applications, system/segment/payload system architectures and performance, signal-in-space and signal processing, GNSS receivers, algorithms, OD&TS, formation-flying and radio frequency/optical metrology.

Duties

You will report to the Head of the Navigation Systems Definition Section and, in the technical fields above, your main tasks and responsibilities will include:

 

  • contributing and providing expert technical support to ESA projects, programmes and general studies in PNT and geolocation for Earth and space applications, throughout all project phases, with a focus on the definition, design and development phases;
  • contributing, leading and/or providing expert technical support to the definition, design and development of PNT system evolutions (e.g. Galileo 2nd Generation or LEO-PNT) both for non-PRS and PRS services, including multilayer systems and related technologies, and covering end-to-end system, architecture, signal,
  • performance, receiver, algorithms and payload system architecture aspects, among others;
  • contributing, leading and/or providing expert technical support to the definition, design and development of multidomain (PNT, Earth observation, telecommunications)
  • resilience and governmental satellite systems, techniques and technologies;
  • participating in and/or leading feasibility studies, project reviews and the evaluation of procurement proposals;
  • defining and performing internal R&D activities within the Section’s field of competence, and initiating and managing R&D activities covering both long- and short-term needs;
  • contributing to the definition of technology development requirements and work plans for the Agency’s technology programmes;
  • fostering new application areas for multidisciplinary activities, with the emphasis on innovative concepts, cutting-edge technologies and system architectures;
  • defining, initiating, implementing and/or managing laboratory activities as required;
  • monitoring applicable scientific and technology trends and maintaining state-of-the-art expertise;
  • contributing to the dissemination of the results of activities performed and the transfer of knowledge across the Agency.

 

Your duties may also include supporting and/or leading other activities within your field of competence and the transfer of knowledge across the Agency.

Technical competencies

General background and specific experience in the technical domains covered by the positionUnderstanding of related technologies, R&D trends and the industrial landscapeProject support experience in a relevant domainExperience with laboratory or field testing of relevant technical equipment Experience in the management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in reviews

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 similar is required for this post.

Additional requirements

You have experience working in international and multidisciplinary environments.

You have solid expertise and several years of professional experience in several of the following areas:

 

  • GNSS/Galileo system, architecture, signals, performance and receiver technologies;
  • Galileo PRS system/signal design, related receiver technologies, and performances;
  • Galileo authentication system/signal design, related receiver technologies, and performances;
  • LEO-PNT systems, signals, receivers and performance;
  • Governmental, telecoms and/or EO/SAR satellite systems, and related technologies

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Company

European Space Agency - ESA

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