Ground Station Engineer

Location
ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany

Description

Ground Station Engineer in the Station Subsystems and Configuration Control Section (OPS-GSS), reporting to the Head of Section, Ground Station Engineering Division, Ground Systems Engineering and Innovation Department, Directorate of Operations.

The Station Subsystems and Configuration Control Section is responsible for the development, evolution and sustaining of critical equipment and systems within the ESA tracking (ESTRACK) ground stations. The systems covered by the Section range from the cryo-cooled feed and frequency converters to the modem and also include the frequency and timing (including masers) and amplifier domains. The activities of the Section involve the design and deployment of the aforementioned systems, research and development of novel concepts for space communications and their adaptation for future satellite communications with ESA satellite missions.

The Section also provides engineering matrix support to ESA programmes and leads the design, development and deployment of ESA’s new All Digital Ground Station (ADIG) concept to ESTRACK.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• specification and development of space communication technologies required to support ESA and third-party missions and improve ground station performance;
• project management for development and deployment of innovative space communication systems in ground stations in support of future missions (seamless chain of innovation);
• provision of engineering matrix support in your domain of expertise to ESA programmes and third-party missions;
• provision of engineering support to the operations of ESTRACK;
• management of research and development activities, covering new innovations for ESA’s ground stations;
• establishment of specifications for the custom development and/or commercial off the shelf (COTS) procurement of radio frequency (RF) and telecommunications equipment, such as frequency converters, feeds, amplifiers and modems, needed for ESA ground stations;
• specification of related equipment, drafting of statements of work and monitoring of industrial development and procurement contracts for ground station subsystems, including management of their deployment and integration into the ground stations;
• high-speed sampler and ADC/DAC development for the All Digital Ground Station;
• responsibility for the cryo-cooled systems within ESTRACK and development and deployment of new generations of cryo-cooled systems;
• simulation of RF and telecommunication systems and subsystems performance;
• definition and conducting of tests aimed at verifying performance and functionalities at industry's premises, in ESA laboratories and in ESA ground stations;
• contributions to standardisation and harmonisation activities in your domain of expertise;
• specification and supervision of industrial service contracts for related services.

Technical competencies

RF and optical engineering, including sampling, frequency converters & cryo-feed technologiesCommunications engineeringFPGA and hardware designSoftware engineering

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 communication, electrical engineering or an equivalent field is required for this post.

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.

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.