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ground segment system engineer
job requisition id: 19607
date posted: 5 june 2025
closing date: 26 june 2025 23:59 cet/cest
publication: internal & external
type of contract: permanent
directorate: navigation
workplace:
oberpfaffenhofe, de
grade band: a2 - a4
location
estec, noordwijk, netherlands
with a resident assignment to oberpfaffenhofe, germany.
description
galileo ground segment system engineer in the galileo system exploitation unit, galileo system verification and deployment service, galileo project office, galileo and egnos programme department, directorate of navigation.
galileo teams at the european space research and technology centre (estec) in the netherlands are responsible for the design, development, procurement, integration and qualification of the galileo system, including the constellation of satellites in medium-earth orbit and the ground segment for mission, control and security monitoring deployed at remote sites all over the world.
duties
you will report to the head of the galileo system exploitation unit and functionally to the head of the galileo ground control segment management service and the head of the ground mission segment and ground segment security management service.
you will be responsible for the following activities taking place at the galileo control centre in oberpfaffenhofen, germany:
* coordinating the day-to-day ground segment and system ivq (integration, verification and qualification) and deployment activities;
* managing the on-site ivq and deployment planning through participation in the mid-term planning meetings and change control boards;
* ensuring implementation of ground segment interfaces with satellite manufacturing and satellite ait facilities;
* coordinating the various reviews, including psrs, trrs and trbs, organised by esa with its industrial contractors to perform the deployment and verification of the ground segment infrastructure to be installed, verified and operated at the control centres;
* managing esa-level deployment planning and documentation;
* managing on-site activities with the esa industrial contractors, the operations contractor and the hosting entity’s managers;
* following up the investigation and correction of incidents and anomalies during the critical deployment phases through attendance of the relevant boards either at segment level (internal) or resulting from system/ops activities (external), ensuring that critical issues are solved as a top priority;
* supporting the organisation and execution of the galileo system compatibility test campaign to ensure compatibility, before satellite launches, between the galileo ground sites and the galileo satellites;
* ensuring that the system in operations upgrades are evaluated against the system design and qualification scope through active participation in the maintenance release boards, and providing active feedback to the project to ensure that the operability improvements are properly considered in the future system releases;
* participating, as requested, in galileo-related reviews, including qrs and cdrs, and technical evaluation boards, in particular contributing to qualification reviews and system and operations reviews;
* contributing to esa procurement activities, for example preparing invitations to tender and evaluating proposals, for topics relating to ivq and deployment;
* taking responsibility (cic) for any crypto items delivered to the gcc and under esa custody.
in performing these duties, you are expected to interface closely with the various galileo project teams, the operations teams and the related industrial teams. Your duties may also include supporting other activities within your field of competence and the transfer of knowledge across the agency.
technical competencies
experience in the design, development, deployment and ivq of complex systems
management and monitoring of industrial activities, such as interfaces with industry and reviews
knowledge of large-scale, complex ground and space system architecture, including interfaces, networks and protocols
knowledge of esa space system development and verification
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 physics, electrical or aerospace engineering or a related field is required for this post.
additional requirements
at least five years’ experience in system-level testing, integration and deployments, including the organisation of test campaigns.
good knowledge of large-scale distributed ground segment infrastructure.
knowledge of gnss technology and infrastructure will be considered an asset.
you should be able to demonstrate that you can handle pressure and conflict as may typically occur in a project team. You should be results-oriented, able to set priorities, and capable of presenting practical solutions both orally and in writing.
you must be prepared to travel on a regular basis, as many of the activities will take place on operational sites or at the aiv factories.
you must be eligible for security clearance from your national security administration.
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 & 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, poland, portugal, romania, slovenia, spain, sweden, latvia, lithuania and slovakia.
when short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates.
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.
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