Earth Observation Technology Engineer

Earth Observation Technology Engineer in the Future Missions and Instruments Division of the Future Systems Department, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes (D/EOP).

The holder of this post will report to the Head of the Technology Coordination and Frequency Management Section.  In the execution of the tasks, the holder of this post will work in close cooperation with other staff of the Future Missions and Instruments Division, of the Future Systems Department, of the Projects Department and of the Mission Management and Ground Segment Department. The incumbent will also liaise with the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality (D/TEC).

The duties include the responsibility for the following tasks related to Earth Observation (EO) technology:

• identifying technology needs, based on system requirements and general technology trends, for future EO missions and programmes, covering the whole spectrum (optical and RF instruments, other measurements techniques, as well as platform and ground segment related technologies)
• contributing to the establishment of the EO strategy on technology development coordination
• contributing to the EO technology observatory function outside the EOP Directorate (e.g. in TIA or SCI), and also outside ESA (e.g. other space agencies in Europe and worldwide, commercial initiatives such as those under New Space, and the potential spin-in from other industrial sectors)
• defining, initiating and managing technology development activities for the preparation of EO missions in coordination with other sections of the Division and with other staff of the Directorate and with D/TEC and D/OPS, in particular for platform,  ground segment and small satellites
• supporting missions under preparation through, e.g.  participation to reviews, assessment of industrial results, evaluation of proposals in reply to Calls
• maintaining and improving the Earth Observation technology database, including the EO Mission Concepts Compendium (MCC)
• monitoring and reporting the evolution of EO-relevant technologies through  internal studies and follow up of industrial activities, within ESA and with Member States (e.g. through dedicated information days).

The holder of this post will also support the Section in the following tasks related to frequency management and radio frequency interference mitigation:

• analysing requirements, constraints and potential conflicts of EO missions under preparation, including early concepts
• contributing to the monitoring of the evolution of frequency needs of future EO missions

In the execution of these tasks, the holder of the post will have close contacts with representatives of industry and of other space agencies.

Applicants should have a Master’s or PhD degree in an engineering discipline or in applied physics, with relevant background and at least 5 years experience in space technology development.

Candidates are expected to be able to contribute to a dynamic and creative environment in preparatory phases of EO missions. They should have good interpersonal skills and be able to work and interact within small teams as well as autonomously. Experience in working in team/project environment is desirable.

Experience in spaceborne platform technologies, signal processing and familiarity with EO remote sensing techniques is an asset.

Candidates should be thorough in their approach and open to innovation, should be able to work independently and have good communication skills.