Young Graduate Trainee for GNSS Evolutions Satellite Navigation R&D Engineering

Many sectors of the European economy rely on precise Positioning, Navigation & Timing (PNT). The market for satellite navigation services is expected to be worth several hundred billion euros per year over the next years and a significant part of the economy is dependent on the availability of global navigation satellite signals. This includes transport, logistics, telecommunications and energy. Major socio-economic benefits are expected to be delivered by European Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), namely, Galileo and EGNOS – including direct revenues for the space, receivers, and applications industries, and indirect revenues for society at large such as more effective transport systems, rescue operations, etc. They also provide technological independence and generate related technological benefits for research, development and innovation.

The Galileo programme is EU funded and owned. ESA is entrusted with Galileo's deployment, design and the development of the new generation of systems and technical development of the infrastructure.

The GNSS Evolutions Programme & Strategy Division in the Department of Strategy & Programmes in the Directorate of Navigation is responsible for defining, consolidating and implementing innovative technology and supporting research & development for the next generations of European GNSS.

Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA and ESA Navigation websites

http://www.esa.int/ESA

http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Navigation

As a YGT, you will directly contribute to the future of satellite navigation R&D in Europe, through the assessment of innovative technologies for the European GNSS/RNSS systems of the future.

The activities will address aspects from specific technological proof-of-concept up to end-to-end engineering for the specific technologies under assessment, giving you the opportunity to gain insights into specialised topics while also maintaining an overall space system perspective.

Topics may cover one of the following:

• satellite navigation payload technology and advanced concepts (on-board atomic clocks and timing subsystem, signal generation and digital signal processing, RF section (amplification, filtering and antenna), in-orbit flexibility, advanced manufacturing, photonics);
• search-and-rescue advanced concepts;
• communications: tracking telemetry & command, ground-to-space links, inter-satellite links, RF and optical links.
• on-board orbit determination and time synchronisation;
• model-based system engineering (MBSE) for complex systems;
• other instruments/payloads supporting navigation and related scientific use (advanced laser retro-reflectors, VLBI transmitters, radiation and other space environment/space weather instruments, on-board accelerometers);
• advanced concepts for robust and secure positioning and timing/synchronisation including hybridisation/integration with other PNT systems (LEO-PNT, terrestrial systems including 5G communications network terrestrial technologies, terrestrial beacon systems, sensors, etc.) considering critical applications such as autonomous vehicles, factories of the future, communication networks, energy sector, etc.;
• disruptive concepts for satellite navigation in space, including ones at different orbits (e.g. highly elliptical, inclined geosynchronous, low Earth, high altitude pseudo-satellite), concepts and novel technologies leading to different capabilities (e.g. ranging-only services, message communication services), e.g. based on quantum communications, neutrino communications, advanced inertial sensors including gravity/magnetic field sensors, pulsar navigation, use of alternative frequency bands, etc.

You should have just completed, or be in the final year of a university course at Master's level (or equivalent) in Aerospace Engineering, Telecommunication Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics or other relevant technical or scientific discipline.

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.　

You should demonstrate good interpersonal skills and the capacity to work both independently and as part of a team. 　

During the interview your motivation and overall professional perspective/career goals will also be explored.