Job Description

Lead Space Segment Engineer (2 Posts)

Job Requisition ID: 20285

Date Posted: 30 January 2026

Closing Date: 20 February 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication: Internal & External

Type of Appointment: 4 years, extendable to indefinite

Directorate: Human and Robotic Exploration

Workplace:

Noordwijk, NL Porz-Wahn, DE

Grade Band: A2 - A4

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands or EAC, Porz-Wahn, Germany

Description

The Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration (D/HRE) is a programme directorate within the ESA matrix structure. Through a partnership between humans and robots, the Directorate is dedicated to exploring destinations in space where humans are already living and working – or will live and work in the future – for the purpose of scientific research, economic development, international cooperation and public inspiration.

The Leo Cargo Return Service (LCRS) Team manages two industrial contracts aimed at developing a cargo resupply vehicle that will fly to the International Space Station by 2029. The Team provides support and expertise to the contractors and monitors the progress of the companies through appropriate reviews, in many cases with the participation of NASA. So far during Phase 1 of LCRS (May 2024–May 2026), contracts have been awarded to The Exploration Company and Thales Alenia Space (Italy). Part of the LCRS Core Team is based at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC), while the rest of the Core Team and the wider support team from the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality (D/TEC) is based at ESTEC.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

leading the technical elements of the service development of LCRS, including supervision of the specification, design, development and verification/acceptance of spacecraft, platform and equipment hardware throughout the project lifetime;
working with the LCRS Project Manager and System Engineer to coordinate the technical activities of the LCRS Team and the team of specialised engineering support from D/TEC and the Directorate of Operations (D/OPS);
challenging the design and specification of the spacecraft during development to ensure an acceptable balance between industrial commercial viability, schedule and risk;
monitoring and contributing to the industrial roadmap for design evolution at spacecraft, platform and equipment levels, ensuring it remains consistent with the technical and programmatic requirements;
monitoring industrial verification activities to ensure proper verification, including the resolution of non-conformances, and supporting the assessment of deviations and waivers;
monitoring the elements of the verification and certification by NASA of the spacecraft relating to docking to the ISS;
coordinating with the System Engineer, PA and AIT during integration and testing activities for the resolution of activity deviations;
contributing to the autonomy and operability concept and supporting the FDIR definition when requested;
providing regular reporting to project management and identifying technical risk areas, proposing and monitoring mitigation measures;
contributing to the management of the schedule and proposing schedule risk mitigation actions;
monitoring the industrial preparation for launch and coordinating in-flight, re-entry and splashdown spacecraft commissioning and verification activities in collaboration with project and ground teams;
cooperating actively with the System Engineer, ensuring efficient sharing of workload and responsibilities compatible with technical knowledge and skillsets.

Technical competencies

General background in the design, development, assembly, integration, testing and acceptance of systems for space flight applications

Understanding of other technical domains with interfaces to your area of responsibility

Understanding of space system development and qualification

General knowledge of space engineering standards and PA standards

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 a relevant domain is required for this post.

Additional requirements

Proven capability in risk, schedule and team management is considered a further asset.

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.