Job Description

Lead Space Segment Engineer (3 positions)

Job Requisition ID: 20330

Date Posted: 20 February 2026

Closing Date: 13 March 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication: Internal & External

Type of Appointment: 4 years, extendable to indefinite

Directorate: Earth Observation Programmes

Workplace:

Noordwijk, NL

Grade Band: A2 - A4

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description

Lead Space Segment Engineer within the Earth Observation Projects Department, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes. You will be responsible for end-to-end space segment engineering and industrial oversight, ensuring coherent specification, design, development, verification, launch preparation and in-orbit validation of spacecraft and associated equipment in compliance with technical, programmatic, cost and schedule requirements. Currently, we are looking for Lead Space Segment Engineers for three projects and missions in the Earth Observation Projects Department:

Sterna project:
Sterna is the operational follow-on to the Arctic Weather Satellite (AWS) and forms part of the EPS-Sterna programme implemented in cooperation with EUMETSAT. The programme’s objective is a constellation of 20 satellites deployed across three orbital planes to ensure long-term operational meteorological services. Within Sterna, the Lead Space Segment Engineer supports system design consolidation, the implementation of lessons learned from the AWS, and procurement activities, while ensuring coherence between platform and payload, including the management of space-to-ground interfaces.

CHIME mission:
CHIME (Copernicus Hyperspectral Imaging Mission for the Environment) provides hyperspectral imaging data to support environmental monitoring, agriculture and climate services within the Copernicus programme. Within CHIME, the Lead Space Segment Engineer is technically responsible for space segment engineering and AIV/AIT definition and implementation, and may act as Deputy to the Spacecraft and AIV Manager.

NGGM mission:
The Next Generation Gravity Mission (NGGM) is ESA’s contribution to the ESA-NASA MAGIC constellation, aiming to monitor Earth’s gravity field variations using laser interferometry and drag-free control systems. Within NGGM, the Lead Space Segment Engineer supports tasks related to design, development and verification of NGGM satellites within the area of expertise and may act as Deputy to the NGGM Spacecraft and AIV Manager.

Duties

Your main tasks and activities will include:

contributing to the management of industrial activities by leading or supporting the specification, design, procurement, development, integration, verification and acceptance of spacecraft, platform, payload and equipment hardware (including ground support equipment where applicable) throughout the project lifetime;
monitoring industrial progress and design evolution at spacecraft, platform and equipment levels, ensuring consistency with technical and programmatic requirements within the area of responsibility;
consolidating and maintaining internal and external satellite interfaces, including launcher interfaces;
ensuring traceability and coherence from system level to subsystem/equipment level and maintaining technical engineering budgets (mass, power, thermal, EMC, data, etc.);
monitoring and coordinating industrial verification activities, including resolution of non-conformances, anomalies, and support the assessment of deviations and waivers;
coordinating with the Product Assurance and AIT teams during integration and testing activities;
supporting preparation and implementation of major project reviews within the technical scope of your position;
supporting launch campaign preparation and implementation, as well as in-orbit commissioning and verification activities;
providing regular reporting, identifying technical risk areas, and proposing and monitoring mitigation measures;
contributing to schedule management and proposing schedule risk mitigation actions;
coordinating specialised engineering support from relevant ESA directorates and interfacing with external partners where applicable.

Your duties may also include supporting other activities within your field of competence within the Earth Observation Projects Department.

Technical competencies

Multidisciplinary technical knowledge and experience in space segment engineering, including related PA standards

Knowledge and experience in spacecraft design, development, integration and verification

Experience in managing and monitoring industrial activities in ESA project environments

Knowledge of ESA development, verification and procurement processes

Experience in complex project schedule and risk management processes

Relevant experience in the technical domain specific to the project

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 engineering discipline is required for this post.

Additional requirements

You have proven experience of working in a team within a project and have experience of coordinating cross-disciplinary topics.
You are able to support others (team members, management, other stakeholders) in decision-making processes and take responsibility.

Sterna project:
Experience in multi-satellite production and related changes (e.g. storage, configuration control, verification activities, etc).
Experience working on a multi-agency cooperative programme.
Strong space-to-ground interface management experience.
Experience with operational satellite programmes and recurrent production.
Strong requirements management and verification control documentation experience.

CHIME mission:
Strong experience in AIV/AIT definition and implementation.
Experience in autonomy and FDIR concepts.
Experience in supporting ground segment integration and operational validation.
Ability to act as Deputy to the Spacecraft and AIV Manager.
Experience in recurrent satellite production.

NGGM mission:
Experience in highly complex science missions.
Experience in managing Phase B2/C/D/E industrial activities.
Familiarity with MBSE methodologies.

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.

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.