Job Description

System AIV Engineer

Job Requisition ID: 20366

Date Posted: 11 March 2026

Closing Date: 1 April 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication: Internal & External

Type of Appointment: 4 years, extendable to indefinite

Directorate: Technology, Engineering and Quality

Workplace:

Noordwijk, NL

Grade Band: A2 - A4

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description

System AIV Engineer in the Space Segment AIV/AIT Engineering Section (TEC-SYA), Space Segment Systems Engineering Division, Systems Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

You will work within the Space Segment AIV/AIT Engineering Section, a group of more than 30 highly motivated experts providing support to ESA projects in the AIV and programmatic domains.

The Section provides technical advice and support to projects in the area of system verification, from early phases to environmental testing and launch campaigns. The team’s expertise covers the thermo-mechanical, electrical-functional and system AIV engineering domains.

You will provide functional support to the assigned ESA project as System AIV Engineer. Upon its completion, you will be reassigned to another project within the Agency. Support to Concurrent Design Facility (CDF) studies and technological R&D will also be requested as an ancillary assignment from the Section side.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities as a TEC-SYA team member will include:

providing expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects, programmes and general studies with respect to the AIV, AIT and programmatic domains throughout the project lifetime;
supporting the definition and implementation of a satellite verification programme, taking into account technical and programmatic requirements, adequacy of the models’ philosophy and suitability of integration and test facilities;
proactively monitoring the satellite AIT activities and the industrial procurement activities relating to spacecraft, ground support equipment and test facilities within the assigned project(s);
supporting the preparation, organisation and execution of thermo-mechanical and electrical-functional test campaigns at satellite system and subsystem levels;
supporting the preparation, organisation and execution of the launch campaign;
in the early phases of a project, defining and consolidating consistent AIV/AIT requirements relating to satellite AIV/AIT phases, following up their implementation and flowdown to system, subsystem and equipment levels, including support to VCD recurrent reviews;
supporting project reviews and the evaluation of procurement proposals;
participating in the development of engineering standards;
supporting the definition of new ESA missions and feasibility studies in the CDF;
contributing to the dissemination of the results of the activities performed and the transfer of knowledge within the Section and across the Agency.

Your duties may also include support to other activities within your field of competence.

Technical competencies

Specific experience in assembly, integration, verification and testing of complex space systems, including active participation in project integration and test phases

Comprehensive multi-disciplinary knowledge and experience in satellite design and development

Experience in organising and supporting satellite-related industrial activities, including AIV schedule assessment, risk monitoring and participation in project reviews

Hands-on experience with satellite-related flight and ground support hardware

Knowledge of ECSS 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 aerospace engineering or another relevant scientific discipline is required for this position.

Additional requirements

Solid experience with satellite verification activities, including functional verification and/or environmental testing. Active participation in at least one complete satellite test campaign is considered mandatory; support to at least one complete launch campaign in an AIT/AIV role will be considered an asset.
Strong analytical skills and the ability to solve complex problems.
Ability to proactively engage and coordinate a diverse range of internal technical experts and to work with external partners, such as scientific institutes/industry, while considering programmatic constraints.
Ability to anticipate problems and propose solutions, bearing the overall goals of the project and the Section in mind.
Flexibility in dealing with day-to-day operational challenges while demonstrating strong planning and organisational skills.
Availability to support missions abroad in the framework of project support.
A high level of motivation, dedication and ownership, with a proactive approach.
Ability to work independently while providing your line manager with regular feedback and asking for support where necessary.
Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, with the ability to present complex technical issues clearly and convincingly.

Basic knowledge of other engineering areas will be considered an asset.
Experience in requirements engineering tools will be considered an 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 & 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, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.

According to the ESA Convention, staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the 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.