Job Description

Copernicus and DestinE EO Data Architect and AI Expert (2 posts)

Job Requisition ID: 20400

Date Posted: 16 March 2026

Closing Date: 6 April 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication: Internal & External

Type of Appointment: 4 years, extendable to indefinite

Directorate: Earth Observation Programmes

Workplace:

Frascati, IT

Grade Band: A2 - A4

This vacancy is published to recruit for either: an appointment of 4 years, extendable to an indefinite duration; or a fixed-term appointment with an initial duration of 4 years that depending on performance and organisational needs, may be extended up to a maximum total duration of 8 years.

Location
ESRIN, Frascati, Italy

Description

EO Data Architect and AI Expert in the Copernicus Ground Segment Systems Section - and -
EO Data Architect and AI Expert in the Ecosystem Development Section

within the Copernicus Ground Segment and Data Management Division, Earth Observation Mission Management and Ground Segment Department, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes.

ESA ensures the operational missions and data management of the Copernicus Sentinels missions, as well as the availability of an ever-increasing, high-quality data volume to a large user community.

ESA, with its partners and the European Earth observation (EO) and IT industries, is developing an ecosystem of Copernicus Sentinel and DestinE data management, analysis and modelling services to foster user exploitation activities as well as the growth of a sustainable industrial network of services. This development particularly relies on the optimisation of the data architecture to enable the efficient use of artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Duties

These positions combine EO domain knowledge (EO instruments, EO data, EO algorithms, modelling, etc.), AI/ML, data architect and geospatial skills.

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

driving and managing the definition and evolution of the Copernicus Sentinels and DestinE data architecture, enabling an optimised extraction of actionable information from Sentinels missions, climate-related data and associated geospatial datasets;
designing and specifying EO data pipelines that enable efficient collection, transformation, and access to Copernicus Sentinels and DestinE datasets for artificial intelligence and machine learning workflows (such as training or applying models on EO data) and managing their implementation through associated procurement activities;
contributing to the definition of the future Copernicus Sentinel missions’ EO data architecture and data processing algorithms and managing the associated procurement activities for their cloud- or HPC-based implementation;
supporting the operational Copernicus Sentinels missions and DestinE data management activities;
supporting the shaping and optimisation of the big EO data management architecture to enable the development of an ecosystem of innovative operational services for users;
supporting the definition of the Copernicus space component and DestinE system architecture evolutions and technical documentation baseline to integrate and operate the future Copernicus missions;
providing expertise on advanced analytics and leading initiatives to define, procure and manage implementation activities aimed at optimising the handling of EO data in cloud-based and HPC environments and, in particular, their usage for simulation, modelling and AI-related applications in the context of DestinE;
supporting the development of an ecosystem of Copernicus or DestinE data management and modelling services to foster user exploitation activities.

Technical competencies

Familiarity with satellite missions, sensors (e.g. Sentinels, optical/radar/hyperspectral sensors, etc.) and EO data processing algorithms

Knowledge of geospatial data formats, metadata and interoperability standards

Competence with spatial reference systems, projections, and coordinate transformations for EO data

Experience in scalable data architectures for big data frameworks, large multidimensional geospatial datasets and related cloud-native technologies

Competence with distributed computing frameworks (such as Apache Spark or Dask)

Expertise with AI/ML models, related techniques and applications, and EO data analytics

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 subject is required for this post.

Additional requirements

You should also:

demonstrate the ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary team and take responsible decisions as part of that team;
have a high level of self-motivation and autonomy;
have a strong ability to take an overall system view and propose solutions with a broader, strategic perspective;
demonstrate flexibility in dealing with day-to-day operational challenges.

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.

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.