Job Description

NAVISP Technology Innovation Engineer

Job Requisition ID: 20383

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: Navigation

Workplace:

Noordwijk, NL

Grade Band: A2 - A4

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description

Initiated in 2017, the NAVISP programme has been operational for almost nine years. In that time, it has become a key enabler for innovation and competitiveness in the Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) domain, with more than 300 activities funded with European and Canadian industry and academia in all sectors of the PNT value chain, from upstream to downstream.

NAVISP is implemented through three programmatic elements: Element 1 supporting PNT innovation, Element 2 supporting industrial PNT competitiveness, and Element 3 supporting national and institutional PNT activities.

Technologies, products and services in the field of PNT are deeply embedded in the functioning of modern society. From time-stamping of banking transactions worldwide to landing aircraft, PNT permeates many aspects of life. Satellite navigation is the most successful PNT technology today, but other complementary technologies, such as inertial navigation systems, help to achieve the performance required from its application.
As part of the NAVISP programme core team, reporting to the NAVISP Element 1 Manager, you will define, implement and monitor innovative activities in the field of navigation systems, technologies, algorithms and techniques in cooperation with European industry, universities and research centres and institutional stakeholders, drawing on the expertise of other ESA directorates.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

scouting for and exploring innovative and promising PNT technologies, products and services by analysing journal articles, conference proceedings and patents and by staying up to date with technology providers in the field;
supporting the identification and evaluation of disruptive technologies, such as quantum sensing, AI/ML techniques, photonics, modern cellular positioning signals and advanced satellite payload architectures, relevant to future PNT systems;
defining feasibility studies and trade-off assessments to explore novel concepts and system architectures for future PNT applications;
defining proofs of concept for promising products and services with the potential to become future pre-commercial Element 2 or institutional Element 3 proposals;
together with the relevant Contract Officer, preparing and organising the ensuing invitations to tender and executing the awarded contracts with industrial and academic contractors, overseeing the achievement of performance within the allocated time and budget;
monitoring the contracted activities in Element 1 allocated to other ESA directorates;
supporting the technical coordination between the NAVISP programme and other programmes and directorates across ESA, especially in respect of the technology roadmaps relevant to PNT;
supporting the assessment of PNT innovation results across the entire NAVISP programme portfolio and proposing follow-ons, which may be in the form of inputs to Element 1 workplans, calls for proposals for Element 2 or recommendations for national PNT strategies under Element 3;
contributing to the preparation of internal reports, presentations and executive summaries for decision-makers and stakeholders.

Technical competencies

Good understanding of GNSS systems and PNT systems beyond satellite navigation, for example terrestrial navigation systems or non-GNSS payloads for PNT

Good knowledge and understanding of PNT technologies, R&D trends and the global industrial and academic landscape

Knowledge of the end-to-end global PNT value chain for different market segments, including the major stakeholders

Knowledge of PNT resilience paradigms such as Protect, Toughen and Augment and Prepare, Act and Recover

Experience in procurement activities for technology developments

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 domain is required for this post.

Additional requirements

experience of working with satellite navigation in particular and PNT in general;
strong technical, analytical, organisational, and reporting skills, with a proactive attitude to solving problems;
ability to set priorities and present practical solutions both orally and in writing;
good interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team;
understanding of the ESA procurement process;
knowledge of Microsoft 365 tools, process design and automation tools.

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.