Job Description

Space Segment Systems Engineer

Job Requisition ID: 20367

Date Posted: 19 March 2026

Closing Date: 9 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

Space Segment Systems Engineer in the Space Systems Section, Space Segment Systems Engineering Division, Systems Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

The Space Segment Systems Engineering Section is responsible for providing advice and support to projects in the domain of space segment systems engineering. In particular, it provides support to:

space segment system activities, relating to platforms, rovers and landers, for example, covering, among others, system design, trading and evaluation, requirements management, including traceability, consistency, flowdown to subsystem/unit level and internal/external interfaces, VCD, system budgets, coordination of verification
activities, support to FDIR definition and system mode management;
the operations concept, as well as the launch and in-flight commissioning;
the implementation of space sustainability practices and policies;
interdisciplinary and cross-cutting initiatives;
the development of future space platforms;
project tender evaluation boards and reviews;
concurrent Design Faciliity (CDF) studies relating to the systems engineering domain.

Duties

Space Segment Systems Engineer in the Space Systems Section, Space Segment Systems Engineering Division, Systems Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

identifying and controlling system drivers for design, evaluation and trading and supporting project management in the evaluation of system design trade-off studies,
where needed, to ensure consistency of the requirements, design and performance with system-level needs;
reviewing the consistency and flowdown of the requirements from space segment system level to subsystem and unit level and internal and external interfaces, while
ensuring traceability and coherence with mission requirements and technical and programmatic constraints;
reviewing and maintaining the requirements database and the VCD;
supporting the consolidation and maintenance of all system budgets throughout the project life cycle to ensure compliance with system requirements;
supporting the coordination of verification activities to ensure proper verification at mission/ground level, including resolving non-conformances and supporting the assessment of deviations and waivers;
maintaining, updating and controlling the space segment system interfaces to the ground segment elements involved in processing the provided data;
when requested, contributing to/supporting the operations concept and supporting the FDIR definition;
providing regular reporting to project management and identifying technological and performance risk areas, proposing and implementing agreed improvements and
mitigation measures, and supporting the management of the industrial activities relevant to systems engineering and procurement;
coordinating various project engineering domains in support of the systems engineering function, and supporting implementation of model-based system engineering (MBSE);
interfacing with operations, the ground segment and, when required, the end-to-end system;
preparing for launch and supporting in-flight commissioning and verification activities in collaboration with project and ground teams;
supporting the implementation of the Zero Debris Policy;
participating in CDF studies as Systems Engineer as required;
as required and in line with anticipated technology trends and project needs, defining, promoting and implementing the Section’s contributions to ESA technology programmes and R&D activities.

Technical competencies

Space Systems Engineering in both early and later phases

System Requirements Engineering, Flowdown & Verification

Management of interfaces and system-level technical budgets

Preparation of satellite operation, commissioning and in-orbit verification

Procurement, management and monitoring of industrial activities

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 space engineering or another relevant domain is required for this post.

Additional requirements

At least seven years of relevant professional experience.

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.