Job Description

Power System Architect

Job Requisition ID: 20421

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

Power System Architect in the Power Systems Architecture Section, Power Systems, EMC and Space Environments Division, Electrical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

The Power Systems Architecture Section provides functional support to ESA projects and carries out technological research (R&D) in the fields of power management and distribution for space applications, both primary or secondary, platform or payload. In particular, the Section covers power system design, power and energy budget assessment, power conditioning and distribution design and technology, analogue electronics for power systems, control of power systems, digital control of power systems, sensing techniques and high-voltage technology and design. Within this domain of competence, the Section is responsible for:

defining, promoting and implementing, in line with anticipated technology trends and project needs, the Section’s contributions to ESA technology programmes and R&D activities;
coordinating, where applicable, the requirements of technology elements in the Section’s domain of competence with the overall requirements of systems being developed under the responsibility of other D/TEC areas;
maintaining state-of-the-art expertise, through the execution of the yearly plan for technical assessment and related hands-on activities, by keeping roadmaps up to date and driving the periodic harmonisation exercise in the Section’s domain of expertise, as well as by driving selected technology activities of specific importance for the Section or the Division and supporting the definition of European standards relating to the Section’s domain of competence;
ensuring the development, maintenance and evolution of the engineering tools used by the Division in support of its duties;
coordinating the Section’s laboratory activities with the Energy Storage and Power Laboratory Section in order to optimise the support provided by the laboratory team and to ensure proper prioritisation of tasks;
participating in the early-phase design of power systems for future space missions.

Duties

Reporting to the Head of Section and within the technical fields described above, your main tasks and responsibilities will include:

providing expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects, programmes and general studies in the fields of power management and distribution throughout all project phases;
participating in feasibility studies, project reviews and the evaluation of procurement proposals;
identifying critical development problems and assisting in their resolution;
contributing to the definition of technology development requirements and work plans for the Agency’s technology programmes;
defining, initiating and managing R&D activities covering both long- and short-term needs;
fostering new application areas for multidisciplinary activities, placing emphasis on innovative concepts, cutting-edge technologies and system architectures;
laboratory activities as required;
monitoring applicable scientific and technological trends and maintaining state-of-the-art expertise;
contributing to the dissemination of the results of the activities performed and the transfer of knowledge across the Agency.

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

Technical competencies

General background and specific experience in the technical domains covered by the position

Hands-on hardware experience

Project support experience in a relevant domain

Spacecraft systems knowledge

Hands-on laboratory experience

Experience in the preparation of procurement activities for technology development and innovation, such as statements of work and proposal evaluation

Experience in the management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in reviews

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking

For more information, please refer to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook.

Education

A master’s degree in electrical engineering, or a similar qualification, is required for this post.
A PhD in a relevant domain will be considered an asset.

Additional requirements

Experience in the design of power systems at early-phase stages of space missions and the use of relevant tools
Experience in power system analysis, including power and energy budget assessment
Experience in DC/DC converter design and verification
Experience in power converter control
Experience in digital control and FPGA programming
Experience in the use of GaN and SiC switches for power conversion
Experience in the use of electrical simulation tools and the modelling of power conversion circuits and systems
Knowledge of secondary power system analysis and verification
Knowledge of distribution system analysis and verification
Knowledge of power processing units for propulsion systems
Knowledge of power systems for smallsats

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.