Earth Observation Future Missions Optical Payload Engineer - Emerging Sensing Technologies

In the Optical Instruments Section, Future Missions and Instruments Division, Future Missions and Architecture Department, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes, you will work as an Earth Observation (EO) Future Missions Optical Payload Engineer focusing on Emerging Sensing Technologies.

Reporting to the Head of the Optical Instruments Section, you will be responsible for the end-to-end definition, engineering, technology breadboarding and pre-development of innovative optical payload systems for EO future missions. These systems will leverage emerging sensing technologies, such as quantum sensors (Rydberg receivers, NV diamond sensors, etc.) and photonic sensors. You will also work on optical payloads based on more classical optical systems, including imagers and spectrometers. Your role will involve collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure the successful integration of innovative technologies into future payload concepts.

You will be responsible for identifying and investigating new observation principles and technologies, maintaining awareness of relevant R&D activities, and coordinating with both internal and external partners. You will contribute to defining the roadmap for these technologies and will be actively involved in the pre-development of one or more of them. You will be appointed as the instrument officer for a future mission during Phase 0 or Phase A.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• Identifying and investigating new observation principles, techniques and technologies related to emerging sensing technologies for Earth observation (EO) future missions in coordination with staff in this Department, the Science, Applications and Climate Department and the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality, including interfacing with research and technical groups.
• Maintaining knowledge of relevant emerging sensing technology and sensor development programmes inside and outside ESA, including developments undertaken by other space agencies in Europe and worldwide, as well as commercial initiatives in close collaboration with the Division’s Technology Coordination and Frequency Management Section.
• Maintaining awareness of relevant emerging sensing technology R&D and coordinating with other ESA directorates.
• Defining and assessing the performance and technological readiness of new emerging sensing payloads and systems in close collaboration with the EO system engineers of the Division’s Mission and System Studies Section, taking into account mission, system and programmatic objectives and requirements.
• Defining, negotiating, initiating and managing industrial contracts for the study and risk retirement of new emerging sensing payload systems, according to the agreed FutureEO activity plan.
• Performing risk retirement activities through the technology breadboarding and pre-development of emerging sensors for EO future missions up to their completion, coordinating instrument pre-development activities with project teams when required.
• Developing ground-based or airborne instrument models, according to the concepts’ maturity and performance-demonstration needs.
• Serving as the optical instrument officer for EO future missions in Phase 0 or Phase A.
• Acting as the focal point in the Division for all quantum and photonics sensing aspects of missions undergoing evaluation or preparation, including for the evaluation of mission proposals, providing payload system support to Phase 0/A and mission architecture studies, and contributing to the preparation of technical and scientific dossiers on new EO research and operational missions.
• Contributing to the implementation of the EO Quantum Sensing Strategy and roadmap within the FutureEO programme as well as preparing work/action plans for the development of the strategy.
• Contributing to the development and maintenance of technology roadmaps for other emerging sensors as well as preparing work/action plans for their development.

You will work closely with other staff from the Future Missions and Instruments Division and the Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes. You will also liaise with the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality as well as with other directorates involved in quantum, photonic and future emerging sensor activities. In this context, you will also be expected to help the team through collaboration, knowledge sharing and domain-specific training.

Technical competencies

• Knowledge of spaceborne optical instruments for Earth observation missions
• Experience in optical instrument developments and performance calculations
• Knowledge of optical remote sensing techniques and understanding of Earth observation user needs
• Knowledge and experience in the domain of quantum, photonics and emerging sensing technologies
• Knowledge of innovation-related processes

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

A master’s degree or a PhD in engineering or physics is required for this post.

Additional requirements

• At least five years of relevant experience in the preparation and development of space optical instruments.
• Experience in innovative optical sensing technologies such as quantum or photonics sensor is required.
• Experience in working in a team or project environment is required.
• Strong motivation for investigating new sensing concepts involving emerging technologies is required.
• You should have good interpersonal skills and be able to work, coordinate and interact within small teams as well as autonomously.
• You should be able to coordinate and iterate with Earth observation scientists and users for the definition of mission needs and requirements.
• You will be expected to contribute to a dynamic and creative environment in preparatory phases of EO missions.
• Experience in the development of mission and instrument performance analysis models/tools for EO optical instruments would be an asset.

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.

Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.

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.

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.

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.