TT&C Engineer

In this role as a TT&C Engineer in the Payload, TT&C and Digital Architecture Section (Radio Frequency Payloads and Technology Division, Electrical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality), you will contribute to the specification, design, development and verification/testing of:

• telecommunication payloads and subsystems, microwave and millimetre-wave remote sensing instruments, and navigation payloads exploiting analogue, digital and optical onboard technologies;
• telemetry, tracking and control (TT&C) subsystems, payload data transmission (PDT) subsystems, including deep space and near-Earth transponders, proximity and intersatellite (ISL) link equipment, high-speed downlink modulators and digital communication equipment (hereinafter referred to as “TT&C/PDT subsystems”);
• radio frequency digital equipment for telecommunication/navigation payloads, radio frequency/microwave and millimetre-wave remote sensing instruments and radio frequency subsystems, such as TT&C, PDT and ISL, as well as payload signal and data processing techniques.

Description

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 field of TT&C and PDT subsystems, including their associated EGSE and related equipment, such as receivers, transmitters and transponders, throughout all project phases;
• contributing to the definition, specification, development and verification of future TT&C and PDT subsystems and associated EGSE and equipment, and design and implementation of associated functions and techniques within the TT&C/PDT subsystem;
• assessing new concepts, architectures, technologies and techniques to be applied to the next generation of TT&C and PDT subsystems;
• defining technological requirements and generation of specifications, from the subsystem to the equipment and the antenna;
• 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 in the field of TT&C and PDT subsystems;
• 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;
• 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;
• development of simulation tools and associated paradigms in support of the design, development and performance evaluation of TT&C and PDT subsystems;
• implementation of laboratory activities associated with the testing, characterisation and performance assessment of TT&C and PDT subsystems;
• supervising students and trainees for the analysis, simulation and development of advanced concepts in the technical field of the Section.

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

Depending on your level of technical experience, you may also take on a coordination role in relation to a specific aspect of TT&C/PDT subsystems.

Technical competencies

• General background and specific experience in the technical domains covered by the position
• Hands-on hardware experience
• Experience in the development and verification of space hardware
• Experience with the design, development and application of relevant tools and methods
• Understanding of related technologies, R&D trends and the industrial landscape
• Project support experience in a relevant domain
• 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

Education

A master’s degree in telecommunications, electronics or RF/microwave engineering is required for this post.

Additional requirements

Very good understanding of TT&C and PDT subsystems for space applications, such as navigation, telecommunications and Earth observation, including functionality, architecture and key performance parameter specification and evaluation.

Experience with the design, development and verification of TT&C and PDT subsystems for space applications.

Very good knowledge of modern computer systems, simulation and modelling tools, programming languages and signal processing techniques and technologies.

Several years of professional experience in the relevant technical domains will be considered an asset.

Important Information and Disclaimer

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations and eligible to acquire the security clearance by their national security administrations.

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, Cyprus, 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.