On-board Computers and Data Handling Engineer (2 Positions)

This vacancy is published to recruit for either: an appointment of 4 years, extendable to an indefinite duration; or a fixed-term appointment with an initial duration of 4 years that depending on performance and organisational needs, may be extended up to a maximum total duration of 8 years.

On-board Computers and Data Handling Engineer (2 Positions)

Description

On-board Computers and Data Handling Engineer in the Data Handling Section, Avionics and EEE Division, Electrical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

The Data Handling Section provides functional support to ESA projects and carries out technological research and development (R&D) concerning turnkey onboard hardware data handling solutions, with an emphasis on:

• platform and payload data handling architectures and their building blocks (equipment/units, modules and key components);
• platform units such as onboard computers, mass memories, remote terminals and instrument control units (except for RF payloads);
• digital and analogue signal processing electronics for payload/platform functions (except for RF payloads);
• front-end acquisition and processing chain electronics (except for RF payloads);
• interfaces, buses, networks and associated protocols (high, medium and low speed), for onboard data transfers, and command and control functions;
• platform data handling functions related to security, data authentication, encryption/decryption and compression;
• the use of microelectronics devices, including COTS, in the development of platform data handling and payload data processing equipment;
• the implementation, inference, verification and validation of algorithms (including artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms) on data processing hardware platforms for space applications, in close collaboration with other discipline experts, such as software, microelectronics and applications engineers.

Duties

You will report 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 onboard computers, platform and payload data handling and processing systems, throughout all project phases;
• participating in feasibility studies, project reviews, and evaluations of procurement proposals;
• identifying critical development problems and assisting in their resolution;
• contributing to the definition of technology development requirements, roadmaps and work plans for the Agency’s technology programmes;
• defining, initiating and managing R&D activities addressing both short- and long-term ESA mission needs;
• fostering new application areas for multidisciplinary activities, placing emphasis on innovative concepts, cutting-edge technologies and system architectures;
• conducting 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 and lessons learned 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 development and testing experience for onboard data handling and payload data processing elements (modules and units)
• Understanding of related technologies, R&D trends and the industrial landscape
• Project support experience in a relevant domain
• Experience in the preparation of procurement activities for technology development and innovation, such as statements of work, proposal reviews and evaluations
• Experience in the management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in reviews
• Experience in technology roadmap definition and harmonisation

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

A master’s degree in electronics, electrical engineering, networks, telecommunications or a related field is required for this post.

Additional requirements

At least 10 years of professional experience in the following:

• Design, review, simulation and verification of end-to-end processing chains and data handling architectures;
• Design, review, simulation, manufacturing and testing of platform and payload data handling and processing equipment, modules and boards, with a particular focus on onboard computers;
• Implementation of platform and payload data handling and processing equipment utilising FPGAs/processors/microcontrollers, single-point-of-failure-free circuit design, failure containment strategies, and the use of radiation-hardened, tolerant, or COTS components with radiation mitigation techniques;
• Implementation and testing of data handling and processing modules and units in a laboratory environment.

Knowledge of the following fields would be considered an asset:

• Design and use of electrical ground support equipment, in support of the development and testing of data handling and data processing units and modules (onboard computers, mass memories, instrument control units, remote terminal/interface units, and payload data processing units);
• Design and use of electrical ground support equipment for supporting instruments or satellite data handling/processing AIT activities;
• Knowledge of security protocols and functions, such as encryption, decryption, authentication and key distribution, and their hardware implementations, as applied in avionics and data handling systems;
• Understanding of security considerations – risks, vulnerabilities, threats and mitigation methods – as applied to avionics and data handling systems;
• Failure detection, isolation and recovery design and analysis for avionics and data handling systems;
• Implementation, inference, training, verification and validation of machine learning algorithms on hardware platforms for space or terrestrial applications;
• Knowledge of model-based system engineering tools and methodologies for the modelling and design of avionics and data handling systems;
• Participation in technical and organisational committees for conferences and workshops.

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 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.