End-to-End Navigation System Engineer

This is a fixed-term appointment with an initial duration of 4 years. Depending upon performance and organisational needs, the appointment may be extended up to a possible maximum duration of 8 years.

Description

End-to-End Navigation System Engineer in the Navigation Systems Implementation and Validation Section, End-to-End Systems Division, Systems Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

Our team and mission

You will be based in the Navigation Systems Implementation and Validation Section at ESA. The Section provides expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects, programmes and general studies in the field of radio navigation systems and techniques (positioning, navigation and timing, in particular global navigation satellite systems) throughout all project phases.

The Section manages a vast portfolio of R&D and commercial technology development activities, spanning programmes such as the Navigation Innovation and Support Programme (NAVISP), the General Support Technology Programme (GSTP) and InCubed. We actively explore multidisciplinary application areas, focusing on innovative concepts, cutting-edge technologies and strengthening European commercial competitiveness.

Duties

As an End-to-End Navigation System Engineer, your primary responsibilities will focus on the implementation and management of commercial technology development projects under GSTP Element 2 and NAVISP Element 2. Your duties will include:

• acting as Technical Officer for a diverse portfolio of commercial R&D contracts, overseeing activities from the idea pitch phase through to the final review, enhancing project outcomes and ensuring continuous improvement;
• evaluating the commercial landscape and business plans for proposed technologies (e.g. NewSpace initiatives, autonomous systems, maritime and railway PVT applications), monitoring market success risks and maintaining alignment with programme objectives;
• providing broad technical expertise across the evolving positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) landscape, including hybrid positioning techniques, multi-sensor data fusion, LEO-PNT concepts, and alternative PNT solutions;
• driving technology developments related to PNT resilience against modern global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) threats (jamming, spoofing and meaconing), including the evaluation of systems based on controlled reception pattern, robust receiver designs, and advanced resilient navigation concepts;
• defining, guiding, and supporting hands-on test campaigns within the ESTEC Navigation Laboratory to evaluate, prototype and verify new commercial PNT technologies, resilient systems and third-party equipment;
• managing end-to-end procurement processes, which entails preparing statements of work, leading Tender Evaluation Boards, conducting contract negotiations and monitoring industrial milestone execution;
• continuously identifying potential risks throughout the project lifecycle, interacting proactively with industrial partners to implement mitigation strategies that minimise impacts on deliverables and timelines;
• engaging actively in cross-directorate cooperation, proposing new and innovative R&D activities, and capturing and disseminating technical knowledge across the Agency.

Technical competencies

• Broad understanding of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) technologies, R&D trends, and the commercial industrial landscape.
• Solid technical background in resilient navigation systems, including physical layer security, anti-jamming/anti-spoofing techniques, and alternative/complementary PNT.
• Proven experience in technology business development, assessing commercial viability, and business plan management for Earth observation or navigation commercial applications.
• Experience in the preparation of procurement activities for technology development and innovation, including Statements of Work, proposal evaluation.
• Experience in the management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in formal technical reviews.

Behavioural competencies

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

Education and professional experience

A master's degree in telecommunication engineering or another relevant domain is required for this post together with 4 years of relevant professional experience.

Additional requirements

• Experience of working with satellite navigation in particular and PNT in general.
• Strong technical, analytical, organisational, and reporting skills, with a proactive attitude to solving problems.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team.
• Understanding of the ESA procurement process.

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.

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.

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.