Navigation Ground Mission Segment Engineer

Description

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

The Navigation Systems Implementation and Validation Section provides functional support to the Agency’s activities relating to the implementation and validation of positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) and geo-location systems.

The domain covers:

• the end-to-end (E2E) implementation and validation of positioning, navigation, timing and geo-location systems and functions at system and space, ground and user segment level;
• the ground mission segment, element and equipment and all related techniques and technologies that support ESA’s PNT and geo-location missions;
• user segment equipment and products;
• testing and monitoring of system, segment and service performance and signal-in-space quality during operational phases.

The Section operates specialised test facilities and laboratories, playing a crucial role in supporting ESA's programmes and contributing to the competitiveness of the European space industry.

You will be primarily assigned to provide support to the Moonlight/LCNS (Lunar Communication Navigation Service) Programme as Navigation Ground Mission Segment Engineer. For this main task, you will work under the coordination of the Moonlight Navigation Manager, who is responsible for all Directorate of Navigation-related aspects of the Moonlight Programme activities. You will be formally integrated into the Moonlight Project Team based at ECSAT Harwell, reporting there to the LCNS Ground Segment and Operations Manager on a day-to-day basis.

The Moonlight Partnership Programme is a multi-domain activity led by the Directorate of Connectivity and Secure Communications (D/CSC) and jointly implemented with the Directorate of Navigation (D/NAV) and the Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes. The Moonlight Project will establish a European-led commercial delivery of LCNS that will support the current and next generations of institutional and commercial lunar explorers.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• supporting the ground segment requirements and specifications, design drivers, technical and performance indicators and operational concepts, including their consistency with the system requirements and specifications;
• monitoring the activities relevant to the ground segment definition, design, development, verification and validation phases and actively supporting the contractors as required;
• ensuring the coherence and compliance of the system performance with the mission requirements and the proper flow-down of the requirements by the contractors to the sub-system definition and specifications;
• supervising the definition, design, implementation and validation of the Navigation Management Centre, focusing on the ODTS function, the generation and authentication of the navigation messages, the archiving and retrospective computation of navigation products, the analysis and monitoring of payload data and PVT post-processing and performance monitoring, as well as the two-way Navigation Facility;
• supervising the definition, design, implementation and validation of the Service Management Centre, focusing on real-time and non-real-time services, service availability and performance prediction;
• ensuring system end-to-end navigation performance by actively monitoring related mission performance analyses and the development of related tools, for example end-to-end simulators, by the contractors;
• monitoring the work of the LCNS NAV mission contractors and actively supporting the progress in development;
• ensuring close coordination and support with other project functions, such as LCNS system- and segment-level reviews and PA&S and security activities;
• supporting the organisation and execution of project reviews.

Other more general tasks and responsibilities will include:

• providing expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects, programmes and general studies in the field of navigation 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 a state-of-the-art expertise;
• contributing to the dissemination of the results of the activities performed and the transfer of knowledge across the Agency.

Technical competencies

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

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

Experience with the development and procurement of software-intensive ground systems such as mission operations, network operations and management, and navigation management

Behavioural competencies

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

Additional requirements

A very solid background and experience is required in several of the following fields:

• Technologies and sub-system architecture relating to the ground segments of complex satellite systems;
• Precise orbit determination and timing synchronisation techniques for navigation systems;
• Global navigation systems, for example Galileo, GNSS signals, and the associated receiver technologies and standards.

Expertise and professional experience in lunar and extra-terrestrial positioning, navigation and timing, including systems, techniques and algorithms for navigation to the Moon and on the Moon, as well as ODTS techniques for Moon navigation, will be considered an asset.

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, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.

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.