Antenna 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. Any appointment to this position will begin no earlier than 1 January 2026.

Description

Antenna Engineer, Antennas and Sub-millimetre Waves Section, Radio Frequency Payloads and Technology Division, Electrical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

The Antennas and Sub-millimetre Waves Section provides functional support to ESA projects and carries out technological research and development (R&D) in the fields of space antenna systems, submillimetre wave instruments and associated technologies.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• Providing expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects, programmes and general studies in the field of space antenna systems, submillimetre wave instruments and associated technologies throughout all project phases
• Supporting the definition of technological requirements of future space antenna systems, including active antennas, in cooperation with ESA specialists in the various domains
• Participating in feasibility studies, project reviews and the evaluation of procurement proposals
• Identifying critical development problems and assisting in their resolution
• Defining, initiating and managing R&D activities, including those related to space antennas, covering both long- and short-term needs
• Contributing to the definition of technology development requirements and work plans for the Agency’s technology programmes
• Fostering new application areas for multidisciplinary activities, placing emphasis on innovative concepts, cutting-edge technologies and system architectures
• Supporting 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 across the Agency

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

Technical Competencies

• General background and specific experience in the technical domains covered by the position
• Experience in the management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in reviews
• Understanding of related technologies, R&D trends and the industrial landscape
• Experience with the design, development and application of relevant tools and methods
• Project support experience in a relevant domain
• Experience in the preparation of procurement activities for technology development and innovation (statements of work, proposal evaluation, etc.)
• Experience in the development and verification (laboratory or field testing) of relevant technical equipment and space hardware

Behavioural Competencies

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

Education

A master's degree in telecommunications or electrical engineering is required for this post.

Additional Requirements

• A very good understanding of space antennas/payloads is required, including the specification and evaluation of functionality, architectures and key performance parameters.
• A very good knowledge of multibeam antennas and architectures, including beam forming, radiating elements and critical technologies for radio frequency payloads, would be considered an asset.
• Solid industrial experience in antenna and submillimetre wave architectures and technologies as applied to aerospace programmes would be an asset.
• Comprehensive background in electromagnetic wave theory is required.

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.

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.

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

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.

Nationality and Languages

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.

According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States. When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates and secondly to external candidates from under-represented 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.

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.