Earth Observation Systems Architect Engineer

We are looking for an Earth Observation Systems Architect Engineer who will report to the Head of the System Architect Office.

The European Earth observation ecosystem of today includes a range of programmatic foundations, including scientific research missions, operational missions, multilateral, national and commercial systems, Security and Resilience elements, non-orbiting platforms, and in-situ assets and their synergies. ESA requires a forward-looking system-of-systems architectural framework for the 2040–2060 timeframe, not to replace the real-world European EO ecosystem, but to offer a coherent, system-level perspective to guide its strategic evolution. This must build on existing and emerging scientific and engineering capabilities based on architectural simulation and evidence-based foresighting approaches. Your work will map the EO programmatic vision of Member States and stakeholders and, using different scenarios for a future world, you will develop architectural approaches to optimise the future EO ecosystem and address evolving stakeholder and user needs.

By providing architectural coherence, reference capabilities and trusted coordination across institutional, national and commercial actors, ESA enables Europe to preserve scientific and operational credibility, policy relevance and strategic autonomy in an increasingly complex and contested environment. As part of your work, you will conduct simulations, periodic EO gap analyses and impact studies, and explore new and future remote sensing techniques.

Within the System Architect Office team and working across the Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes, you will foster the unique role of the European Space Agency as a neutral architect system engineer. You will develop and drive activities that will explore diverse architectural scientific and technical elements using complementary simulation and foresighting tools to critically assess new elements within the reference architecture.

Description

• In close dialogue with users and stakeholders, develop and drive activities to explore diverse scientific and technical architectural elements in order to evolve and maintain a European Earth Observation Ecosystem Reference Architecture (blueprint) for the 2040–2060 timeframe.
• Prepare new architectures addressing current and future paradigm shifts in Earth observation, for example those driven by artificial intelligence/machine learning, in-orbit compute, dual-use scenarios, tip-and-cue strategies and small-sat constellations.
• Assess scientific, operational, commercial and constellation approaches to European EO challenges in 2040–2060+.
• Develop architectural design options for EO security and resilience applications.
• Prepare and conduct simulations and optimisations to support the formulation of architectural options for the European EO ecosystem, including trade-offs between different scenarios in terms of cost, risk, affordability and available programmatic lines to facilitate integration into existing infrastructure.
• Leverage active external technical and scientific networks, explore new and future remote sensing techniques, permanently search for innovation and gather information on technology evolution, including benchmarking activities in relation to other organisations and systems.
• Analyse technical and economic challenges and trends under new EO sector initiatives to assess the relevant feasibility.

Technical competencies

• Thorough knowledge of EO domains from remote sensing technologies to downstream science and applications.
• Thorough knowledge of system-of-systems engineering and derivation of system architectures.
• Knowledge of multi-mission/constellation simulation tools in the Earth observation domain.
• Knowledge of relevant strategic and technological trends and developments inside and outside the space EO domain.
• Experience in conducting studies involving multiple stakeholders or complex trade-off issues.
• Understanding of the EO programmatic landscape including commercial, institutional, academic and industrial stakeholder needs.

Behavioural competencies

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

Education and professional experience

A master’s degree in engineering, mathematics or physics is required for this post together with 5 years of relevant professional experience in EO activities.

Additional requirements

• Demonstrated ability for the collection, analysis and synthesis of information that pertains to various fields (technical, scientific or economic) and is drawn from various sources.
• Experience of end-to-end multi-mission performance simulation/optimisation.
• A thorough knowledge of synergies between complementary Earth observation techniques would be an asset.
• The role requires familiarity with current and planned satellite missions, including their instruments, technologies, and user and stakeholder needs, both within ESA and across relevant international programmes and commercial Earth observation entities.
• Importance will be given to your capabilities to work closely with international experts, relevant scientific/industrial and political organisations and bodies, as well as to function in a team environment.

Important information

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.

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.