Flight Software Engineer

Join ESA as a Flight Software Engineer

This is a non-renewable post for a limited duration of 4 years.

Description

As a Flight Software Engineer in the Flight Software Section, Avionics and EEE Division, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality (D/TEC), you will contribute to the success of ESA missions by providing expert technical support for flight software development and functional verification and validation for all ESA missions across all directorates. The Section has contributed to missions such as Rosetta, Galileo, Juice, Hera, Copernicus, ISS Columbus, meteorological missions, and many others.

The Section is responsible for defining, initiating and managing technology research and development (R&D) activities in its field of expertise to ensure that future missions use state-of-the-art technologies efficiently, guaranteeing the quality necessary for space systems and enabling increased functionality in a properly verified manner. This covers subjects such as software verification and validation methods and processes, modern software architectures and frameworks, new generation processors and multicores, and model-based engineering.

The Section also participates actively in standardisation activities by influencing the evolution of the various applicable standards and ensuring their proper application in ESA projects.

Duties

You will participate in the specification, design, development, verification and validation of real-time embedded software on board ESA spacecraft. You will support one or more ESA programmes, from the definition phase up to launch, by monitoring relevant industrial activities. This may include support to ESA’s contributions to the Lunar Gateway station to orbit the Moon, the International Habitation module (I-Hab). You will also define and implement R&D activities. Your responsibilities will include:

• project support:
  • Providing specialist technical support for real-time embedded software systems, including flight software and the corresponding development and validation facilities;
  • Performing technical monitoring of industrial activities linked to software development, including independent verification of industrial outputs, reviews and acceptance;
  • Monitoring various functional verification and validation activities at spacecraft, subsystem and unit levels;
  • Providing technical expertise in software system-related activities;
  • Participating in the evaluation of industrial proposals and in project reviews.

• technology activities:
  • Defining and implementing technology programmes within the Section’s competence, in particular concerning software architectures, software ecosystems, verification and validation and modern engineering methods and tools to improve development and verification processes for embedded software;
  • Contributing to the dissemination of the results of activities performed and knowledge transfer across the Agency.

• standardisation activities:
  • Contributing, as a technical expert, in standardisation activities in the software systems domain.

Technical competencies

• Experience in real-time embedded software
• Knowledge of all phases of the software development life cycle
• Experience in software development projects
• Experience in functional verification and validation activities
• Spacecraft systems knowledge
• Experience in the management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in reviews, is considered an asset
• Experience with space engineering standards and their implementation
• A good understanding of modern software engineering methods and tools, AI methodologies and implementation, R&D trends and the corresponding industrial landscape

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

A master’s degree in computer science, electronics engineering, telecommunications or a related discipline is required for this post.

Additional requirements

• Strong experience in real-time embedded software, for example LEON SPARC processors, ARM, RISC-V, and multicore platforms, such as IMA/TSP and RTOS
• Knowledge of all phases of the software development life cycle, including requirements engineering, design, coding, verification and validation, functional validations at system level, support to operations and agile methodology
• Strong experience in software development projects, including C/C++, Ada and assembly programming languages, software development environments, software validation facilities and ground testbeds and support equipment
• Proven experience in functional verification and validation activities, for example the specification and development of test means and simulation models, the definition of test plans, test specifications and test procedures, functional validations performed on avionics and/or instrument test benches and support to system validation test campaigns
• Spacecraft systems knowledge and experience with software development for satellite platforms and/or payloads, for example with avionics subsystems and integrated flight hardware
• Proven experience in the management and monitoring of industrial activities, such as the elaboration of statements of work, user specifications, proposal evaluation, supplier interactions, monitoring progress and quality and acceptance
• Proven experience with space software engineering standards and their application or equivalent standards in other domains; experience with specific standards and guidelines such as ECSS-E-ST-40C, ECSS-Q-ST-80C, ISVV guide, ECSS-E-ST-70-41C, ECSS-E-ST-10C, ECSS handbooks and SAVOIR specifications is an additional asset
• A good understanding of modern software engineering methods and tools, AI methodologies and implementation, R&D trends and the industrial landscape, such as verification and validation methods and tools, code generation tools, model-based software engineering and agile development approaches

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.

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 & 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
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, 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.