Microelectronics System Design 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

The Microelectronics System Design Engineer will be part of the Microelectronics Section, Data Systems, Microelectronics and Components Technology Division, Electrical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality at ESA. The Microelectronics Section provides functional support to ESA projects and carries out technological research and development (R&D) in the field of integrated circuits, including ASICs, ASSPs, FPGAs, microprocessors, and microcontrollers.

Duties

• Providing expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects, programmes and general studies in the field of microelectronics front-ends, wireline and wireless interfaces, converters, FPGAs, microprocessors and IP cores throughout all project phases
• Participating in feasibility studies, project reviews and 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 design
• Conducting 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 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 development and verification of integrated circuits for communication, computing, automotive, power and/or instrumentation application domains
• Experience in microelectronics system design definition, analysis and development of integrated circuits
• Experience in the definition, development and verification of space microelectronics for satellite platforms and payloads, including instruments, telecommunication and/or navigation units, on-board computers, remote terminals, power units and/or control units
• Project support experience for Earth observation, navigation, telecommunication, human spaceflight and exploration missions
• Experience in the design, development and application of relevant tools and methods
• Hands-on laboratory testing and measurement experience
• Experience in the preparation of development roadmaps and procurement activities for technology development and innovation, such as statements of work and proposal preparation and evaluation
• Experience in the planning, management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in reviews

Behavioural Competencies

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

Education

A master’s degree in electronic engineering or physics is required for this post.

Additional Requirements

• At least ten years of experience in end-to-end design, system integration and testing of ICs and FPGAs, as well as reusable IP cores.
• Competence in the following domains is required:
  • Signal and power converters, such as ADC/DAC, TDC and PMIC, phase-locked loops, front-ends (e.g., detectors, communication and radar), wireline, optical and/or wireless transceivers
  • Mixed-signal/RF ASIC design, simulation, layout and tools
  • Digital FPGA and/or ASIC design, simulation, synthesis, layout and tools
  • Design methodology and tools for reusable IP cores
  • Microelectronics system design definition, analysis and development for integrated circuits from high-level application domain requirements
  • Integrated circuit functional, electrical and environmental testing
• A PhD would be considered an asset.
• Preference will be given to candidates with expertise in two or more of the following microelectronics domains relating to the position:
  • Analogue and digital signal processing for communication, radar, GNSS, image and video detectors, instrumentation and/or power
  • Communication, radar, GNSS and/or image/video signal processing designs
  • System-level modelling with MATLAB, SystemC and/or SystemVerilog
  • Wireline and wireless communication for terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks
  • Programming in C, C++ and Python

Important Information and Disclaimer

• Recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). 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.
• 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.