ESA Graduate Trainee in End-to-End Systems Engineering for Navigation

Our team and mission

The purpose of the E2E Systems Engineering Division is to lead or provide support to the Agency’s activities that require expertise in the field of end-to-end systems engineering in line with ESA’s strategic objectives.

The technical domain covers the:

• definition, design, implementation and validation of telecommunications and connectivity systems, radio navigation, localisation and PNT systems, formation flying and radio-frequency metrology;
• end-to-end engineering and performance of space systems of scientific and applied nature, performing remote sensing and observations in the radio-frequency and optical band;
• the engineering activities related to the end-to-end communication capability of ESA missions, for system-internal and user-oriented data flows, including the ranging, tracking and time-transfer, system aspects of telemetry, tracking and command and payload data transmission links, deep space and near-Earth communication links, proximity and intersatellite links;
• all aspects of security engineering, including cyber security, crypto, hardware and software security, link and data protection, frameworks, processes, vulnerability assessment and countermeasures at system, element and application levels including AI and quantum;
• ground mission segment and user segment, engineering, implementation and validation activities at segment and element level, and all related techniques and technologies;
• testing and monitoring of system/segment/services performance and signal in space quality during preparation and operational phases;
• the design, development and testing of the associated pre-commercial and commercial ground (user/mission) infrastructure and equipment.

It includes system/segment/end-to-end payload concepts, architectures and trade-offs, performance and budget analysis, techniques and algorithms (coding, modulation, access, synchronisation, networking, etc.), signal in space, and signal processing, digital/analogue communication, networks and protocols across the full stack, from the physical to the application layer, for radio-frequency and optical links/observation of passive and active instruments, interfaces and data flows, for the ground-to-space, space-to-space and space-to-user links.

Division structure

The E2E Systems Division consists of five sections and associated laboratory facilities:

1. Navigation Systems Definition Section
2. Navigation Systems Implementation and Validation Section
3. Systems Security Engineering Section
4. Telecommunication Systems and Techniques Section
5. E2E System Comms Section

Laboratories

The E2E Systems Division is currently supported by five laboratories:

1. E2E Engineering Laboratory
2. Navigation Laboratory
3. Secure Navigation Laboratory
4. Telecommunication Laboratory
5. Cyber Laboratory

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

As an ESA Graduate Trainee in the Navigation Systems Definition Section of the End-to-End (E2E) System Engineering Division, you will work on the end-to-end engineering of space navigation and geolocation systems that span new concepts, architectures and technology, covering the ground/space and user segments, algorithms, signal design and processing.

Your activities will support the development of new missions in satellite navigation and geolocation and the potential integration with other application domains such as telecommunications and Earth observation, in environments ranging from near-Earth to deep space, and in projects such as Galileo, LEO-PNT, IRIS2, ERS, Moonlight, etc.

Your activities will include

• defining, assessing and supporting end-to-end navigation and geolocation systems concepts and architectures;
• developing the associated technology across the ground, space and user segments;
• working on the algorithm and techniques at system and user levels;
• developing and using end-to-end performance simulation models to support trade-offs, verification and risk reduction;
• performing end-to-end performance analyses and budgets, linking physical-layer choices to mission constraints and service performance;
• addressing the resilience and security of navigation solutions, including protection of links and data, robustness to disruptions and interference, and systematic testing through fault and threat scenario injection;
• validating simulation results through laboratory activities, including experiments with software-defined radios and representative equipment, and interfacing the simulator with external systems under test;
• working on the expansion of navigation system capabilities, covering global situational awareness and interference monitoring, system reactivity and reconfigurability, direct to user comms, etc.;
• defining new mission propositions for a satellite navigation system in a system-of-systems approach under the European Resilience System initiatives, also integrating communication and remote sensing capabilities in a synergetic manner;
• developing use cases and scenarios to enhance the functionality and performance of the individual systems and unlocking completely new capabilities for the end users.

Learning objectives

Consolidate skills in space systems engineering applied to navigation across the full stack, gain experience in modelling, simulation and laboratory validation, and apply these methods to the design of resilient, secure and flexible communication architectures. This role offers a unique comprehensive view of space system applications, bridging the gap between theoretical design and practical mission implementation while gaining hands-on experience with laboratory hardware.

Technical competencies

• Knowledge of relevant technical/functional domains
• Relevant experience gained during internships, project work and/or extracurricular or other activities
• General knowledge of the space sector and relevant activities
• Knowledge of ESA and its programmes/projects

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

You should have just completed, or be in the final year of your master’s degree in telecommunications, electronics, radio navigation or aerospace engineering.

Additional requirements

Programming skills (Python, MATLAB or other programming languages) would be an asset. Hands-on experience in using and testing basic laboratory hardware (radio frequency/microwave/digital) would be an asset.

A background in one or more of the following fields is required:

• satellite radio navigation systems (in particular Galileo and GPS), position estimation and/or sensor fusion, signal processing, low power/IOT devices;
• telecommunications systems, signal processing, networks and protocols;
• remote sensing systems, active and passive systems;
• optical and radio-frequency systems and technology;

You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team. Previous experience of working in international teams can be considered an asset.

Important Information and Disclaimer

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations. 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.

Nationality and Languages

Please note that applications can only be 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, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).

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.