EO Security Applications Engineer

European Space Agency - ESA; Frascati; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The European Space Agency (ESA) seeks an EO Security Applications Engineer for the Earth Observation Programmes Directorate at ESRIN, Frascati, Italy. The role focuses on applying civilian EO capabilities to security and resilience domains, engaging stakeholders, and driving innovative projects using EO data, AI, and cross-domain datasets.

Qualified candidates have a master’s degree in engineering or a related field and substantial experience; willingness to collaborate across divisions is

Qualifications

• A master's degree in engineering, Earth science, computer science, applied physics or data science is required for this post together with, in principle, six years of relevant professional experience.
• Specialist experience in law enforcement, fragile states, civil–military cooperation would be an advantage.
• Strong problem-solving skills to deal with day-to-day operational challenges.
• Strong results orientation with ability to set priorities and present practical solutions orally and in writing.

Responsibilities

• Build up the increased use of civilian EO capabilities in security and resilience domains within the ERS programme.
• Engage key stakeholders from law enforcement and security communities at international and national levels.
• Promote awareness of civilian EO capabilities among security stakeholders to foster longer-term adoption.
• Identify impediments to uptake of civilian EO-based products and services in security domains.
• Define and implement innovative projects to promote civilian EO, including private sector systems.
• Combine EO data with non-EO datasets and advanced processing methods to address security needs.

Skills

EO security applications

Stakeholder engagement

Project coordination

Analytical thinking

AI awareness

Education

Master's degree in engineering, Earth science, computer science, applied physics or data science

Job description

EO Security Applications Engineer

Job Requisition ID: 20929

Date Posted: 21 October 2026

Closing Date: 11 November 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication Method: Internal & External

Type of Appointment (learn more): 4 years, extendable to indefinite

Directorate: Earth Observation Programmes

Workplace:

Frascati, IT

Grade Band: A2 - A4

Location

ESRIN, Frascati, Italy

Description

Earth Observation Security Applications Engineer in the Industrial Competitiveness Section, Green Solutions Division, Science Applications and Climate Department, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes.

Duties

You will be responsible for building up the increased use of civilian EO capabilities, in line with the ESA Convention, in all security and resilience domains in the framework of the ERS programme. This will include law enforcement (environmental crime, crimes against humanity, proliferation, organised crime and terrorism), intelligence analysis, actions addressing fragility, conflict and violence, hybrid threats and civil/military cooperation in Earth observation.

Your responsibilities will include:

• engaging key stakeholders from the law enforcement/security community, identifying opportunities for strategic collaboration at international and national level;
• building awareness and acceptance of civilian EO capabilities among law enforcement/security-sector stakeholders to foster longer-term adoption, consolidating their information requirements;
• identifying and addressing structural impediments to the uptake of civilian EO-based products and services in the law enforcement/security domain;
• defining and implementing innovative projects to foster the use of civilian EO, in particular private sector systems, in this domain;
• defining and implementing innovative projects to combine EO data with non-EO datasets, new architectures (e.g. edge processing) and advanced processing methods (including AI) to address emerging needs from security stakeholders;
• assessing EO science and applications developments (data analytics, artificial intelligence, etc.) regarding the exploitation potential for the law enforcement/security domain;
• cooperating with other ESA teams involved in industrial innovation to address evolving priorities in this domain;
• liaising with the other divisions and departments involved with the ERS-EO Element 1 activities and the ERS-EO Element 2 Clusters where appropriate;
• contributing to ESA communication efforts promoting EO results, mission achievements and EO benefits for society;
• supervising and supporting the work of Young Graduate Trainees, National Trainees and Research Fellows.

Technical competencies

Experience in the application of satellite/airborne EO with stakeholders from the security domain in Europe and worldwide

Knowledge of European and Global law enforcement/security environments

Experience in setting up and implementing projects involving exploitation of Earth observation data

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation

Operational Efficiency

Fostering Cooperation

Relationship Management

Continuous Improvement

Forward Thinking

For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

Education And Professional Experience

A master's degree in engineering, Earth science, computer science, applied physics or data science is required for this post together with, in principle, six years of relevant professional experience.

Additional Requirements

Specialist experience of working in the one of the following areas would be an advantage: law enforcement, fragile states, civil-military cooperation

Strong problem-solving skills to deal with day-to-day operational challenges

Strong results orientation with ability to set priorities and present practical solutions orally and in writing

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, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.

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 [e-mail].

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.

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, 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.