AOCS and Pointing Systems Engineer (3 Positions)

European Space Agency - ESA; Noordwijk; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

European Space Agency (ESA) in Noordwijk, Netherlands, invites applications for an AOCS and Pointing Systems Engineer. The role supports AOCS architecture design, verification, and related subsystems across ESA missions.

You will engage in studies, reviews, and procurements, shaping technology development and future concepts. The position requires a master's degree in control or aerospace engineering with at least 5 years of relevant experience, and a strong background in AOCS hardware and

Qualifications

• Master's degree in control engineering and/or aerospace engineering with a minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience.
• Five years' experience in development of satellite AOCS subsystems and procurement engineering; expertise in multiple AOCS domains.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert technical support and consultancy on AOCS and pointing systems across project phases.
• Participate in feasibility studies, reviews, and evaluation of procurement proposals.
• Identify critical development problems and assist in resolution.
• Define technology development requirements and plans for agency programmes.
• Define and manage R&D activities for long- and short-term needs.
• Foster new application areas and innovative concepts for AOCS.
• Conduct laboratory testing of AOCS products and prototyping of new solutions.
• Monitor scientific and technological trends and maintain state-of-the-art expertise.
• Disseminate results and transfer knowledge across the Agency.

Skills

AOCS architecture design

AOCS verification

AOCS modelling and software

Control algorithms

Hands-on hardware testing

Project support

Laboratory testing

Technical consultancy

AI/ML for AOCS

Education

Master's degree in control engineering and/or aerospace engineering

Job description

AOCS and Pointing Systems Engineer (3 Positions)

Closing Date: 29 September 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Location: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Workplace: Noordwijk, NL

Type of appointment: an appointment of 4 years, extendable to an indefinite duration; or a fixed-term appointment with an initial duration of 4 years that may be extended up to a maximum total duration of 8 years.

AOCS and Pointing Systems Engineer in the AOCS and Pointing Architecture Section, GNC, AOCS and Pointing Division, Electrical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

The AOCS and Pointing Architecture Section provides functional support for space missions in the domains of Earth observation, science, and resilience, navigation and connectivity.

The Section carries out technological research and development, harmonisation and standardisation in the field of AOCS and pointing, with a focus on subsystem competitiveness, improvement and innovation for performance, robustness, autonomy and process.

Duties

• providing expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects, programmes and general studies in the field of AOCS and pointing systems (AOCS architecture design and verification, including AOCS applicative software and FDIR, as well as AOCS equipment procurement) throughout all project phases;
• participating in feasibility studies, project reviews and the 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 and addressing AOCS-enabling and -enhancing concepts and advanced control techniques;
• fostering new application areas for multidisciplinary activities, placing emphasis on innovative concepts, cutting-edge technologies and system architectures;
• laboratory activities for the testing of AOCS products and the evaluation and prototyping of new AOCS solutions;
• 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

Hands‑on experience

Understanding of related technologies, R&D trends and the industrial landscape

Project support experience in a relevant domain

Experience in the management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in reviews

Behavioural competencies

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

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

Education And Professional Experience

A master's degree in control engineering and/or aerospace engineering is required for this post together with a minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience.

Additional Requirements

You should have at least five years' experience in the development of satellite AOCS subsystems and in the procurement engineering of a range of AOCS hardware units. Preference will be given to those with expertise in two or more of the following areas relating to the position:

• AOCS subsystem architecture, design, testing and verification, including control algorithm design and tuning, analysis and simulation
• AOCS modelling and software, including automatic code generation, hardware and spacecraft avionics
• Pointing error engineering
• Advanced control, optimisation and estimation techniques
• Smallsat and nanosat AOCS
• Laboratory facility or hands‑on hardware (including integration) experience
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques for AOCS applications and engineering

Your motivation for supporting engineering laboratory activities and for proposing new R&D activities will be considered in the selection process.

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.

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, 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.