D2D 5G/6G Network Lead Mission Engineer

European Space Agency - ESA; Noordwijk; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

ESA in Noordwijk, Netherlands, seeks a D2D 5G/6G Network Lead Mission Engineer for the D2D Project within the Commercial Partnerships Department. You will own the 5G/6G NTN system architecture, coordinate procurement, design and validation, and interface with operators and prime contractors to ensure mission success.

You will lead a team across ESA directorates, manage schedules and budgets, and drive end-to-end validation from ground to in-orbit demonstrations within a fixed-term appointment of

Qualifications

• Proven experience in SatCom systems specification, design, development, verification and end-to-end validation.
• Proven experience with 5G/6G telecom networks engineering, verification, end-to-end validation and operations.
• Experience in agile system engineering and model-based system engineering is a plus.
• Knowledge of ESA or large industrial procurement processes and contracts negotiation.
• Knowledge of complex project risk management, industrial costs and schedule control.

Responsibilities

• leading and coordinating the definition, procurement, design, development, qualification, acceptance, deployment and ground- and in-orbit validation of the 5G/6G NTN system architecture for the D2D Partnership Projects
• ensuring the alignment of the mission performances with the system requirements for space, ground and user segments
• supervising the development and validation of the 5G/6G NTN software protocol stack, both on board and on the ground
• leading end-to-end integration of NTN payloads, RAN and core subsystems, and O-RAN/NTN with ground architectures
• ensuring technical consistency and coordination across project areas
• interfacing with industrial contractors to review progress and status
• supporting industry tailoring and application of ESA and international standards
• managing requirements, specifications, budgets, design drivers, interfaces and system performance
• leading reviews as lead 5G/6G network representative
• preparing and implementing mission/system reviews with the project team
• leading a team of engineers and specialized support from other directorates
• monitoring overall system schedule, risks, and mitigation actions
• monitoring system activity completion within performance, schedule and cost
• supporting reporting to ESA management and Participating States
• participating in meetings with delegations and partners
• contributing to communication/outreach activities
• identifying challenges/opportunities for system evolutions and updates to architecture
• supporting future mission opportunities as required

Skills

SatCom systems

5G/6G networks engineering

Agile system engineering

Procurement processes

Risk management & cost control

Education

Master’s degree in relevant engineering

Bachelor’s degree + 4 years experience

Job description

D2D 5G/6G Network Lead Mission Engineer

Job Requisition ID: 20828

Date Posted: 7 September 2026

Closing Date: 28 September 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication Method: Internal & External

Type of Appointment (learn more): Fixed-Term

Directorate: Commercialisation and Industry Partnership

Workplace: Noordwijk, NL

Grade Band: A2 - A4

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.

Location

ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description

D2D 5G/6G Network Lead Mission Engineer in the D2D Project within the Communication Constellations and NG 5G6G NTN Partnerships Division in the Commercial Partnerships Department within the Directorate of Commercialisation and Industry Partnerships.

Reporting to the D2D Mission Manager, you will be responsible for all 5G/6G network development and procurement aspects for the Direct-to-Device (D2D) Partnership Projects (ELEOSYS and SELYCE) under the same Department.

You will be the focal point and day-to-day interface with the satellite operators and industrial prime contractors, and, under the leadership and authority of management, will be responsible for decision-making on behalf of the ESA Partnership Projects and for the design, development, qualification, on-ground verification and in-orbit validation of 5G/6G network elements, ensuring overall consistency with the mission requirements and end-to-end performances within schedule and cost.

Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) connectivity for Direct-to-Device (D2D) presents one of the greatest potential growth opportunities in satcom. The objective of the D2D partnership projects is to design, develop, qualify, integrate and validate satellite payload, platform and ground network innovative technologies using ESA Member States’ supply chain solutions in a pre-operational system showcasing emerging D2D services.

Duties

• leading and coordinating the definition, procurement, design, development, qualification, acceptance, deployment and ground- and in-orbit validation of the 5G/6G NTN system architecture for the D2D Partnership Projects;
• ensuring the alignment of the mission performances with the system requirements for the space, ground and user segments, and compliance with the specified requirements;
• supervising the development and validation of the 5G/6G NTN software protocol stack, both on board and on the ground, including end-to-end system integration and validation through testbeds and in-orbit demonstrations;
• leading the end-to-end integration of NTN payloads, RAN and core subsystems, and O-RAN/NTN-with the different ground architectures;
• ensuring technical consistency and effective coordination across the various project areas under the responsibility of the project team;
• interfacing with industrial counterparts to review, monitor and support contractors’ technical progress and implementation status;
• supporting, as required, industry tailoring and leading the subsequent application of ESA, international and industry standards;
• responsibility for the requirements and specifications, technical budgets, design drivers, internal and external interfaces, system performance and operational concepts, including their consistency with the mission requirements, specifications and technical budgets;
• managing, together with the operators and the industrial prime contractors, the system, subsystem and equipment reviews in your area of competence;
• participating in all level reviews as lead 5G/6G network representative of the department D2D projects;
• leading the preparation and implementation of mission, system, and lower-level reviews in cooperation with the project team and supporting the other project team engineers in other project lower-level reviews;
• leading a team of engineers and specialised engineering support from the Directorates of Technology, Engineering and Quality (D/TEC) and Operations (D/OPS);
• proactively monitoring the overall system schedule, identifying risks and problem areas, providing assessments and proposing mitigation actions from industry and the ESA side;
• monitoring the completion of system activities within technical performance, schedule and cost;
• monitoring system competitiveness through regular competitiveness meetings;
• supporting the Project Manager for regular technical, programmatic and financial reporting to ESA management and the Participating States;
• supporting meetings with delegations and partners, as required;
• contributing to relevant communication and outreach activities;
• identifying challenges and opportunities associated with system evolutions and proposing corresponding updates to the mission architecture and interfaces;
• supporting other activities of the Department, such as the preparation of future mission opportunities, as required, and relevant to your experience.

Technical competencies

Proven experience in SatCom systems specification, design, development, verification and end-to-end validation, ideally in the area of satellite constellations

Proven experience with 5G/6G telecom networks engineering, verification, end-to-end validation and operations, including large-scale ground software developments, ideally also in 5G/6G NTN networks

Experience in agile system engineering and model-based system engineering are distinct advantages

Knowledge of ESA or large industrial procurement processes and contracts negotiation

Knowledge of complex project risk management, industrial costs and schedule control

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 a relevant engineering discipline is required for this post together with 4 years of relevant professional experience. Alternatively, candidates with a bachelor’s degree, complemented by an additional four (4) years of relevant professional experience can be considered.

Additional Requirements

• Experience working in a cross-functional team and in promoting innovation through a creative collaboration process;
• Strong problem-solving skills to deal with day-to-day operational challenges, together with demonstrated planning and organisational skills;
• Ability to understand, and to clearly and concisely communicate complex technical issues to the team and external parties;
• Direct experience of working with a commercial telecommunication’s prime contractor and/or operator will be a distinct advantage. Experience with ESA’s Partnership Projects would be an asset.

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.

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.