Earth Observation Future Missions Optical Payload Engineer - Emerging Sensing Technologies

European Space Agency - ESA; Noordwijk; On-site; EUR 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

European Space Agency in Noordwijk seeks an Optical Payload Engineer for Emerging Sensing Technologies to drive end-to-end development of innovative EO payloads. You will integrate quantum, photonic and miniaturised sensors into future mission concepts with cross-divisional collaboration.

The role includes RTD coordination, performance modeling, and leading instrument readiness for Phase 0/Phase A, shaping technology roadmaps and mission concepts.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in engineering or physics with relevant experience.
• Experience in optical sensing technologies and payload development.
• Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams on EO missions.

Responsibilities

• Define and assess performance and readiness of emerging sensing payloads.
• Coordinate industrial contracts for study and risk retirement.
• Lead instrument pre-development activities and collaboration with project teams.
• Contribute to technology roadmaps and EO Quantum Sensing strategy.

Skills

Spaceborne optical instruments

Optical instrument development

Emerging sensing technologies

Innovation processes

Earth observation requirements

Education

Master's degree in engineering or physics

Tools

Performance analysis tools

Job description

Earth Observation Future Missions Optical Payload Engineer - Emerging Sensing Technologies

Job Requisition ID: 20355

Date Posted: 5 October 2026

Closing Date: 26 October 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication Method: Internal & External

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

Directorate: Earth Observation Programmes

Workplace:

Noordwijk, NL

Grade Band: A2 - A4

Location

ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description

Earth Observation (EO) Future Missions Optical Payload Engineer – Emerging Sensing Technologies in the Optical Instruments Section, Future Missions and Instruments Division, Future Missions and Architecture Department, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes.

Reporting to the Head of the Optical Instruments Section, you will be responsible for the end-to-end definition, engineering, technology breadboarding and pre-development of innovative optical payload systems for EO future missions. These systems will leverage emerging sensing technologies, such as quantum sensors, photonic sensors, freeform optics and miniaturised cameras or spectrometers. You will also work on optical payloads based on more classical optical systems, including imagers and spectrometers. Your role will involve collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure the successful integration of innovative technologies into future payload concepts.

You will be responsible for identifying and investigating new observation principles and technologies, maintaining awareness of relevant R&D activities, and coordinating with both internal and external partners. You will contribute to defining the roadmap for these technologies and will be actively involved in the pre‑development of one or more of them. You will be appointed as the instrument lead for a future mission during Phase 0 or Phase A.

Duties

• identifying and investigating new observation principles and techniques related to emerging sensing technologies for Earth observation (EO) future missions in coordination with staff from your Department, the Science, Applications and Climate Department and the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality, including contact with research and technical groups;
• maintaining knowledge of relevant emerging sensing technology and sensor development programmes inside and outside ESA, including developments undertaken by other space agencies in Europe and worldwide, as well as commercial initiatives in close collaboration with the Division’s Technology Coordination and Frequency Management Section;
• maintaining awareness of relevant emerging sensing technology R&D and coordinating with other ESA directorates;
• defining and assessing the performance and technological readiness of new emerging sensing payloads and systems in close collaboration with the EO system engineers of the Division’s Mission and System Studies Section, taking into account mission, system and programmatic objectives and requirements;
• defining, negotiating, initiating and managing industrial contracts for the study and risk retirement of new emerging sensing payload systems, according to the agreed FutureEO activity plan;
• performing risk-retirement activities through technology breadboarding and pre‑development of emerging sensors for EO future missions up to their completion, coordinating instrument pre‑development activities with project teams when required;
• developing ground‑based or airborne instrument models, according to the concept’s maturity and performance‑demonstration needs;
• being the optical instrument lead for EO future missions in Phase 0 or Phase A;
• acting as the focal point in the Division for all aspects relating to emerging sensing technologies of missions undergoing evaluation or preparation, including the evaluation of mission proposals, payload system support for Phase 0/A and mission architecture studies, and contributing to the preparation of technical and scientific dossiers on new EO research and operational missions;
• contributing to the implementation of the EO Quantum Sensing Strategy and roadmap within the FutureEO programme, as well as preparing work/action plans for the development of the strategy;
• contributing to the development and maintenance of technology roadmaps for other emerging sensors as well as preparing work/action plans for their development;
• working closely with other staff from the Future Missions and Instruments Division and your Directorate. You will also liaise with the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality and other Directorates involved in future emerging sensor activities. In this context, you will also be expected to help the team through collaboration, knowledge sharing and domain‑specific training.

Technical competencies

• Knowledge of spaceborne optical instruments for Earth observation missions
• Experience in optical instrument developments and performance calculations
• Knowledge of optical remote sensing techniques and understanding of Earth observation user needs
• Knowledge and experience of the domain of emerging sensing technologies
• Knowledge of innovation‑related processes

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 or physics is required for this post together with 5 years of relevant professional experience.

Additional Requirements

• Experience in innovative optical sensing technologies such as quantum sensors, photonic sensors, freeform optics, miniaturised cameras or spectrometers.
• Experience of working in team or project environment is required.
• Strong motivation for investigating new sensing concepts involving emerging technologies is required.
• You should have good interpersonal skills and be able to work, coordinate and interact within small teams as well as autonomously.
• You should be able to coordinate and iterate with Earth observation scientists and users for the definition of mission needs and requirements.
• You will be expected to contribute to a dynamic and creative environment in preparatory phases of EO missions.
• Experience in the development of mission and instrument performance analysis models/tools for EO optical instruments 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.

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.