Lead End-to-End Performance Engineer

EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY; Noordwijk; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

European Space Agency in Noordwijk, Netherlands, seeks a Lead End-to-End Performance Engineer for the SAGA Project. You will oversee end-to-end system performance across space, ground and user segments, coordinating with industry partners to ensure requirements traceability and timely delivery.

You will lead a multidisciplinary team, build performance models, monitor budgets and risks, and support verification across mission phases, fostering collaboration and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in engineering with 4 years of relevant professional experience; or Bachelor's degree with 8 years of relevant professional experience.
• Experience with system-level Assembly, Integration & Test (AIT).
• Knowledge of ESA procurement processes and project risk management.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end system performance of the SAGA mission with industry partners.
• Define and allocate mission and system requirements across interfaces.
• Monitor traceability of requirements from user/service to system and equipment level.
• Develop and manage system performance models and budgets across all mission phases.
• Coordinate verification activities and address deviations/waivers.
• Lead a multidisciplinary team of engineers and engineering support.

Skills

System engineering

End-to-end performance

Requirements traceability

Systems integration & testing

Project risk management

Procurement knowledge

Team leadership

Education

Master's degree in engineering

Bachelor's degree + 4 years experience

Job description

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Closing Date: 7 November 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication Method: Internal & External

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

Directorate: Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity

Lead End-to-End Performance Engineer, reporting to SAGA Project Manager within the RNCProjects Department in the Directorate of Resiliance, Navigation and Connectivity.

The SAGA Project aims to develop and deploy an end-to-end space mission for Quantum KeyDistribution. The project focuses on the development of critical QKD technologies by Europeanindustry up to preliminary service validation, which will become the EuroQCI 1st Generationcomponent (space and related ground/user segment) and shall help to prepare for a EuroQCIoperational system definition.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• manage the overall end-to-end system performance of the SAGA mission in close co-operation with industry;
• lead the definition of all mission and system requirements, including external andinternal (between segments) interface requirements, and allocating segmentrequirements;
• monitor the traceability of requirements from user/service, to mission, to system, to segment and down to equipment/payload level;
• manage performance models to estimate system-level performances of the SAGA mission (space, ground and user segments);
• monitor and maintain the system level and segment performance budgets in line with SAGA mission requirements and space segment design during all mission phases;
• monitor industrial development and verification activities to ensure proper verification including resolving non-conformances; supporting the assessment of deviations, waivers;
• moordinate with PA, Space Segment, Payload & User segment and Security leads during development, integration and testing activities for the resolution of activity deviations;
• provide regular reporting to project management on all aspects of competence, identifying risks and problem areas and proposing mitigation actions, where appropriate;
• contribute to the management of the schedule and propose schedule risk mitigation actions within the area of responsibility;
• monitor the industrial preparation for in-orbit spacecraft commissioning and service provision in collaboration with project teams and ground teams, as necessary;
• potentially assuming responsibility, delegated from the SAGA Project Manager, for programmatic aspects, and directly interacting with delegations and partners as required;
• lead a team of engineers and specialised engineering support from the ESA Technology, Engineering, Quality and Operations Directorates.

Multi-disciplinary and comprehensive knowledge of equipment, subsystem, satellite and overall mission requirments definiton, design and development

Experience with system level Assembly Integration & Test

Knowledge of ESA procurement processes

Understanding of industrial costs, schedule and project risk management processes

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

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

Additional requirements

Relevant previous project experience and, in particular, technical competence inOptical and/or QKD technology is a distinctive asset

You should have the ability to adapt to new working methods and environments. Youmust be able to build efficient working relationships, communicate effectively andcontribute to fostering positive attitudes to change and, thus, to the success of aninnovative programme.

In addition, you should have:

• strong result orientation with the ability to set priorities and present practical solutionsboth orally and in writing;
• strong problem-solving skills to deal with day-to-day challenges proactively andconstructively;
• the ability to anticipate risks and identify the need for additional expert support in atimely manner;
• understanding of and experience in tailoring space standards;
• the ability to manage challenging situations proactively and constructively and to becustomer-focused.

An experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities is 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 & 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.