Microwave/Mm-Wave Technology and Equipment Engineer

Qabird; Noordwijk; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Travel allowance

Home office allowance

Desk/chair reimbursement

Bicycle scheme

Job summary

Serco is seeking a Microwave/Mm-Wave Technology and Equipment Engineer to join the ESTEC team in Noordwijk, Netherlands.

The role focuses on RF test engineering for space and ground segments, developing test beds, and maintaining laboratory facilities with emphasis on measurements for GNSS, telecom, EO or science payloads.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Physics, Microwave, Telecommunications or Electronics Engineering.
• At least 2 years of experience in laboratory testing activities.
• Good understanding of space environment, testing practices and technologies for space applications.
• Skilled in operation of vacuum chambers and/or test software development.
• Comfortable with working in a diverse and multinational team environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational/communication skills.
• Proficient in English (written and spoken).
• EU nationals required.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to development/usage of laboratory facilities and analysis/simulation tools.
• Provide expert technical support to RF equipment testing for space and ground segments.
• Provide test engineering support to ESA projects and R&D programmes.
• Develop test beds and characterize RF equipment/payloads (e.g., clocks, oscillators, converters, MMICs).
• Develop software (LabVIEW or Python) for automated testing, control and monitoring of device performance.
• Contribute to development and maintenance of laboratory facilities.

Skills

LabVIEW

Python

Education

Master’s degree in Physics / Microwave / Telecommunications / Electronics Engineering

Tools

Vacuum chambers

Test software development

Job description

Description

For more than half a century, Serco has walked alongside the pioneers of space. Serco has supported over 50 ESA missions where our teams have helped launch satellites, guide spacecraft across the void and turn data into discoveries that reshape our world. With thousands of specialists contributing across the entire space lifecycle from satellite testing to launch services, LEOP to operations and surveillance, we’ve become a trusted force in national And European space strategies. And now, the next chapter could include you.

As part of our long-standing partnership with the European Space Agency, we are looking for a Microwave/Mm-Wave Technology and Equipment Engineer to join our team at ESTEC in Noordwijk.

Responsibilities

• Contributing the to the development/usage of section related laboratory facilities and analysis/simulation tools
• Provide expert technical support to the testing of RF equipment and technologies applicable to space and ground segments
• Provide test engineering support to ESA projects and R&D programmes
• Development of test beds and characterization of RF Equipment/Payloads, such as:
  • Time & frequency equipment e.g. atomic clocks, oscillators, control units, converters
  • RF active equipment e.g. high-power amplifier, low noise amplifier, MMICs, Transmit/Receive modules
  • RF passive equipment e.g. filters, switches, ferrite devices
  • RF Payloads or subsystems for GNSS, Telecom, EO or Science applications
  • Life- and TVAC testing
• Development of software (e.g. Lab View or Python) for automated testing, control and monitoring of device/payload performance
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of laboratory facilities

Profile

• Master’s degree in Physics, Microwave, Telecommunications or Electronics Engineering
• At least 2 years of experience in laboratory testing activities
• Good understanding of space environment, testing practices and technologies for space applications
• Skilled in operation of vacuum chambers and/or test software development
• Comfortable with working in a diverse and multinational team environment
• Excellent interpersonal skills are needed, together with a high degree organizational and communication abilities
• Proficient in the English language, both written and spoken
• Candidates must be EU nationals

What we Offer: More than just a job

At Serco, we believe that a career should come with more than just a paycheck, it should provide support, security, and a sense of balance in your life. Your salary will be paid promptly on Fridays before the 28th of each month, giving you peace of mind about your finances.

We support your daily life and commute in practical ways. If you travel to work, you can claim a travel allowance of €0.21 per kilometre for up to 150 km, or you can have your public transport fully reimbursed. For those working from home, there’s a small daily allowance of €2 to cover extra costs, and new employees can be reimbursed up to €500 for a desk or chair to make their home workspace comfortable.

When your work takes you on missions or travel, all business-related expenses are fully covered, and for peace of mind during tax season, our appointed advisor will assist you in completing your income tax forms. If you enjoy cycling, our bicycle scheme allows you to benefit from a tax-efficient allowance of up to €749, one year of full insurance with an additional €89 per year for accessories.

Serco also cares about your long-term security. All employees are covered under a collective life insurance scheme, and our health insurance partnership with Zilverenkruis Achmea offers discounts of 5% on basic coverage and up to 10% on additional plans. Our company pension scheme, managed via Nationale Nederlanden, follows the Dutch State Pension framework, ensuring you can plan confidently for the future.

In addition, in emergency situations, you may request an advance salary payment of up to one month’s net salary at the discretion of your line manager. To support your wellbeing and daily work, we offer up to €250 reimbursement for work glasses to reduce blue light strain and provide access to Benefits & Work, offering multiple discounts for online shopping. For lifelong learning, all employees receive a 35% discount on programs at Webster University.

At Serco, our benefits are designed to make your life easier, healthier, and more flexible, so you can focus on contributing to groundbreaking space missions while feeling supported every step of the way.

Relocation

The Netherlands' central location in Europe makes it an ideal base for travel and business within the EU. Major cities are well-connected by road, rail, and air with Amsterdam Schiphol Airport one of Europe's busiest and most well-connected airports, facilitating easy international travel. Serco offers relocation support for all EU passport holders that are planning to relocate to the Netherlands and work for Serco B.V.