Navigation Systems Evolution Engineer

EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY; Noordwijk; Remote; EUR 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

European Space Agency is seeking a Navigation Systems Evolution Engineer within the Navigation Systems Definition Section (TEC‑SEN) of the End to end Systems Division, Systems Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality. The role focuses on PNT, geolocation, and the end-to-end engineering of positioning and timing systems across space, ground, and user segments.

You will lead or provide expert support in definition, design and development, with opportunities to work on

Qualifications

• Master's degree required in telecoms/electronics/aerospace.
• Experience in international/multidisciplinary environments.
• Knowledge of GNSS/PNT systems, signals and receiver concepts.
• Experience with laboratory or field testing of relevant equipment.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to and lead expert technical support for PNT and geolocation projects.
• Define and develop PNT system evolutions and related architectures.
• Support and manage R&D activities in PNT and geolocation domains.
• Define technology development requirements for ESA's programmes.
• Monitor trends and maintain state-of-the-art capabilities.
• Disseminate results and transfer knowledge across the Agency.

Skills

GNSS/PNT systems

PNT system evolutions

RFI monitoring

International environment

System architecture knowledge

Education

Master's in telecommunications/electronics/aerospace

Job description

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Closing Date: 22 October 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Directorate: Technology, Engineering and Quality

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.

Description

Navigation Systems Evolution Engineer in the Navigation Systems Definition Section, End to end Systems Division, Systems Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.
The Navigation Systems Definition Section (TEC-SEN) leads or provides support to the Agency’s activities that require expertise in the definition, design and development of positioning, navigation, timing and geolocation systems.

The positioning, navigation, timing and geolocation domain covers the end-to-end engineering of positioning, navigation, timing and geolocation systems at system, space, ground and user segment level, covering links, elements and equipment, system concepts, and all related techniques and technologies for Earth, space and Solar System applications, system/segment/payload system architectures and performance, signal-in-space and signal processing, GNSS receivers, algorithms, OD&TS, formation-flying and RF/optical metrology.

Duties

You will report to the Head of the Navigation Systems Definition Section and, in the technical fields above, your main tasks and responsibilities will involve:

• contributing, leading and/or providing expert technical support to ESA projects, programmes and general studies in the field of positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) and geolocation for Earth and space applications, throughout all project phases, with a focus on the definition, design and development phases;


• contributing, leading and/or providing expert technical support to the definition, design and development of PNT system evolutions, including multilayer systems and related technologies, and covering end-to-end system, architecture, signal, performance, receiver, algorithms and payload system architecture aspects, among others;


• contributing, leading and/or providing expert technical support to the definition, design and development of multilayer and multidomain (PNT, Earth observation and telecommunications) resilience and governmental satellite systems, techniques and technologies;


• contributing, leading and/or providing expert technical support to the definition, design and evolution of current and future ESA and EU projects and programmes, covering open and governmental services, as well as integrated systems, including ESA/EU PNT (Galileo, LEO-PNT, EGNOS, Opstar), European Resilience from Space (ERS) and ERS SoS (EO/SAR, Comms and PNT), deep-space PNT (Moonlight, Novamoon, Lightship, SSI Navigation), future demonstrators (RFI geolocation, formation-flying satellite systems), and R&D and innovation programmes;


• participating in and/or leading feasibility studies, project reviews and the evaluation of procurement proposals;


• defining and performing internal R&D activities within the field of competence of the Section; and initiating and managing R&D activities covering both long- and short-term needs;


• contributing to the definition of technology development requirements and work plans for the Agency’s technology programmes;


• fostering new application areas for multidisciplinary activities, with an emphasis on innovative concepts, cutting-edge technologies and system architectures;


• defining, initiating, implementing and/or managing laboratory activities as required;


• monitoring applicable scientific and technology trends and maintaining state-of-the-art expertise;


• contributing to the dissemination of the results of activities performed and the transfer of knowledge across the Agency.

Your duties may also include supporting and/or leading other activities within your field of competence and the transfer of knowledge across the Agency.

General background and specific experience in the technical domains covered by the position

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

Project support experience in a relevant domain

Experience with laboratory or field testing of relevant technical equipment

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

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

A master's degree in telecommunications, electronics, aerospace engineering or similar is required for this post.

Additional requirements

You have solid expertise and several years of professional experience in several of the following areas:

• GNSS/PNT systems, architecture, signals, performance, algorithms, receiver techniques, payload system architecture and all related technologies;


• Galileo PRS and non-PRS;


• LEO-PNT;


• Deep-space navigation for Moon/Mars/Solar System;


• RFI monitoring and geolocation;


• Governmental satellite systems;


• EO/SAR satellite systems, signals, techniques and payload system architecture;


• Telecom satellite systems, signals, techniques and payload system architecture;


• Fused PNT;


• Integrated PNT/telecom/remote sensing;


• Signal processing applied to PNT, geolocation, telecom and/or EO/SAR systems and applications.

Experience in the design and evolution of ESA and EU navigation/geolocation systems, signals and/or receivers would be considered an asset.
You have experience of working in international and multidisciplinary environments.

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.