On-board Computers and Data Handling Engineer (3 Positions)

ESA Space Mechanisms; Noordwijk; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

ESA Space Mechanisms in Noordwijk, Netherlands seeks an On-board Computers and Data Handling Engineer to support the Avionics and EEE Division. The role covers architecture, testing and integration of data processing hardware for space missions, with emphasis on AI/ML-enabled solutions and secure data handling.

You will contribute to technology roadmaps, manage R&D activities and collaborate with software, microelectronics and applications engineers to realise robust, radiation-tolerant systems.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in electronics, electrical engineering, networks, telecoms or related field is required.
• In principle, 10 years of relevant professional experience is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects in onboard data handling.
• Participate in feasibility studies, reviews and evaluations of procurement proposals.
• Identify critical development problems and assist in their resolution.
• Contribute to defining technology development requirements, roadmaps and work plans.
• Define and manage R&D activities addressing short- and long-term ESA mission needs.
• Foster new application areas with multidisciplinary teams and cutting-edge tech.
• Conduct laboratory activities as required and monitor trends in the field.
• Disseminate results and promote knowledge transfer across the Agency.

Skills

Onboard computers

Data handling

Hardware development

FPGA/ASIC design

System architecture

Troubleshooting

Project support

Education

Master's degree in electronics or related field

~10 years relevant experience

Tools

FPGA

Verilog/VHDL

MATLAB/Simulink

Radiation-hardened design

Job description

Location

ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands. This vacancy is published to recruit for either: an appointment of 4 years, extendable to an indefinite duration; or a fixed-term appointment with an initial duration of 4 years that depending on performance and organisational needs, may be extended up to a maximum total duration of 8 years.

Description

On-board Computers and Data Handling Engineer in the Data Handling Section, Avionics and EEE Division, Electrical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

The Data Handling Section Provides Functional Support To ESA Projects And Carries Out Technological Research And Development (R&D) Concerning Turnkey Onboard Hardware Data Handling Solutions, With An Emphasis On

• platform and payload data handling architectures and their building blocks (equipment/units, modules and key components);
• platform units such as onboard computers, mass memories, remote terminals and instrument control units*;
• digital and analogue signal processing electronics for payload/platform functions*;
• front-end acquisition and processing chain electronics*;
• interfaces, buses, networks and associated protocols (high, medium and low speed), for onboard data transfers, and command and control functions;
• platform data handling functions related to security, data authentication, encryption/decryption and compression;
• the use of microelectronics devices, including COTS, in the development of platform data handling and payload data processing equipment;
• the implementation, inference, verification and validation of algorithms** on data processing hardware platforms for space applications** in close collaboration with other discipline experts, such as software, microelectronics and applications engineers.
• except for RF payloads.
• including artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms.

Duties

You will report to the Head of Section and within the technical fields described above, your main tasks and responsibilities will include:

• providing expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects, programmes and general studies in the fields of onboard computers, platform and payload data handling and processing systems, throughout all project phases;
• participating in feasibility studies, project reviews, and evaluations of procurement proposals;
• identifying critical development problems and assisting in their resolution;
• contributing to the definition of technology development requirements, roadmaps and work plans for the Agency's technology programmes;
• defining, initiating and managing R&D activities addressing both short- and long-term ESA mission needs;
• fostering new application areas for multidisciplinary activities, placing emphasis on innovative concepts, cutting-edge technologies and system architectures;
• conducting laboratory activities as required;
• monitoring applicable scientific and technological trends and maintaining state-of-the-art expertise;
• contributing to the dissemination of the results of the activities performed and the transfer of knowledge and lessons learned across the Agency.

Your duties may also include supporting other activities within your field of competence.

Technical competencies

• General background and specific experience in the technical domains covered by the position
• Hands-on hardware development and testing experience for onboard data handling and payload data processing elements (modules and units)
• Understanding of related technologies, R&D trends and the industrial landscape
• Project support experience in a relevant domain
• Experience in the preparation of procurement activities for technology development and innovation, such as statements of work, proposal reviews and evaluations
• Experience in the management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in reviews
• Experience in technology roadmap definition and harmonisation

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 electronics, electrical engineering, networks, telecommunications or a related field is required for this post together with, in principle, 10 years of relevant professional experience.

Additional Requirements

At least 10 years of professional experience in the following:

• Design, review, simulation and verification of end-to-end processing chains and data handling architectures;
• Design, review, simulation, manufacturing and testing of platform and payload data handling and processing equipment, modules and boards, with a particular focus on onboard computers;
• Implementation of platform and payload data handling and processing equipment utilising FPGAs/processors/ microcontrollers, single-point-of-failure-free circuit design, failure containment strategies, and the use of radiation-hardened, tolerant, or COTS components with radiation mitigation techniques;
• Implementation and testing of data handling and processing modules and units in a laboratory environment.

Knowledge of the following fields would be considered an asset:

• Design and use of electrical ground support equipment, in support of the development and testing of data handling and data processing units and modules (onboard computers, mass memories, instrument control units, remote terminal/interface units, and payload data processing units);
• Design and use of electrical ground support equipment for supporting instruments or satellite data handling/processing AIT activities;
• Knowledge of security protocols and functions, such as encryption, decryption, authentication and key distribution, and their hardware implementations, as applied in avionics and data handling systems;
• Understanding of security considerations – risks, vulnerabilities, threats and mitigation methods – as applied to avionics and data handling systems;
• Failure detection, isolation and recovery design and analysis for avionics and data handling systems;
• Implementation, inference, training, verification and validation of machine learning algorithms on hardware platforms for space or terrestrial applications;
• Knowledge of model-based system engineering tools and methodologies for the modelling and design of avionics and data handling systems;
• Participation in technical and organisational committees for conferences and workshops.

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.