RF Payloads Plus Microwave & Mmwaves Technology Equipment Engineer

Akkodis; Noordwijk; On-site; EUR 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Akkodis is seeking an RF Payloads Plus Microwave/Mm-Wave Technology and Equipment Engineer (E3) to join our Aerospace team, onsite at the European Space Agency in the Netherlands. The role focuses on RF payloads, time & frequency equipment, and laboratory test development within ESA/ESTEC facilities.

Ideal candidates hold an MSc in Microwave/Physics with 4+ years in microwave components and RF technologies for space, and have hands-on lab experience.

Qualifications

• MSc in Microwave, Physics or related discipline with at least 4 years of experience in microwave components, equipment and/or technologies.
• Several years of experience in developing RF passive and active equipment for space applications.
• Experience with RF design and 3D electromagnetic tools.
• Several years of experience in project support activities, managing suppliers and subcontractors.
• Experience in modelling, evaluation and verification of High Power RF phenomena (multipaction, corona, power handling, PIM).
• Good understanding of space environment and development constraints for space RF equipment.

Responsibilities

• Development of test beds and characterization of RF Equipment/Payloads (atomic clocks, oscillators, control units, converters).
• Development of software (LabVIEW, Python, Matlab) for automated testing and monitoring of device performance.
• Contribute to ESTEC UTC facility and analysis/simulation tools.
• Develop and maintain laboratory facilities and infrastructure.
• Propose innovative test setups to improve laboratory efficiency and performance.

Skills

RF design knowledge

Lab testing techniques

Time & frequency equipment handling

Education

MSc in Microwave Physics or related

Tools

3D electromagnetic tools

RF design tools

Job description

We are looking for an RF Payloads Plus Microwave/Mm-Wave Technology and Equipment Engineer (E3) to join our Akkodis Aerospace team, working onsite at the European Space Agency in the Netherlands.

Akkodis has proudly supported the Aerospace & Defence industry in the Netherlands for decades. Our partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA) has been one of the many success stories allowing our people to expand their career horizons. Akkodis experts are contributing to some of the most important technical advances in Aerospace and Defence which impact the way we live our lives today, through specialised engineering expertise and other required skillsets. This could be your future. Become part of our successful team!

Specific tasks to be performed:

• Development of test beds and characterization of RF Equipment/Payloads, such as:
• Time & frequency equipment e.g. atomic clocks, oscillators, control units, converters, Time and frequency transfer units.
• Life- and TVAC testing.
• Development of software (e.g. Lab View or Python, Matlab) for automated testing, control and monitoring of device/payload performance;
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of section’s laboratory facilities, including ESTEC’s UTC facility and its associated analysis/simulation tools;
• Contribute to the evolution of section’s laboratory facilities, in terms of infrastructure and technical capabilities
• Propose ideas about innovative test setups and implement them to improve the efficiency and the performance of the laboratory

General tasks to be performed:

• Contributing to the design, development and performance evaluation of RF technologies applicable to space and ground segments, including:
• Specification, development and procurement of RF equipment and sub-systems;
• Device, module, equipment performance evaluation and characterization.
• Providing expert technical support to projects and programmes;
• Contributing to the generation of innovative ideas in the field of RF equipment and technologies and to the definition of ESA R&D programmes;
• Defining technical requirements for the new developments from early conceptual studies to full hardware development;
• Contributing the to the development/usage of section related laboratory facilities and analysis/simulation tools;
• Monitoring applicable scientific and technological trends;

To successfully perform the above mentioned tasks, the following background / experience is required:

• MSc in Microwave, Physics or any related discipline, combined with at least 4 years of experience in the domain of microwave components, equipment and/or technologies.
• Several years of experience in the development of RF Passive and Active equipment and technologies, preferably for space applications.
• Several years of experience in using RF design and 3D Electromagnetic tools.
• Several years of experience in Project support activities, managing suppliers and subcontractors.
• Several years of experience in the modelling, evaluation and verification of High Power RF phenomena i.e. Multipaction, Corona, power handling, passive intermodulation.
• Good understanding of space environment and development constraints of RF equipment and technologies for space applications.
• Experience in working with vacuum chambers.
• Experience in Atomic Clocks and Time & Frequency Equipment is seen as a valuable asset.
• Willingness to work in the laboratory for 95% of your time.

About ESA-ESTEC

The European Space Agency (ESA) has sites in several European countries.

The European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), has grown into ESA’s largest establishment and the technical and organizational hub of Europe’s space sector. Missions designed and tested at ESTEC are circling Earth, have landed on planetary bodies and have probed far into the Solar System.

The infrastructure and equipment assembled here, together with the expert knowhow of its 2800 personnel, make ESTEC a unique resource for Europe. The work done here by teams skilled in every aspect of engineering for space has enabled the creation of novel communication, navigation and information services, creating new jobs and growth while improving the lives of European and world citizens.