Technical Infrastructure Engineer

European Space Agency - ESA; Noordwijk; On-site; EUR 50.000 - 80.000; Full time

Job summary

The European Space Agency (ESA) seeks a Technical Infrastructure Engineer responsible for managing test facilities and technical infrastructure at ESTEC, Noordwijk. The role involves overseeing infrastructure management, coordinating lab activities, and ensuring compliance with policies. Ideal candidates have a master's in engineering and hands-on experience in laboratory settings.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in an engineering discipline required.
• Good experience in maintaining technical infrastructure.
• Experience with quality management systems.

Responsibilities

• Manage technical infrastructure and formulate investment schedules.
• Coordinate procurement and maintenance activities.
• Facilitate laboratory activities and optimize resource use.

Skills

Hands-on laboratory experience

Communication tools

Organisational skills

Reporting skills

Knowledge of procurement processes

Laboratory management processes

Education

Master's degree in an engineering discipline

Tools

SharePoint

Microsoft Teams

Job description

Job Requisition ID: 19715

Date Posted: 8 July 2025

Application Deadline: 31 August 2025 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication: Internal & External

Type of Contract: Fixed-Term

Directorate: Technology, Engineering and Quality

Workplace: Noordwijk, NL

Grade Band: A2 - A4

This is a non-renewable post for a limited duration of 4 years.

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description
Technical Infrastructure Engineer, Test Facilities and Laboratories Section, TEC Test Facilities and Infrastructure Office , Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality (TEC).

The Test Facilities and Infrastructure Office is responsible for managing the facilities of the ESTEC Test Centre, providing engineering services to all ESA laboratories, ESA programmes and Test Centre customers, managing the facilities of all TEC laboratories with the support of TEC departments, and managing TEC’s IT-related infrastructure.

Duties
You will report to the Head of the Test Facilities and Laboratories Section and to the Head of the TEC Test Facilities and Infrastructure Office, and you will contribute to the efficient management and evolution of the Directorate’s technical infrastructure and support tools.

Your main duties will include:

• managing the technical infrastructure with the support of TEC departments, identifying the necessary evolutions, formulating the related multi-year schedule for investments and maintenance, and establishing priorities and possible synergies;
• ensuring the timely and efficient implementation of agreed infrastructure activities, reviewing the progress status;
• proposing remedial measures and coordinating with ESA Corporate Services, as necessary;
• providing common services and tools to support infrastructure management, coordinating the related procurement and maintenance activities and supporting laboratories in their initiatives;
• facilitating laboratory activities, monitoring the use of facilities and proposing solutions to optimise their use in relation to resources and infrastructure availability;
• contributing to a centralised function for the Directorate's inventory and asset management, maintaining an up-to-date list of technical infrastructure and monitoring its evolution;
• fostering cooperation with external entities to ensure the exploitation of the technical infrastructure, facilitating access to European space actors;
• ensuring effective communication with internal and external stakeholders and supporting the smooth implementation of third-party services;
• acting as the Directorate's focal point for the coordination and follow-up of actions related to technical infrastructure reporting;
• managing the common laboratory service contracts of the TEC Test Facilities and Infrastructure Office;
• monitoring activities in the laboratories, ensuring compliance with TEC policies and procedures.

Technical competencies
Hands-on laboratory experience

Knowledge of and experience in communication and associated tools

Organisational and reporting skills

Knowledge of procurement processes and service-based procurements

Knowledge of and experience in processes and tools for laboratory management

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

For more information, please refer to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook.

Education
A master's degree in an engineering discipline in the TEC engineering and testing laboratory domain is required for this post.

Additional requirements
Knowledge and understanding of the Agency's core business, specifically that of the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality
Good experience in maintaining and operating technical infrastructure
Good experience in quality management systems
Good experience in SharePoint and Teams and laboratory management IT tools

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, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.

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, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.

According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States*. When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates and secondly to external candidates from under-represented 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.

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.

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