For more than 40 years, CS GROUP has been successfully providing turnkey systems and engineering services for the space and applications markets. With a workforce of 480 engineers combining advanced and unique skills in both information technology and space data engineering, CS GROUP is a major and trusted long-term partner of space and defence agencies, satellite prime contractors and operators, and users of space data.  We are now located in 5 different European countries, including Germany and the Netherlands and intend to extend both our footprint and our customer portfolio.

This position is supporting our client ESA at their ESTEC location in Noordwijk in the Netherlands. In this large European agency, you will find an excellent and modern working environment with challenging tasks and responsibilities with the opportunity to gain exposure to various projects and missions at the heart of European space research and development.

If you are successful in this position you are guaranteed a very competitive salary, a permanent Dutch contract, Industry leading base salary, full healthcare, pension contribution, 30 days’ vacation, annual training budget, access to the ESTEC social club membership and a relocation package if required.

You will be working as an On-Board Computer and Data Handling Engineer in the On-Board Computer & Data Handling Section, Data Systems, Microelectronics & Component Technology Division, Electrical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering & Quality.

The On-Board Computer & Data Handling Section provides functional support to ESA projects and carries out technological research (R&D) what concerns turn-key on-board HW Data Handling solutions with emphasis on:

• platform and payload data handling architectures and their building blocks (equipment/units, modules and key components);
• units such as on-board computers, mass memories, remote terminals, instrument control units*;
• digital and analogue signal processing electronics for payload/platform functions;
• front-end acquisition and processing chain electronics*;
• on-board data transfer interfaces, buses and associated protocols (high and low speed);
• platform data handling functions related to security, data authentication, encryption, compression;
• use of microelectronics devices.
• implementation, inference, verification and validation of algorithms** on processing HW platforms for space applications* in close collaboration with other discipline experts (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 field of platform and payload data handling systems throughout all project phases;
• participating in feasibility studies, project reviews and evaluation of procurement proposals;
• identifying critical development problems and assisting in their resolution;
• contributing to the definition of technology development requirements and work plans for the Agency’s technology programmes;
• defining, initiating and managing R&D activities covering both long- and short-term needs;
• fostering new application areas for multidisciplinary activities, placing emphasis on innovative concepts, cutting-edge technologies and system architectures;
• laboratory activities as required;
• monitoring applicable scientific and technological trends and maintaining state-ofthe-art expertise;
• contributing to the dissemination of the results of the activities performed and the transfer of knowledge across the Agency.

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

You will have a general background and specific experience in the technical domains covered by the position (data handling system engineering and data handling units development)

You will have specifically hands-on experience in:

• The development and verification of space hardware
• Related technologies, R&D trends and the industrial landscape
• Project support experience in a relevant domain
• Spacecraft systems knowledge
• The preparation of procurement activities for technology development and innovation (statements of work, proposal evaluation, etc)