HE Space is a successful international space company. For 40 years, we have been supporting our customers with qualified experts in the field of engineering, science and administration.

As part of the Technology, Engineering and Quality Directorate, you will have the following responsibilities:

• Validation of designs by means of simulation techniques (e.g., MATLAB, SystemC and simulations at electrical/board level);
• Knowledge of on-board links, buses, wireless local networking and communication protocols;
• Specific engineering support in the above domains to mainstream ESA space projects, mainly for (but not restricted to) the development and testing phases; 
• Design, implementation and testing tasks for the Section´s technological projects (e.g., small technology demonstration satellites);
• Design, implementation and testing tasks related to standardisation efforts (e.g. CCSDS CFDP standard consolidation and validation, On Board Interfaces Services, Electronic Data Sheets); 
• 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 control functions; 
• Front-end acquisition and processing chain electronics;
• Platform data handling functions related to security, data authentication, encryption, compression, machine learning and artificial intelligence; 
• Use of microelectronics devices;
• Report to the Head of Section and, within the technical fields described above, the main tasks and responsibilities will include:
  • Providing technical support 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 the 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 supporting R&D activities covering both long- and short-term needs;
  • Fostering new application areas for multidisciplinary activities, with an emphasis on innovative concepts, cutting-edge technologies and system architectures;
  • 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 across the Agency.

You will have the following qualifications and relevant experience:

• Master´s degree or PhD in electronics, networks, telecommunications or a related field is required;
• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in the fields of space hardware related to platform and payload data handling equipment (units, modules and boards), including the ability to design, review and simulate analogue and digital electronics for data handling units (use of FPGA/processors/micro-controllers, single-point-failure-free circuitry, failure containment techniques and use of COTS with radiation mitigation techniques);
• Understanding of electrical satellite systems architectures;
• Deep knowledge of data handling functions and their implementation;
• Knowledge of CCSDS communication protocols and related standards;
• Extensive knowledge of intra-satellite communication protocols (Mil1553, CAN,
• SpaceWire);
• Experience in equipment procurement, sub-systems integration and testing;
• Experience in spacecraft project support, in particular related to spacecraft data;
• Handling, on-board data interfaces, associated protocols and system level validation;
• Ability to work in an autonomous manner, in particular when providing support to projects with high time allocations and this in coordination with the line manager;
• Knowledge in the following fields will be considered as asset;
  • Design and Use of Data Handling Electrical Ground Support Equipment (EGSE);
  • Design, validation and verification of AI/ML Processing Algorithm inferred on HW/SW platform(s);
  • Design of electronic boards for radiation testing of analogue and digital circuitry based on COTS.
• Fluency in English is mandatory; knowledge of another European language is an advantage.

This job is located in Noordwijk.

If you think you have what it takes for this job, please send your CV (in English and in Word or PDF) to Vicente Gracia, by clicking on the button “I´m interested” quoting job NL-HP-5075.

Deadline to apply: 9th May 2023.

An exciting and dynamic international working environment awaits you!