Young Graduate Trainee in Next Generation Ground Systems for New Space

Young Graduate Opportunity in the Directorate of Operations

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.

This post is classified F1 on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale .

Location

ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany 

The Ground Systems Engineering and Innovation Department is responsible for ground systems engineering and support activities required to support mission operations and implement innovation.

The Department maintains and manages a full level of competences, technologies and services in all engineering disciplines related to ground systems, infrastructure, technology evolution and Engineering R&T and innovation. The Department provides expert support in these areas in matrix organisation of ESA to all program directorates for all current and potential missions. It leads, in the role of architect, ground systems evolution and innovation implementation in the infrastructure. The Department is furthermore responsible for the overall technical standardisation coordination for the ground segment.

The Ground Segment Engineering Department is organised as follows:

• Mission Operations Data Systems Division
• Ground Station Engineering Division
• Flight Dynamics Division
• Navigation Support Office
• Multi-Mission Infrastructure Programme Manager
• Senior Ground Systems Strategy and Commercialisation Manager

You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int

The ESA mission operations infrastructure encompasses hardware and software elements that build the backbone of the ground segment for operations of all ESA missions. A typical ground segment includes systems that support mission operations preparation (such as orbit analysis and design tools, mission planning software, automation procedure development environment, mission simulators and validation and test facilities). It also includes systems for the execution of mission operations (such as mission control system, attitude and orbit manoeuvre execution tools, network management, antennas and communication software/hardware elements at ground stations). The ground system elements are deployed on secure computing infrastructure. The ESA mission operations infrastructure undergoes continues evolution and advancement, to adopt new technologies, provide increased capacities, expose new features and capabilities to address the needs of new ESA missions.

Elements of the ESA mission operations infrastructure has served as the basis for developing a number of successful European commercial solutions and are available in a loyalty free scheme to all companies and institutions in ESA member states. In the recent years, ESA has put an even higher emphasis in support of European Commercial Space market and in particular the European New Space.

Under the supervision of the Senior Ground Systems Strategy and Commercialisation Manager, you will help on development of the strategy for next generation ground segment with focus on Commercialisation and support of New Space Economy. You will also support the production of Technology Development Roadmaps for key technology domains relevant to ground segment, including

• Artificial Intelligence
• Cyber Security
• Model Based System Engineering
• Systems in support of CubeSats
• Optical Communication
• RF Systems
• Flight Dynamics Development Platform
• Moon Surface Landing selection and Insitu Navigation for Robotics
• Delay Tolerant Networks and Solar System Internet
• Quantum Computing

The work will combine the Engineering aspects with Business Development and Economic aspects. The exact details of the work will depend on your qualification and interests. You will interact with all divisions and units within the Department, who are responsible for different areas of the ground segment engineering. You will also interact with the New Space industry and colleagues from other departments and directorates in the Agency. The training may also provide the opportunity of exposure to spacecraft operations.

Knowledge of relevant technical domains

Relevant experience gained during internships/project work

Breadth of exposure coming from past and/or current research/activities

Knowledge of ESA and its programmes/projects

Result Orientation

Operational Efficiency

Fostering Cooperation

Relationship Management

Continuous Improvement

Forward Thinking

You should have just completed, or be in the final year of your Master’ s degree in an engineering or business administration field (e.g. aerospace engineering, computer sciences or communication engineering or business administration with a focus on engineering domain).

You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team.

Ideally you should bring a degree and/or work experience that combines engineering with business administration and economics. Knowledge of New Space Economy, Software Start Ups landscape as well as modern software methodologies, strategy development and Business Administration would be an asset. In engineering area expertise in one or multiple of following domains is an asset: AI (Machine and Deep learning), Cyber Security, AR/VR technologies, Optical Communication, RF, Embedded software development.

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.

During the interview motivation and overall professional perspective/career goals will also be explored.

Other information

For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the ESA Competency Framework .

For further information on the Young Graduate Programme please visit: Young Graduate Programme andFAQ Young Graduate Programme

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 email [email protected] .

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Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia, as  Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Cyprus as European Cooperating States (ECS).

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 candidates from under-represented Member States *. 

In accordance with the European Space Agency’s security procedures and as part of the selection process, successful candidates will be required to undergo basic screening before appointment conducted by an external background screening service. 

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.