Young Graduate Trainee in RF Spectrum Management & Communication Simulators for EO Missions

Young Graduate Opportunity in the Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes

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

ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands 

The successful candidate will join the Technology Coordination and Frequency Management Section in the Future Missions and Instruments Division (EOP-FM) in the Future Missions and Architecture Department of the Earth Observation Programme Directorate (D/EOP).

EOP-FM’s role is to prepare the Earth observation (EO) missions and technologies of the future, encompassing a wide range of scientific missions (Earth Explorers, Missions of Opportunity), operational missions (Copernicus Sentinels together with the EU and meteorology missions together with EUMETSAT) and small satellite missions (Scouts and Phi-Sats). The work carried out is mainly related to the end-to-end definition of space missions, including system engineering, orbits and mission analysis, instruments, platforms, end-to-end performance, data flow, launcher interfaces, and ground processing to meet the observation requirements. The definition is carried out in close cooperation with specialists in the different domains as well as with the scientists and/or data users proposing the mission or expected to use its result.

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

You will support the work of the Division in two areas: 1) frequency management, i.e. related to the radio frequency interference (RFI) to EO sensors and to the regulations for spectrum use; 2) novel communications between EO satellites and ground. Both areas include assessment, definition of enhancements supported by prototyping of specific modules, and exploitation of existing and enhanced System Engineering Tools.

In particular, you will perform some supporting activities in the following areas: FREQUENCY MANAGEMENT (approximately 75%)

• Assessment of Frequency Management and Radio Frequency Interference tools available in the Agency with the objective of evaluating their suitability for EO missions and EO sensors;
• Establishing requirements for the evolution of the above tools and developing related simulation models and prototypes as needed, followed by their integration on existing tools, where possible;
• Frequency compatibility analyses involving static and dynamic assessment of protection levels for EO applications and their related EO remote sensors as well as for potential new services;
• Use of these analyses to support regulatory activities related to the use of the RF spectrum;
• Survey of RF interference environment for EO active and passive sensors, and evaluation of the state of art for detection and mitigation techniques.

COMMUNICATIONS END-TO-END SIMULATORS (approximately 25%)

• Assessment of Data Flow architectures and simulators for high-speed communications from multiple EO satellites to multiple Ground Stations, as well for commanding from ground those EO satellites;
• Assessment of Internet of Things (IoT) architectures and simulators for the connectivity between EO satellites and multiple Ground and Intersatellite assets;
• Establishing requirements for the evolution of the above tools and developing related link budgets, simulation models and prototypes as needed, followed by their integration into existing tools, where possible.

For both areas :

• Support to ESA staff to follow industrial developments in those areas, with focus on related models and IT Tools

You will closely interact with ESA specialists in the different technology domains.

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 in Telecommunications / Electrical Engineering or Applied Physics

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.

You should also have:

• You should have experience in generic programming tools (e.g. Python, MATLAB, STK).
• Good knowledge of RF Remote Sensing techniques and missions would be an asset. 
• Knowledge of space communications would also be an asset.

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.