Science Operations System Engineer
Villanueva de la Cañada
- Organization: ESA - European Space Agency
- Location: Villanueva de la Cañada
- Grade: Mid level - A2/A4 - Grade band
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Occupational Groups:
- Operations and Administrations
- Engineering
- Scientist and Researcher
- Closing Date: 2025-10-02
Science Operations System Engineer
Villanueva de la Cañada, ES
Location
ESAC, Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain
Description
The European Space Agency maintains a world-leading Science Programme with missions in heliophysics, planetary science, astrophysics and fundamental physics. Its mission is to “Empower Europe to lead space science”.
The Science Operations Department (SCI-S), within ESA's Directorate of Science, hosts the scientists and engineers who oversee the space missions from study to the end of operations, develops the science operation systems for the missions and operates the missions in space, and archives and curates their data during operations and beyond. Its main objective is to maximise the scientific output of the missions for the benefit of humankind.
The Department also supports other ESA Directorates in the archiving of their science data and the maximisation of the scientific output of their missions. This position will support the provision of such services to the Directorate of Navigation.
As Science Operations System Engineer for the Navigation Science Operations Centre, you will report to the Head of the Navigation Science Operations Section (SCI-SON) in the Science Operations Department. In close coordination with the Directorate of Navigation, you will be responsible for the operations and all system engineering aspects of the ESA-provided elements of the Navigation Science Operations Centre and its interfaces. This includes the design, definition and implementation of a worldwide reference ESA GNSS science archive in close collaboration with the Directorate of Science’s European Space Data Centre (ESDC), as well as designing, developing and implementing science operations support for the Genesis mission. The Navigation Science Operations Centre and its GNSS science archive integrate all available GNSS data sources to foster GNSS science research in Europe. In this role, you will also implement navigation science activities and stimulate the emergence of spin-off initiatives with industry.
In the Directorate of Navigation, your main interfaces will be the Navigation Science Manager and the Genesis Project Manager in the Future Navigation Department. In the Directorate of Operations, you will coordinate your activities closely with the Navigation Support Office.
Duties
Your tasks and responsibilities will include:
- defining, maintaining and evolving the overall architecture and interfaces of the Navigation Science Operations Centre systems under ESA responsibility in close collaboration and in accordance with the priorities agreed with the Directorate of Navigation. This includes the setup, deployment and execution of the corresponding system engineering processes, closely adhering to the Department’s PA regulations;
- coordinating the science activities and data archiving of navigation projects by the Navigation Science Operations Centre with the aim of maximising their scientific return, in close collaboration and in accordance with the priorities agreed with the Directorate of Navigation. This includes initiating and following up the necessary contractual actions with industry and/or ESA service providers;
- coordinating the definition and evolution of navigation science archive user requirements, and the production of higher-level data products where relevant, including the generation of the corresponding long-term development roadmaps and identification of future opportunities;
- organising all necessary system development, testing and validation activities, ensuring that the user needs are met;
contributing to the establishment of standards in the area of GNSS science data systems; - supporting the Directorate of Navigation in the elaboration of recommendations to the Directorate of Navigation, Directorate of Science and other ESA directorates on the potential use of the Navigation Science Operations Centre and the associated archives in future ESA missions and programmes relating to GNSS science;
- supporting the Directorate of Navigation in the definition, planning and implementation of ESA GNSS science activities and the stimulation of industry spin-off from GNSS science activities;
- seeking commonalities and striving for increased efficiency with the other areas of the Science Operations Department and performing technology watch in view of potential applications within the Department or possible ESA research and development initiatives in close collaboration with the SCI-S System Engineering Steering Group.
Technical competencies
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook
Education
A master’s degree in a relevant domain is required for this post.
Additional requirements
Ability to run cost-benefit trade-offs
Ability to present practical solutions both orally and in writing
Ability to manage conflict proactively and constructively
Strong customer focus
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, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.
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 contact.human.resources@esa.int.
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.
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.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.