4S End-to-End System Architect
Noordwijk | Toulouse
- Organization: ESA - European Space Agency
- Location: Noordwijk | Toulouse
- Grade: Mid level - A2/A4 - Grade band
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Occupational Groups:
- Outer space and satellite technology
- Information Technology and Computer Science
- Closing Date: 2025-08-22
4S End-to-End System Architect
Noordwijk, NL Toulouse, FR
Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands or Toulouse, France.
Description
4S End-to-End System Architect in the Safety and Security from Space Programme Office in the Systems, Strategic Programme Lines and Technology Department, Directorate of Connectivity and Secure Communications.
The 4S (Space Systems for Safety and Security) Strategic Programme Line (SPL) is one of the three main strategic pillars of ESA’s telecommunications programme (ARTES). It focuses on next-generation SATCOM solutions that address governmental requirements and support infrastructure and/or applications critical to society, the economy and security. The programme prioritises security, resilience and sovereignty, which strongly influences how these SATCOM solutions are conceived, developed, validated and operated. Accordingly, the programme imposes stringent requirements on the supply chain and leverages cutting-edge technologies to meet high standards of security and resilience.
Rather than focusing on a single project in the capacity of a system engineer, you, as 4S End-to-End System Architect, will serve as the technical and system-level focal point for Connectivity and Secure Communications within the 4S domain. You will ensure the overall coherence and consistency of ESA’s activities in this area—both internally, by aligning them with the short-, mid-, and long-term objectives of 4S, and externally, by ensuring responsiveness to the needs expressed by the user communities who will ultimately rely on these solutions.
You will report to the 4S Strategic Programme Line Manager, who also serves as Head of the Safety and Security from Space Programme Office. You will work in close daily coordination with the 4S Implementation Manager, who is responsible for initiating and overseeing 4S projects and their execution by project and activity managers.
In the coming years, the programme will prioritise:
- space-based communication and surveillance solutions supporting air traffic management;
- space-based solutions for maritime traffic management, safety and security;
- enhanced protection of SATCOM assets, networks and services.
Your initial responsibilities as System Architect may focus on one or two of these strategic domains depending on your expertise, with a view to gradually expanding your scope to the full 4S portfolio.
Duties
Reporting to the Head of the Safety and Security from Space Programme Office, you will be the technical lead and solution reference for 4S matters. You will rely on and coordinate a network of experts, and your tasks and responsibilities will include:
- liaising with institutions, user communities, technical experts and industry to identify innovative secure SATCOM systems and technologies to respond to future user needs and emerging threats (including liaising with the European Commission in coordination with the IRIS² Programme Department);
- establishing accordingly a technical roadmap and action plans aiming to make the relevant end-to-end 4S solutions available in Europe, from an innovative and resilient European supply chain;
- leading the overall effort to ensure the consistency of the technologies to be invested in and of the new 4S activities at system and service levels, in coordination with relevant internal and external bodies;
- supporting the 4S Implementation Manager in defining activities to be procured;
- supporting the 4S procurement process, including through participation in tender evaluation boards;
- helping assess and then support the individual activities and projects proposed by industry in direct negotiation, with the aim of maximising the impact of their contribution (and related Member State investment) to the 4S strategy;
- supporting 4S-related project reviews, as needed;
- defining steps and processes related to capturing knowledge at the end of each activity, and feeding that knowledge back into the roadmap;
- promoting, from a technical point of view, the activities of the unit by participating in conferences and supporting marketing campaigns.
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 engineering discipline.
Additional requirements
Demonstrated (10+ years) experience in design, development and validation of end-to-end satellite telecommunications systems, including in SATCOM constellations.
Demonstrated (10+ years) experience in defining/designing and promoting to user communities space-based solutions and technologies in aviation (air traffic management), maritime, or cybersecurity/security of SATCOM assets/networks/services.
Experience in the implementation of large R&D activities and/or projects in the SATCOM domain would be an advantage, either in a space agency or in industry (e.g. system integrators, satellite operators/service providers), preferably in 4S-related application domains, for large established players, SMEs, or start-ups.
Demonstrated experience in matrix organisations and non-hierarchical leadership positions would be an advantage.
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 & eligible to acquire the security clearance by their national security administrations.
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.