ESA Graduate Trainee in GEO Satellite System Engineering for Dual-Use Applications

Descrizione del lavoro:

Location

ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Our team and mission

The GEO Satellites Programme Office works with both private and state actors in the field of telecommunications.
A Commercial Telecom Satellite is a space-based communication system designed to provide reliable, high-capacity, and cost-effective telecommunications services to commercial customers worldwide. It complements or extends terrestrial networks, particularly in remote, underserved, or high-demand areas, and supports a wide range of applications including broadband connectivity, mobility services, in-orbit servicing and data transmission. Within the Directorate of Connectivity and Secure Communications, a new commercial satellite project is currently under preparation and will run in 2026/2027.
A Telecom satellite for governmental use is a space-based communication system dedicated to supporting sovereign, secure, and resilient telecommunications for government authorities. It complements or substitutes terrestrial networks, especially in critical, remote, or crisis situations. In the Directorate Connectivity and Secure Communications, a new programme is under preparation, namely T4GOV (Telecommunication for Governments), and will be presented to JCB Member States for approval.

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

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

You will be part of the System Engineering team and contribute to the definition, development, and validation of a complex governmental satellite communication system. You will work across the space, ground, and user segments, under the guidance of senior system engineers.
You will be expected to have the following responsibilities:
* Supporting system requirements definition, analysis, and traceability;
* Contributing to system architecture and trade-off studies;
* Assisting in defining and managing interfaces and ICDs;
* Supporting verification and validation planning and execution;
* Contributing to performance analyses (coverage, link budgets, availability);
* Participating in risk, configuration, and change management;
* Supporting preparation of technical documentation and design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR).

Technical competencies

Knowledge of relevant technical/functional domains
Relevant experience gained during internships, project work and/or extracurricular or other activities
General knowledge of the space sector and relevant activities
Knowledge of ESA and its programmes/projects

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

You should have just completed, or be in the final year of your master' s degree in Engineering (preferably with experience in systems, aerospace, telecom, electronics, or other related engineering fields).

Additional requirements

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. Previous experience of working in international teams can be considered an asset. Your motivation, overall professional perspective and career goals will also be explored during the later stages of the selection process.
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
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.

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 can only be 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, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Malta 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 be given 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