Description

Propagation Engineer in the Wave Interaction and Propagation Section, RF Payloads and Technology Division, Electrical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

The Wave Interaction and Propagation Section provides functional support to ESA projects and carries out technological research (R&D) in the fields of:

• wave propagation relevant to space communications, navigation and remote sensing;
• wave interaction for active, passive and combined remote sensing of the ocean, land and atmosphere of the Earth and other planets;
• in-situ characterisation of the interaction and propagation environment;
• data processing and data science techniques, simulation and performance evaluation tools.

Specifically, the Section carries out:

• modelling and experimental validation;
• associated processing, mitigation, retrieval, correction and calibration algorithms for product generation. For remote sensing, this includes algorithmic developments relevant to Lvl1 and Lvl2 ground processing;
• for remote sensing, design and validation of on-board processing functions and algorithms for payload data products, image processing and optical payload data compression;
• related end-to-end performance assessment, including contributions to product quality monitoring and improvement.

Duties

You will report to the Head of Section and, within the technical fields described above, your main tasks and activities will include:

• providing expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects, programmes and general studies throughout all project phases;
• participating in feasibility studies, project reviews and evaluation of procurement proposals;
• identifying critical development problems and assisting in their resolution;
• contributing to the definition of technology development requirements and work plans for the Agency’s technology programmes;
• defining, initiating and managing R&D activities covering both long- and short-term needs;
• fostering new application areas for multidisciplinary activities, placing emphasis on innovative concepts, cutting-edge technologies and system architectures;
• laboratory activities as required;
• monitoring applicable scientific and technological trends and maintaining a state-of-the-art expertise;
• contributing to the dissemination of the results of the activities performed and the transfer of knowledge across the Agency.

Your duties may also include supporting other activities within your area of competence.

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 scientific or engineering discipline is required for this post.

Additional requirements

• Experience in wave propagation modelling relevant to telecoms and/or navigation
• Knowledge of telecoms and navigation concepts, including signal structure, and awareness of related remote sensing concepts
• Experience in the development of propagation channel models
• Strong experience in the characterisation of the propagation environment for navigation and for mobile telecoms, including the derivation of environment-related requirements for navigation receivers and reference stations
• Experience in defining and using performance simulation tools and in conducting simulations and end-to-end performance analyses
• Experience in defining and implementing laboratory tests and propagation campaigns
• Experience in a project environment working on procurement and monitoring of industrial activities

Particular importance will be placed on your ability to interact with both the science and the engineering community.

A PhD in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline would be considered advantageous.