System and Applications Engineer(m/w/x)

# System and Applications Engineer Job Requisition ID: 19496 Date Posted: 9 May 2025 Closing Date: 30 May 2025 23:59 CET/CEST Publication: Internal & External Type of Contract: Permanent Directorate: Operations Workplace: Darmstadt, DE Grade Band: A2 - A4 **Location** ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany ## Description System and Applications Engineer in the Ground Segment Architecture, Data & AI Section (OPS-GAA) of the System and Applications Engineering Division in the Ground Systems Engineering and Innovation Department, Directorate of Operations. The Ground Segment Architecture, Data & AI Section (OPS-GAA) is responsible for the management of systems and support activities required for ground segment software architecture, data architecture and artificial intelligence systems. ## Duties **Ground Segment Engineering** **Ground System and Applications Engineer** * Contribute to the system-level and architectural design of the ground segment, ensuring alignment with the overall mission architecture and operational requirements. * Lead the engineering and evolution of pre-operational and operational systems and applications such as monitoring and control systems, mission planning systems, simulators and automation applications, as well as data management, distribution and processing systems and the associated software infrastructure. * Lead the ground segment engineering assembly, integration, and testing, and support the ground segment operational validation. * Support the programme directorates in the tendering process and in the supervision of the industrial contracts, ensuring deliverables meet the levels of compliance agreed in the industrial contracts through the evaluation of proposals, technical reviews, acceptance milestones and status progress meetings with industry. * Engage with internal teams and external partners for efficient project implementation in the technical domain in coordination and agreement with the project managers. * Participate actively in research and development, as well as standardisation, promoting innovative technologies and standards in the domain. ## The System Architect Role Depending on your skills and background, your responsibilities are expected to include a System Architect role for several applications in one of the following fields: 1. Ground segment-wide data architecture and data governance; 2. Digitalisation of ground segment engineering and business processes. The System Architect role includes the definition, development, maintenance, sustaining and evolution of solutions that implement or support an application, and your concrete tasks will include: * the establishment of the solution requirements, in cooperation with the operational users and multi-mission systems owners; * production of the specifications for the system and software requirements; * definition and monitoring of the related industrial procurement contracts; * acceptance of deliveries; * collection and, wherever meaningful, implementation of feedback from users of the multi-mission system as clients of the solutions; * application of appropriate configuration management to the deployed platform; * support for users as required by the various operational phases; * management and provision of the user support and maintenance services related to the solutions; * management and provision of the training services related to the use of the solutions; * the provision of integration, validation and operational support, specifically including the exploitation of cloud-native data platforms, architecture and technology. You will also be expected to: * undertake general research, technology development activities, laboratory experimentation, pre-development and in-orbit demonstration on related fields to bring to users the benefits of innovations in ground segment architecture, data architecture and artificial intelligence; * promote the adoption of innovative concepts, technologies and standards in ground segment architecture, data architecture and artificial intelligence with users. ## Technical competencies Data governance and management frameworks and execution approaches, data-centric architecture, including the associated security aspects and approaches Digital engineering, particularly the application of model-based system engineering technology and approaches ## Behavioural competencies Result Orientation Operational Efficiency Fostering Cooperation Relationship Management Continuous Improvement Forward Thinking ## Education A master's degree in a relevant domain is required for this post. ## Additional requirements A background or experience in the following would be an additional benefit: * space system ground segment architecture and especially space mission operations processes, including the associated tooling, technologies and standards; * cloud-native system design, with a strong background in cloud-based system build, use and execution; * a broad understanding of AI and BI techniques, including a strong background in value-driven use case definition and data visualisation techniques. **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, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged. 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. 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.