Digital Payload Engineer

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Closing Date: 8 April 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Directorate: Technology, Engineering and Quality

Digital Payload Engineer in the Payload, TT&C and Digital Architecture Section, RF Payloads and Technology Division, Electrical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

The Section covers the specification, design, development and verification/testing of:

• telecommunication payloads and subsystems, microwave and millimetre-wave remote sensing instruments, and navigation payloads exploiting analogue, digital and optical onboard technologies;
• telemetry, tracking and control (TT&C) subsystems, payload data transmission (PDT) subsystems including deep space and near-Earth transponders, proximity and intersatellite (ISL) link equipment, high-speed downlink modulators and digital communication equipment (hereinafter referred to as “TT&C/PDT subsystems”);
• radio frequency digital equipment for telecommunication/navigation payloads, radio frequency/microwave and millimetre-wave remote sensing instruments and radio frequency subsystems (such as TT&C, PDT and ISL), as well as payload signal and data processing techniques.

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

• providing expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects, programmes and general studies throughout all project phases, in the field of onboard digital signal/data processing equipment for RF payloads and TT&C/PDT subsystems, covering navigation, telecom and Earth observation applications;
• contributing to the implementation of industrial project activities;
• contributing to the overall architectural definition, specification, development and verification of onboard digital signal/data processing equipment for future RF payloads and TT&C/PDT subsystems;
• assessing new concepts and architectures, processing techniques and new digital/mixed-signal technologies to be applied to the next generation of onboard digital processing equipment;
• defining the technological requirements of onboard digital signal/data processing equipment for RF payloads and TT&C/PDT subsystems in cooperation with ESA’s specialists in the microelectronics and other relevant domains;
• participating in feasibility studies, project reviews and the 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 in the field of onboard digital processing equipment;
• defining, initiating and managing R&D activities covering both long- and short-term needs;
• contributing to the definition of technology roadmaps and work plans for the Agency’s technology programmes in the field of onboard digital signal/data processing equipment;
• fostering new application areas for multidisciplinary activities, placing emphasis on innovative concepts, cutting-edge technologies and system architectures;
• monitoring applicable scientific and technological trends and maintaining state-of-the-art expertise;
• contributing to the dissemination of the results of the activities performed and the transfer of knowledge across the Agency;
• developing and validating simulation tools and associated paradigms in support of the design, development and performance evaluation of onboard digital signal/data processing equipment for RF payloads and TT&C/PDT subsystems;
• operating the relevant Section tools to support projects or ESA R&D activities;
• implementing laboratory activities associated with testing, characterisation and performance assessment of onboard digital signal/data processing equipment for RF payloads and TT&C/PDT subsystems;
• supervising students and trainees for the analysis, simulation and development of advanced concepts in the Section’s technical field.

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

General background and specific experience in the technical domains covered by the position

Hands-on hardware experience

Experience in the development and verification of space hardware

Experience with the design, development and application of relevant tools and methods

Understanding of related technologies, R&D trends and the industrial landscape

Project support experience in a relevant domain

Experience in the management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in reviews

Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking

A master’s degree in telecommunications, electronics or RF/microwave engineering is required for this post.

Good understanding of navigation, telecommunication and Earth observation payload and TT&C/PDT functionalities, architectures and key performance parameter specification and evaluation is required.

Recognised expertise and hands‑on hardware experience in onboard digital signal/data processing equipment for payloads and TT&C/PDT subsystems are required, including:

• experience in architectural definition, design, development, characterisation and performance evaluation of onboard digital signal/data processing equipment (such as telecom digital transparent and regenerative processors, digital signal generation and signal processing units, etc.);
• experience in design, development and performance evaluation and characterisation of data and signal processing techniques and technology, including:
• onboard signal and data processing, including advanced techniques (such as digital beamforming or machine learning/Al techniques) supporting instrument operation and operative modes;
• ASICs and devices (such as FPGA, DSP and CPU), including ASIC/FPGA/IP core usage and development and verification processes and languages (such as VHDL, Verilog);
• high‑speed data conversion (A/D and D/A) techniques and technology, digital input/output interfaces and technologies, networks and protocols.
• experience in design and validation of algorithms and techniques such as modulation, digital beamforming, machine learning/artificial intelligence, forward error correction, filters, data compression and cryptography, etc.

Very good knowledge of modern computer systems, simulation and modelling tools, programming languages, signal processing techniques and technologies is required.

A number of years of professional experience in the technical domains required for this position would be considered an asset.

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, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.

According to the ESA Convention, staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the 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.