D2D 5G/6G Network Lead Mission Engineer - European Space Agency (Noordwijk)

About this position

The summary below is published by European Space Agency on the official vacancy notice. Our own analysis — salary realism, comparable openings, career trajectory, language profile — follows further down the page.

Key responsibilities

According to the vacancy notice, the role centres on the following duties:

• Lead and coordinate definition, procurement, design, development, qualification, acceptance, deployment and ground/in-orbit validation of 5G/6G NTN system architecture for D2D Partnership Projects
• Ensure alignment of mission performances with system requirements for space, ground and user segments
• Supervise development and validation of 5G/6G NTN software protocol stack on board and on ground
• Lead end-to-end integration of NTN payloads, RAN and core subsystems with different ground architectures
• Ensure technical consistency and effective coordination across project areas
• Interface with industrial counterparts to review, monitor and support contractors' technical progress
• Support industry tailoring and application of ESA, international and industry standards
• Manage requirements, specifications, technical budgets, design drivers and system performance

Are you eligible?

Check these requirements from the notice before investing time in an application:

• Education: Master's degree in a relevant engineering discipline, or bachelor's degree complemented by an additional four years of relevant professional experience
• Experience: 4 years of relevant professional experience in SatCom systems and 5G/6G telecom networks engineering
• Key skills: SatCom systems specification, design, development, verification and end-to-end validation, 5G/6G telecom networks engineering, verification, end-to-end validation and operations, Large-scale ground software developments, 5G/6G NTN networks, Agile system engineering, Model-based system engineering, ESA or large industrial procurement processes and contracts negotiation, Complex project risk management, Industrial costs and schedule control, Cross-functional team collaboration

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: 4 years, with possible extension up to a maximum duration of 8 years.

Working arrangements: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands.

Hiring unit: Directorate of Commercialisation and Industry Partnerships, Commercial Partnerships Department, Communication Constella….

Position details

Reference

1434449333

Last Verified

15 September 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for D2D 5G/6G Network Lead Mission Engineer at ESA based in Noordwijk (Other). The vacancy reference is 1434449333.

Job Requisition ID:20828

Date Posted:7 September 2026

Closing Date:28 September 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication:Internal & External

Directorate:Commercialisation and Industry Partnership

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This is a fixed-term appointment with an initial duration of 4 years. Depending upon performance and organisational needs, the appointment may be extended up to a possible maximum duration of 8 years.

Location

ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description

D2D 5G/6G Network Lead Mission Engineer in the D2D Project within the Communication Constellations and NG 5G6G NTN Partnerships Division in the Commercial Partnerships Department within the Directorate of Commercialisation and Industry Partnerships.

Reporting to the D2D Mission Manager, you will be responsible for all 5G/6G network development and procurement aspects for the Direct-to-Device (D2D) Partnership Projects (ELEOSYS and SELYCE) under the same Department.

You will be the focal point and day-to-day interface with the satellite operators and industrial prime contractors, and, under the leadership and authority of management, will be responsible for decision-making on behalf of the ESA Partnership Projects and for the design, development, qualification, on-ground verification and in-orbit validation of 5G/6G network elements, ensuring overall consistency with the mission requirements and end-to-end performances within schedule and cost.

Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) connectivity for Direct-to-Device (D2D) presents one of the greatest potential growth opportunities in satcom. The objective of the D2D partnership projects is to design, develop, qualify, integrate and validate satellite payload, platform and ground network innovative technologies using ESA Member States’ supply chain solutions in a pre-operational system showcasing emerging D2D services.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

- leading and coordinating the definition, procurement, design, development, qualification, acceptance, deployment and ground- and in-orbit validation of the 5G/6G NTN system architecture for the D2D Partnership Projects; - ensuring the alignment of the mission performances with the system requirements for the space, ground and user segments, and compliance with the specified requirements; - supervising the development and validation of the 5G/6G NTN software protocol stack, both on board and on the ground, including end-to-end system integration and validation through testbeds and in-orbit demonstrations; - leading the end-to-end integration of NTN payloads, RAN and core subsystems, and O-RAN/NTN-with the different ground architectures; - ensuring technical consistency and effective coordination across the various project areas under the responsibility of the project team; - interfacing with industrial counterparts to review, monitor and support contractors’ technical progress and implementation status; - supporting, as required, industry tailoring and leading the subsequent application of ESA, international and industry standards; - responsibility for the requirements and specifications, technical budgets, design drivers, internal and external interfaces, system performance and operational concepts, including their consistency with the mission requirements, specifications and technical budgets; - managing, together with the operators and the industrial prime contractors, the system, subsystem and equipment reviews in your area of competence; - participating in all level reviews as lead 5G/6G network representative of the department D2D projects; - leading the preparation and implementation of mission, system, and lower-level reviews in cooperation with the project team and supporting the other project team engineers in other project lower-level reviews; - leading a team of engineers and specialised engineering support from the Directorates of Technology, Engineering and Quality (D/TEC) and Operations (D/OPS); - proactively monitoring the overall system schedule, identifying risks and problem areas, providing assessments and proposing mitigation actions from industry and the ESA side; - monitoring the completion of system activities within technical performance, schedule and cost; - monitoring system competitiveness through regular competitiveness meetings; - supporting the Project Manager for regular technical, programmatic and financial reporting to ESA management and the Participating States; - supporting meetings with delegations and partners, as required; - contributing to relevant communication and outreach activities; - identifying challenges and opportunities associated with system evolutions and proposing corresponding updates to the mission architecture and interfaces; - supporting other activities of the Department, such as the preparation of future mission opportunities, as required, and relevant to your experience.

Technical competencies

Proven experience in SatCom systems specification, design, development, verification and end-to-end validation, ideally in the area of satellite constellations

Proven experience with 5G/6G telecom networks engineering, verification, end-to-end validation and operations, including large-scale ground software developments, ideally also in 5G/6G NTN networks

Experience in agile system engineering and model-based system engineering are distinct advantages

Knowledge of ESA or large industrial procurement processes and contracts negotiation

Knowledge of complex project risk management, industrial costs and schedule control

Behavioural competencies

Education and professional experience

A master’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline is required for this post together with 4 years of relevant professional experience. Alternatively, candidates with a bachelor’s degree, complemented by an additional four (4) years of relevant professional experience can be considered.

Additional requirements

- Experience working in a cross-functional team and in promoting innovation through a creative collaboration process; - Strong problem-solving skills to deal with day-to-day operational challenges, together with demonstrated planning and organisational skills; - Ability to understand, and to clearly and concisely communicate complex technical issues to the team and external parties; - Direct experience of working with a commercial telecommunication’s prime contractor and/or operator will be a distinct advantage. Experience with ESA’s Partnership Projects would be an asset.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 7 September 2026, 8 days ago.

The application deadline is 28 September 2026, 11 days from today. Late applications are not accepted, so submit through the official EU Careers portal well in advance.

Last verified against the EU Careers feed on 15 September 2026.

Where to learn more

For headcount, mission, and other open vacancies at ESA see the ESA institution page; for the cost of living, correction coefficient, and other postings in Noordwijk see our Noordwijk location page.

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