End-to-End Navigation System Engineer (2 Posts) - 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:

• Define, guide, and execute comprehensive System Assembly, Integration and Validation (SI&V) strategies and test campaigns across Phase C, D, and E lifecycles for Galileo (G1 and G2), Celeste LEO-PNT, and OpStar
• Provide expert system design and validation engineering support to subsystem-level and system-level Assembly, Integration, and Testing (AIT) and AIV processes
• Operate and exploit ESTEC Navigation Laboratory facilities including System Test Beds, Radio Frequency Constellation Simulators, and Test User Receivers to conduct Signal-in-Space compatibility testing and end-to-end pe…
• Support commissioning and in-flight operations, including Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) and In-Orbit Testing (IOT) activities
• Investigate system anomalies and manage resolution of non-conformances
• Support performance monitoring of systems in operation and design, development and validation of related tools
• Participate as technical expert in formal project reviews (CDRs, TRRs, ARs)
• Define test scenarios, coordinate data dissemination analysis, generate test vectors, and execute hardware-in-the-loop laboratory activities

Are you eligible?

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

• Education: Master's in telecommunication engineering or another relevant domain
• Experience: 4 years of relevant professional experience
• Key skills: Deep understanding of system design and verification processes for space missions (Phase C and onwards) for GNSS and emerging PNT architectures, Hands-on experience defining test plans and executing hardware/software test campaigns in laboratory environments using system test beds, signal simulators, and advanced receivers, Familiarity with Galileo system architecture, signals (OS, HAS, PRS), and SI&V operational processes, Experience in preparation of procurement activities for technology development and innovation, Experience in management and technical monitoring of industrial activities, including resolving complex integration non-conformances and driving formal technical reviews, Strong technical, analytical, organisational and reporting skills, Good interpersonal and communication skills with ability to work in multicultural environment, Understanding of ESA procurement process

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: 4 years, extendable to indefinite.

Hiring unit: Navigation Systems Implementation and Validation Section, End-to-End Systems Division, Systems Department, Directorate….

Position details

Reference

1451227433

Last Verified

26 October 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for End-to-End Navigation System Engineer (2 Posts) at ESA based in Noordwijk (Other). The vacancy reference is 1451227433.

Job Requisition ID:21164

Date Posted:26 October 2026

Closing Date:16 November 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication Method:Internal & External

Type of Appointment (learn more):4 years, extendable to indefinite

Directorate:Technology, Engineering and Quality

Location ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description

End-to-End Navigation System Engineer in the Navigation Systems Implementation and Validation Section, End-to-End Systems Division, Systems Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

Our team and mission:

You will belong to the Navigation Systems Implementation & Validation Section (TEC-SEI). The Section provides expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects, programmes, and general studies in the field of radio navigation systems and techniques (PNT, in particular GNSS). Our core mission focus lies in the critical project lifecycle Phases C and onwards, bridging the gap between detailed design, physical implementation, and operational deployment. To successfully deliver on this mandate, the Section requires strong expertise in system design and validation (engineering).

Duties

As an End-to-End Navigation System Engineer specialising in SI&V, your primary responsibilities will focus on the end-to-end integration, testing, and validation of complex navigation architectures. You will support established programmes like Galileo, as well as new and emerging ESA PNT missions such as the Celeste LEO-PNT In-Orbit Demonstrator and OpStar. Your duties will include:

- defining, guiding, and executing comprehensive System Assembly, Integration and Validation (SI&V) strategies and test campaigns across Phase C, D, and E lifecycles for Galileo (G1 and G2), Celeste LEO-PNT, and OpStar; - providing expert system design and validation engineering support to subsystem-level and system-level Assembly, Integration, and Testing (AIT) and AIV processes, ensuring correct flow-down of system requirements to the segment and payload levels; - operating and exploiting ESTEC Navigation Laboratory facilities—including System Test Beds (e.g., G2STB), Radio Frequency Constellation Simulators (RFCS), and Test User Receivers (TURNs)—to conduct Signal-in-Space (SIS) compatibility testing and end-to-end performance verification; - supporting commissioning and in-flight operations, including Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) and In-Orbit Testing (IOT) activities, actively investigating system anomalies, and managing the resolution of non-conformances; - supporting the performance monitoring of Systems in operation, investigation of system anomalies and the design, development and validation of related tools; - participating as a technical expert in formal project reviews (e.g., Critical Design Reviews [CDRs], Test Readiness Reviews [TRRs], and Acceptance Reviews [ARs]), evaluating industrial data packs to ensure integration readiness and system design maturity; - defining test scenarios, coordinating data dissemination analysis, generating test vectors, and executing hardware-in-the-loop laboratory activities to evaluate and verify new PNT subsystems and equipment; - contributing to the continuous improvement of SI&V engineering best practices, standards, and tools, actively capturing and sharing validation methodologies across the Agency.

Technical competencies

Deep understanding of system design and verification processes for space missions (focusing on Phase C and onwards), specifically for GNSS and emerging PNT architectures (e.g., LEO-PNT)

Proven hands-on experience defining test plans and executing hardware/software test campaigns in laboratory environments using system test beds, signal simulators, and advanced receivers

Familiarity with the Galileo system architecture, signals (e.g., OS, HAS, PRS), and its specific SI&V operational processes

Experience in preparation of procurement activities for technology development and innovation (statements of work, proposal evaluation)

Experience in the management and technical monitoring of industrial activities, including resolving complex integration non-conformances and driving formal technical reviews

Behavioural competencies

Education and professional experience

A master's in telecommunication engineering or another relevant domain is required for this post, together with 4 years of relevant professional experience.

Additional requirements

- experience of working with satellite navigation in particular and PNT in general; - knowledge of and proven experience in machine learning or data analysis applied to PNT, end-to-end navigations systems performance analysis, GNSS receiver signal processing, advanced positioning algorithms are all considered assets; - strong technical, analytical, organisational and reporting skills, with a proactive attitude to solving problems; - good interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team; - understanding of the ESA procurement process.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 26 October 2026, today.

The application deadline is 16 November 2026, 20 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 26 October 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.

New to EU careers? Our beginner's guide walks through entry routes, EPSO competitions, and what to prepare. For application logistics see application tips and EPSO competitions.