Ground Segment Product Engineer (2 posts) - European Space Agency (Harwell)

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:

• Initiate, monitor and control activities relating to ground and user segment product development for satellite communications
• Manage the implementation of activities relating to ground and user segment products
• Assess the business cases and market assumptions of industry-initiated ground and user segment product development activities
• Conduct industry roadmap meetings on ground and user segment products
• Identify and define product needs and innovation opportunities in the ground and user segments of satellite communication systems
• Support market intelligence studies and contribute to strategic initiatives relating to the ground and user segments of satellite communication systems
• Support the promotion of the Directorate's programmes and socioeconomic impact analysis
• Coordinate expert technical support provided by other ESA organisational units

Are you eligible?

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

• Education: Master's degree in a relevant domain, or bachelor's degree complemented by an additional four years of relevant professional experience
• Experience: 4 years of relevant professional experience (or 8 years total if bachelor's degree holder)
• Key skills: Managing product development activities carried out by industry for satellite communication applications, Knowledge of ESA and industrial development, verification and procurement processes, Knowledge of satellite communication ground segment architecture, products, market and business case analysis, Knowledge of digitalisation, virtualisation and ground segment networking in satellite communications, Knowledge of user terminal technologies and products across various satellite communications markets and use cases, Experience in ground segment technology and equipment, subsystem design and development, Understanding of satellite communication market dynamics, business plans and market trends, and disruptive innovation strategies, Strong negotiation skills, Contract or subcontract management experience

Contract and working arrangements

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

Hiring unit: Ground Segment Section, Technology and Products Division, Systems, Future Missions Department, Directorate of Resilienc….

Position details

Reference

1384915633

Last Verified

27 August 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Ground Segment Product Engineer (2 posts) at ESA based in Harwell (Other). The vacancy reference is 1384915633.

Job Requisition ID:20482

Date Posted:21 August 2026

Closing Date:4 September 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication:Internal & External

Directorate:Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity

Workplace: Noordwijk, NL Harwell, GB

This is afixed-term appointmentwith 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 or ECSAT, Harwell, United Kingdom

Description

Ground Segment Product Engineer in the Ground Segment Section, Technology and Products Division, Systems, Future Missions Department, Directorate of Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity.

Duties

Reporting to the Head of the Ground Segment Section, you will be responsible for managing activities relating to telecommunications ground and user segment technology and products. Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

- initiating, monitoring and controlling activities relating to ground and user segment product development for satellite communications; - managing the implementation of activities relating to ground and user segment products; - assessing the business cases and market assumptions of industry-initiated ground and user segment product development activities; - conducting industry roadmap meetings on ground and user segment products; - identifying and defining product needs and innovation opportunities in the ground and user segments of satellite communication systems; - supporting market intelligence studies and contributing to strategic initiatives relating to the ground and user segments of satellite communication systems; - supporting the promotion of the Directorate’s programmes and socioeconomic impact analysis; - coordinating expert technical support provided by other ESA organisational units as required to ensure effective initiation and management of activities.

Technical competencies

Experience in managing product development activities carried out by industry for satellite communication applications

Knowledge of ESA and industrial development, verification and procurement processes

Knowledge of satellite communication ground segment architecture, products, market and business case analysis

Knowledge of digitalisation, virtualisation and ground segment networking in satellite communications

Knowledge of user terminal technologies and products across various satellite communications markets and use cases

Behavioural competencies

Education and professional experience

A master’s degree in a relevant domain 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 in ground segment technology and equipment, subsystem design and development.

Understanding of satellite communication market dynamics, business plans and market trends, as well as disruptive innovation strategies.

Direct experience of working with a commercial telecommunications operator and European industry, as well as an in-depth understanding of operating within a European agency framework, would be a distinct advantage.

You should also demonstrate strong negotiation skills and have contract or subcontract management experience.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 24 August 2026, 4 days ago.

The application deadline is 4 September 2026, 6 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 27 August 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 Harwell see our Harwell 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.