Ground Station Engineer - European Space Agency (Darmstadt)

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:

• Support the DSA-5 project in the domain of backend system, modem and signal processing
• Support DSA-5-related reviews during the design and acceptance phases
• Participate in factory and site acceptance testing of DSA-5 antenna subsystems with a focus on signal processing and modems
• Design, development and deployment of the ADIG system to DSA-5
• Signal processing and modem design and development for current and future systems, such as ADIG, TTCP and Cortex
• Project management for the development and deployment of innovative space communication systems in ground stations in support of future missions
• Management of research and development activities, covering new innovations for ESA's ground station missions
• Specification of relevant equipment, drafting of statements of work and monitoring of industrial development and procurement contracts for ground station subsystems

Are you eligible?

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

• Education: Master's degree in a relevant domain
• Experience: 10 years of relevant professional experience, with several years of experience in modem development and signal processing, preferably in the space domain
• Languages: English (good kn…), French (good kn…)
• Key skills: Ground station development, Signal processing, Modem design and development, RF and communications engineering, Result Orientation, Operational Efficiency, Fostering Cooperation, Relationship Management, Continuous Improvement, Forward Thinking
• Eligibility: Nationals of 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, Canada, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia. Must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export contr…

Selection process

The notice describes the following selection steps:

• Selection tests may be requested during the recruitment process
• Basic screening before appointment conducted by an external background screening service

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: Fixed-term appointment with an initial duration of 4 years, may be extended up to a possible maximum duration of 8 years.

Working arrangements: Darmstadt, Germany (ESOC).

Hiring unit: Station Subsystems and Configuration Control Section (OPS-GSS), Ground Station Engineering Division, Ground Systems Eng….

Position details

Reference

1427571433

Last Verified

27 August 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Ground Station Engineer at ESA based in Darmstadt (Other). The vacancy reference is 1427571433.

Ground Station Engineer

Job Requisition ID:20861

Date Posted:21 August 2026

Closing Date:11 September 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication:Internal & External

Directorate:Operations

Workplace: Darmstadt, DE

​

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

ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany

Description

Ground Station Engineer in the Station Subsystems and Configuration Control Section (OPS-GSS), Ground Station Engineering Division, Ground Systems Engineering and Innovation Department, Directorate of Operations.

You will be responsible for activities relating to modem and signal processing developments in the Deep Space Antenna 5 (DSA-5) project, with a focus on ESA’s new All DIgital Ground Station (ADIG) concept.

Duties

- Support the DSA-5 project in the domain of backend system, modem and signal processing; - Support DSA-5-related reviews during the design and acceptance phases; - Participate in factory and site acceptance testing of DSA-5 antenna subsystems with a focus on signal processing and modems; - Design, development and deployment of the ADIG system to DSA-5; - Signal processing and modem design and development for current and future systems, such as ADIG, TTCP and Cortex; - Project management for the development and deployment of innovative space communication systems in ground stations in support of future missions (seamless chain of innovation); - Management of research and development activities, covering new innovations for ESA’s ground station missions; - Specification of relevant equipment, drafting of statements of work and monitoring of industrial development and procurement contracts for ground station subsystems, including management of their deployment and integration into the ground stations; - Simulation of radiofrequency (RF) and telecommunication system and subsystem performance; - Definition and conduct of tests aimed at verifying performance and functionalities at industry premises, in ESA laboratories and in ESA ground stations.

Technical competencies

Ground station development

Signal processing

Modem design and development

RF and communications engineering

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation

Operational Efficiency

Fostering Cooperation

Relationship Management

Continuous Improvement

Forward Thinking

For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

Education and professional experience

A master's degree in a relevant domain is required for this post together with 10 years of relevant professional experience.

Additional requirements

You are expected to have several years of experience in modem development and signal processing, preferably in the space domain. Experience in project management is an asset. Good knowledge of CCSDS and ECSS standards relevant to ground stations is a plus. You must be highly motivated, with the ability to define solutions and solve problems in an autonomous manner, while also communicating effectively within the project and the organisation.

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 [email protected].

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.

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.

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Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 21 August 2026, 7 days ago.

The application deadline is 11 September 2026, 13 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 Darmstadt see our Darmstadt 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.