Photonic EEEE 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.
Job Requisition ID:20975
Date Posted:15 October 2026
Closing Date:5 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
Photonic EEEE Engineer in the Components Section, Avionics and EEE Division, Electrical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.
The Components Section provides functional support to ESA projects and carries out technological research and development (R&D) in the field of electrical, electronic, electromechanical and electro-optical (EEEE) components with a strong focus on technologies and processes, development and reliability as well as on ground qualification activities. In addition, the Section is responsible for ESCC (European Space Component Coordination).
You will provide support in the areas of:
- photonic EEEE components (laser diodes, photo diodes, LEDs, optical fibre, passive optical components, etc.); - detectors (CCDs, CMOS sensors, IR detectors, etc.).
Duties
Your tasks and responsibilities will include:
- providing expert technical…
Excerpt shown; read the full notice on the official page. The structured breakdown below covers the key facts.
Key responsibilities
According to the vacancy notice, the role centres on the following duties:
- Provide expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects, programmes and general studies in photonic and detector EEEE throughout all project phases
- Contribute to the definition of technology development requirements and work plans for the Agency's technology programmes
- Define, initiate and manage R&D activities covering both long- and short-term needs
- Foster new application areas for multidisciplinary activities, with emphasis on innovative concepts and cutting-edge technologies
- Support technology domain-related standardisation activities (e.g. ESCC, ECSS)
- Contribute to the dissemination of the results of the activities performed and the transfer of knowledge across the Agency
- Participate in feasibility studies, project reviews and evaluation of procurement proposals
- Identify critical development problems and assist in their resolution
Are you eligible?
Check these requirements from the notice before investing time in an application:
- Education: Master's degree in physics, electronics engineering, photonics, optoelectronics, microelectronics or a related discipline
- Experience: In principle, 4 years of relevant professional experience
- Key skills: General background and experience in photonic and detector EEEE technical domains, Understanding of related technologies, R&D trends and the industrial landscape, Hands-on hardware experience, Project support experience in a relevant domain, Experience with laboratory or field testing of relevant technical equipment, Experience in the preparation of procurement activities for technology development and innovation, Experience in the management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in reviews
Contract and working arrangements
Contract duration: 4 years, extendable to indefinite.
Hiring unit: Components Section, Avionics and EEE Division, Electrical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.
Position details
- Reference
- 1448022033
- Last Verified
- 18 October 2026
Position overview
This is the official EU Careers listing for Photonic EEEE Engineer at ESA based in Noordwijk (Other). The vacancy reference is 1448022033.
Job Requisition ID:20975
Date Posted:15 October 2026
Closing Date:5 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
Photonic EEEE Engineer in the Components Section, Avionics and EEE Division, Electrical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.
The Components Section provides functional support to ESA projects and carries out technological research and development (R&D) in the field of electrical, electronic, electromechanical and electro-optical (EEEE) components with a strong focus on technologies and processes, development and reliability as well as on ground qualification activities. In addition, the Section is responsible for ESCC (European Space Component Coordination).
You will provide support in the areas of:
- photonic EEEE components (laser diodes, photo diodes, LEDs, optical fibre, passive optical components, etc.); - detectors (CCDs, CMOS sensors, IR detectors, etc.).
Duties
Your tasks and responsibilities will include:
- providing expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects, programmes and general studies in the field of photonic and detector EEEE throughout all project phases; - contributing to the definition of technology development requirements and work plans for the Agency’s technology programmes; - defining, initiating and managing R&D activities covering both long- and short-term needs; - fostering new application areas for multidisciplinary activities, with an emphasis on innovative concepts and cutting-edge technologies; - supporting technology domain-related standardisation activities (e.g. ESCC, ECSS); - contributing to the dissemination of the results of the activities performed and the transfer of knowledge across the Agency; - participating in feasibility studies, project reviews and evaluation of procurement proposals; - identifying critical development problems and assisting in their resolution; - initiating and monitoring laboratory activities including preparation of test plans and review of test reports; - monitoring applicable scientific and technological trends and maintaining state-of-the-art expertise.
Technical competencies
General background and experience in the technical domains covered by the position
Understanding of related technologies, R&D trends and the industrial landscape
Hands-on hardware experience
Project support experience in a relevant domain
Experience with laboratory or field testing of relevant technical equipment
Experience in the preparation of procurement activities for technology development and innovation (statements of work, proposal evaluation, etc.)
Experience in the management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in reviews
Behavioural competencies
Education and professional experience
A master's degree in physics, electronics engineering, photonics, optoelectronics, microelectronics or a related discipline is required for this post together with, in principle, 4 years of relevant professional experience.
Additional requirements
- Professional experience with space projects and products would be an asset. - A PhD in a related discipline would be an asset.
Application timeline
This vacancy was first listed on 18 October 2026, today.
The application deadline is 5 November 2026, 16 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 18 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.
Career trajectory
Language profile
Application cadence
Visit the official European Space Agency website
Source: This job listing was sourced from the officialEU Careers portal (EPSO). First published: .