SatCom AI Technology Lead - 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:

• Develop and maintain SatCom AI technology roadmaps by assessing emerging technologies, market developments and identifying opportunities
• Assess and prioritise AI-enabled SatCom opportunities based on technical potential, maturity, application needs and commercial value
• Translate opportunities into development activities, demonstrators, pilots or proof-of-concepts with defined objectives and technical requirements
• Advance AI-enabled SatCom solutions through development and validation, addressing technology maturity and operational constraints
• Assess results of development activities and determine further development or integration required for operational application or commercial exploitation
• Assess industry-proposed AI activities and provide recommendations on technical potential, maturity and prospective application
• Coordinate multidisciplinary contributions from ESA experts, industry, operators, AI companies, universities and research institutions
• Identify opportunities to connect SatCom AI activities with relevant ESA programmes and external initiatives

Are you eligible?

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

• Education: Master's degree in a relevant engineering discipline required; alternatively, bachelor's degree with an additional four years of relevant professional experience may be considered
• Experience: Four years of relevant professional experience required
• Key skills: Consolidated expertise in AI including Machine Learning, Reinforcement Learning, multi-agent systems, Large Language Models, generative AI, deep learning, optimisation or neuromorphic computing, Strong knowledge of SatCom systems including payloads, spectrum, ground systems, terminals, network management and end-to-end service architectures, Knowledge of 5G/6G NTN, Direct-to-Device services, integrated terrestrial-satellite networks, multi-orbit connectivity and intelligent network automation, Proven experience in defining AI or technology roadmaps for SatCom systems, Ability to translate strategic priorities into implementable research, product development or commercial activities, Ability to clearly communicate complex AI and SatCom system matters to teams, programme managers, senior management and Member State representatives, Experience in proposing, evaluating and managing technical activities, Understanding of modern software engineering methods and tools applied to AI development processes, Hands-on design, implementation, training and validation of AI algorithms in engineering, product-representative or operational environments, Experience leading multidisciplinary initiatives and building collaboration across industry, academia and research communities

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: 4 years, extendable to indefinite.

Working arrangements: ECSAT, Harwell, United Kingdom or ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands.

Hiring unit: Directorate of Commercialisation and Industry Partnership, Commercial Partnerships Department (CIP-P).

Position details

Reference

1448603833

Last Verified

18 October 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for SatCom AI Technology Lead at ESA based in Noordwijk (Other). The vacancy reference is 1448603833.

Job Requisition ID:20969

Date Posted:16 October 2026

Closing Date:6 November 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication Method:Internal & External

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

Directorate:Commercialisation and Industry Partnership

Workplace: Harwell, GB Noordwijk, NL

Location ECSAT, Harwell, United Kingdom or ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description

The SatCom AI Technology Lead within the Commercial Partnerships Department (CIP-P) in the Directorate of Commercialisation and Industry Partnership (CIP), directly reports to the Head of the Commercial Technologies, Products, Systems and Future Partnerships Division.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform the design, development, operation and commercialisation of satellite communications systems and services. It can enable autonomous and adaptive networks, optimise satellite resources and spectrum, accelerate engineering and product development, and support new services across integrated terrestrial and Non-Terrestrial Networks.

You will be responsible for advancing AI-enabled opportunities for commercial satellite communications, translating identified technology and market needs into development activities and supporting their progression towards operational application and commercial exploitation. Acting as a focal point for SatCom AI activities within CIP, you will bring together relevant technical, programme and commercial expertise across ESA, industry, operators, academia and the wider AI ecosystem to progress promising opportunities from concept through development, demonstration and validation.

You will lead the definition, development and productization of artificial intelligence-enabled solutions for satellite communications, including activities delivered through the ECSAT AI Hub and in cooperation with relevant ESA programmes, industry and institutional partners.

The role will translate strategic objectives and market needs into a coherent Satcom AI product portfolio, roadmaps, demonstrators and scalable solutions. It will connect satellite communications expertise with artificial intelligence, data platforms and software-enabled network capabilities, with a focus on operational value, commercial adoption and responsible deployment. The postholder will coordinate multidisciplinary teams and external partners, oversee product lifecycle activities from opportunity identification to validation and exploitation, and ensure alignment with ESA procurement, governance and programme objectives.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include the following:

- Contributing to the development and maintenance of SatCom AI technology roadmaps by assessing emerging technologies, market developments, capability needs and potential use cases and identifying opportunities for further development; - Assessing and prioritising AI-enabled SatCom opportunities, taking account of their technical potential, maturity, application needs, development requirements and prospective operational and commercial value; - Translating selected opportunities into appropriate development activities, demonstrators, pilots or proof-of-concepts, defining their objectives, scope and technical requirements with relevant experts and partners; - Advancing AI-enabled SatCom solutions through development and validation, identifying how technology maturity, SatCom system requirements, data and computing needs, validation requirements and operational constraints need to be addressed; - Assessing the results of development activities and determining the further development, validation or integration required to progress promising solutions towards operational application or commercial exploitation; - Assessing industry-proposed AI activities and associated business and market assumptions and providing recommendations on their technical potential, maturity, development needs and prospective application; - Coordinating multidisciplinary contributions from ESA technical experts, industry, operators, AI companies, universities and research institutions required to progress SatCom AI activities effectively; - Identifying opportunities to connect SatCom AI activities with relevant ESA programmes, the ECSAT AI Hub and external initiatives where complementary capabilities or development opportunities exist; - Providing technical advice on SatCom AI opportunities and activities within the Directorate and representing the Department in relevant technical discussions and coordination forums; - Monitoring relevant developments in AI and satellite communications and assessing their implications and potential opportunities for the Directorate’s activities; - Providing technical guidance to engineers, research fellows, interns and other specialists contributing to individual SatCom AI activities, where required.

In performing these duties, you will represent the Directorate of Commercialisation and Industry Partnership in relevant AI coordination bodies fostering partnerships with industry, operators, AI companies, universities and research institutions. You will also interface with the Directorate’s project teams and colleagues, other ESA directorates, industry and academia, presenting technical assessments and/or proposing solutions, explaining their benefits, limitations, implementation requirements and commercial potential.

Technical competencies

Consolidated expertise in AI, including several relevant areas such as Machine Learning, Reinforcement Learning, multi-agent systems, Large Language Models, generative AI, deep learning, optimisation or neuromorphic computing

Strong knowledge of SatCom systems, including payloads, spectrum, ground systems, terminals, network management and end-to-end service architectures

Knowledge of 5G/6G NTN, Direct-to-Device services, integrated terrestrial-satellite networks, multi-orbit connectivity and intelligent network automation

Proven experience in defining AI or technology roadmaps for SatCom systems, and translating strategic priorities into implementable research, product development or commercial activities

Ability to clearly communicate complex AI and SatCom system matters, providing advise to teams, programme managers, senior management and/or Member State representatives

Behavioural competencies

Education and professional experience

A master’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline is required for this post together with four years of relevant professional experience. Alternatively, candidates with a bachelor’s degree and an additional four years of relevant professional experience may be considered.

Additional requirements

The following would be considered distinct assets:

- Experience in proposing, evaluating and managing technical activities, including assessing industrial proposals, technical results and technology maturity - Good understanding of modern software engineering methods and tools applied to the development of artificial intelligence development processes - Hands-on design, implementation, training and validation of AI algorithms in engineering, product-representative or operational environments - Experience leading multidisciplinary initiatives and building collaboration across industry, academia, research communities and institutional stakeholders

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 18 October 2026, today.

The application deadline is 6 November 2026, 17 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.

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