Secure Connectivity Low LEO Lead Ground Segment Engineer - European Space Agency (Villanueva De La Cañada)

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.

Position details

Reference

1420323133

Last Verified

6 August 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Secure Connectivity Low LEO Lead Ground Segment Engineer at ESA based in Villanueva De La Cañada (Other). The vacancy reference is 1420323133.

Job Requisition ID:20741

Date Posted:30 July 2026

Closing Date:31 August 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication:Internal & External

Directorate:Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity

Workplace: Villanueva de la Cañada, ES

​

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

ESAC, Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain

## Description

Secure Connectivity Low LEO Lead Ground Segment Engineer in the Secure Connectivity Ground Segment and Operations Office (CSC-IG) within the Secure Connectivity Programme Department (CSC-I) in the Directorate of Connectivity and Secure Communications.

The ESA programme related to EU Secure Connectivity, hereinafter referred to as “Secure Connectivity”, is intended to support the effective development and validation of the EU Secure Connectivity governmental infrastructure and the services provided by it, as well as the validation and demonstration of services based on the commercial infrastructure developed by the contractor(s) delivering the EU Secure Connectivity governmental infrastructure.

The Low LEO Layer is intended to develop and test pre-operational concepts. It will include the design, development and testing of Low LEO, focusing on hard governmental and light governmental services improvements. These activities will be defined in coordination with the European Commission, which will ensure full compliance with the Secure Connectivity Concession Agreement and, where applicable, the governance of the relevant EU space component.

Reporting to the Head of the Secure Connectivity Ground Segment and Operations Office and to the Low LEO Implementation Manager, you will be responsible for leading the Low LEO Integrated Project Team in Spain, with accountability for delivering the work packages associated with the consolidation and implementation phases of the ESA Low LEO programme in the areas of ground segment, operations, launch, LEOP, IOT and the roadmap for later integration into EU IRIS 2.

## Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

* leading and coordinating the Low LEO Integrated Project Team (IPT) in Spain, ensuring coherent execution of activities associated with the Low LEO programme component within the areas of responsibility assigned to the IPT; * coordinating closely with the Low LEO Team at ESTEC to ensure full technical and programmatic alignment across all related activities, schedules and implementation priorities, and contributing to reporting to ESA management as required; * managing the consolidation and implementation activities relating to the Low LEO IPT in Spain, ensuring alignment with programme objectives, schedules, operational constraints and pre-operational service needs; * coordinating industrial activities and interfaces with consortiums, institutional partners and operational stakeholders to ensure effective delivery of the areas of responsibility assigned to the Low LEO IPT in Spain; * managing activities relating to the ground segment, operations preparation and operational concepts, ensuring end-to-end consistency, service readiness and operational feasibility across ESA Low LEO activities, while identifying and coordinating synergies with the EU Low LEO-related activities; * coordinating the preparation and execution of launch, LEOP and IOT activities, ensuring readiness, interoperability and smooth transition towards operational validation across ESA Low LEO activities, while identifying and coordinating synergies with the EU Low LEO-related activities; * ensuring technical and operational compatibility of the Low LEO component with the future EU IRIS² baseline and associated secure connectivity services; * supporting the definition and execution of the roadmap for the progressive integration of Low LEO capabilities into the wider EU IRIS² ecosystem; * providing support to system architecture and platform consolidation activities, including identification of synergies and alignment opportunities with EU Low LEO activities; * monitoring programme risks, technical dependencies, schedules and implementation progress, proposing and coordinating mitigation actions where required; * ensuring that operational concepts, validation strategies and service demonstrations are technically mature, operationally credible and aligned with programme timelines and objectives; * close coordination with other project disciplines, including the System Office, the Space Segment Office, the Security Office and the Product Assurance and Safety Team, as well as with the Directorate of Controlling, Finance and Operational Procurement; * providing regular reporting, strategic recommendations and implementation status updates to the Head of the Secure Connectivity Ground Segment and Operations Office.

## Technical competencies

Demonstrated ability to provide technical leadership, strategic guidance and independent judgment in complex programme environments involving multiple parallel activities, stakeholders and system elements

Strong capability in programme and technical risk analysis, combined with the ability to assess operational concepts, validation strategies and service readiness to ensure credible and timely system deployment

Proven experience in the design, integration and operation of complex ground segment systems within large-scale satellite communication systems, with a solid understanding of end-to-end system behaviour across operational and pre-operational phases

Demonstrated ability to supervise industrial activities and major procurements, including technical evaluation of proposals, support to negotiations, monitoring of implementation progress and participation in major programmes

Strong ability to oversee and assess requirements management and verification approaches across system levels, ensuring coherence, traceability and compliance throughout the review of industrial deliverables, plans and evidence

Experience in managing and assessing system and subsystem interfaces within complex, distributed system-of-system architectures, ensuring consistency, interoperability and end-to-end integration across multiple stakeholders and contributing elements

## Behavioural competencies

## Education and professional experience

A master’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline 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

* Demonstrated ability to work autonomously while maintaining strong coordination and alignment within wider programme structures and governance frameworks; * Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced and evolving programme environments, adapting proactively to changing priorities, schedules and stakeholder needs; * Strong planning, coordination and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple parallel activities, interfaces and deadlines effectively; * Results-oriented mindset, with the ability to prioritise tasks, drive implementation and communicate practical recommendations clearly, both orally and in writing; * Ability to manage challenging situations constructively and proactively, maintaining effective collaboration among institutional, industrial and operational stakeholders; * Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary and multicultural teams; * Ability to synthesise and communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences, including senior management and institutional stakeholders; * Direct experience working with telecommunications operators, service providers or satellite communications industry actors; * Experience in projects involving security, resilience or governmental communications dimensions; * Public speaking and presentation experience, including participation in technical reviews, workshops or stakeholder coordination forums.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 30 July 2026, 7 days ago.

The application deadline is 31 August 2026, 24 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 6 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 Villanueva De La Cañada see our Villanueva De La Cañada 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.