Skip to content

Systems & Test

Secure Connectivity System Architecture Engineer

European Space Agency (ESA) logoEuropean Space Agency (ESA)Noordwijk, NetherlandsAdded 1w ago

About the job

## Location ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands ## Description Secure Connectivity System Architecture Engineer in the System Architecture Section in the Secure Connectivity System Office within the Secure Connectivity Department 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 System Architecture Section in the Secure Connectivity System Office is responsible for all systems engineering tasks to support the effective design and development of the overall Secure Connectivity system of systems. ## Duties Reporting to the Head of the Secure Connectivity System Architecture Section, you will be responsible for the definition, consolidation and update of the overall IRIS² system architecture.

You will work at various levels: the system level to define the functional and logical architecture, and the segment level to ensure consistency in the architecture flow-down and the physical architecture. ## Your tasks and responsibilities will include - following up the definition, analyses and consolidation of the end-to-end system architecture, system behaviour, concept of operations, and system scenarios and use cases.

This will include unclassified and classified aspects, for which close coordination with the Secure Connectivity security team will be required - establishing and maintaining the Secure Connectivity architecture roadmap, describing the incremental implementation of the system capabilities through successive system releases - ensuring the derivation and traceability of system and segment requirements including functional, performance, operational, service and security requirements from the applicable mission baseline - monitoring and ensuring the compliance of the IRIS² system with the mission’s technical and performance requirements, including maintaining all system-level technical budgets - proposing corrective measures to respond to deviations from mission requirements established at programme level - establishing and applying state-of-the-art system architecting methodologies and tools - ensuring technical end-to-end consistency of the Satellite Transport Network, notably considering the resource management and 5G end-to-end implementation - liaising with the Ground Segment Office, the Security Office, the Space Segment Office, the PA and Safety Office, and the relevant industrial actors in order to ensure the proper - understanding and implementation of the system architecture - supporting the preparation of and participation in reviews relating to Secure Connectivity at system and segment level - supporting all engineering and R&D activities directly relating to the development and implementation of the system - supporting the preparation of future generations of the Secure Connectivity system of systems - monitoring relevant schedules in a proactive manner, identifying risk and problem areas in the System Office, providing assessments and proposing mitigation actions from industry and on the ESA side - providing regular reporting to project management on all aspects of your area of competence - may have he delegation responsibiity from project management on programmatic aspects - supporting technical interaction with national delegations, the IRIS² programme (the European Commission), the European Union Agency for the Space Programme and the GOVSATCOM operator. ## Technical competencies Knowledge of and experience in system architecting in large, complex projects and teams, including security aspects Experience with the implementation of large space programmes or projects, ideally in the area of telecommunications satellite constellations Experience in the design and implementation of large 5G systems Multidisciplinary and comprehensive knowledge of system of system architecture, the definition of related technical requirements, and on-ground and in-orbit validation activities Experience with product assurance and safety standards and their application in a project environment, preferably with space constellations ## 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 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 - Strong problem-solving skills to deal with day-to-day operational challenges, together with demonstrated planning and organisational skills. - A strong results orientation with the ability to set priorities and present practical solutions both orally and in writing. - The ability to manage challenging situations proactively and constructively and to be customer-focused. - Direct experience of working with a commercial telecommunications company and operator will be a distinct advantage. - Experience in public-private partnership projects would be an asset. - Public speaking experience and the ability to conceptualise complex ideas would be beneficial. - Experience working on projects with a security dimension would be beneficial. ## 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, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged. 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 contact.human.resources@esa.int . ## 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 & eligible to acquire the security clearance by their national security administrations. 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, Fi

From European Space Agency (ESA)'s job posting, checked 7 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.

Selected agencies hiring now

These agencies and apps pay SpaceJobs.Now a referral fee when someone we introduce is placed or signs up. It costs you nothing and never changes your pay. Employers' own jobs below keep their own order.

Sponsored

Sponsored jobs from job networks, which pay SpaceJobs.Now when you click one.

Free tools for this application: check your resume against this job, answer the application's questions or see every free tool.

New systems engineering, integration and test jobs in space, by email

One email a week with the newest ones, straight from the employers' own careers sites, with the pay each posting states. Free, stop anytime.

About European Space Agency (ESA)

Europe's space agency, hiring engineers, scientists and graduate trainees at its centres in the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium and France.

Pay on its listings: 0% of its open jobs state an hourly rate

How it pays: Paid as an ESA staff member on the agency's own payroll, under its staff regulations.

More systems engineering, integration and test jobs in space

A systems, integration or test engineer?

One profile for every employer here. Space companies and their recruiters ask us for people with a specific degree, clearance, specialty or location: add yours once, and when a job fits, we introduce you, only with your yes. Free.

Create my profile

European Space Agency (ESA) openings, sent to you weekly

Each week we send the newest postings from European Space Agency (ESA)'s own careers site, along with similar openings at other space employers. It costs nothing and you can stop anytime.