Secure Connectivity Performance Validation Engineer

Secure Connectivity Performance Validation Engineer

Job Requisition ID: 19697

Date Posted: 29 October 2025

Closing Date: 12 November :59 CET/CEST

Publication: Internal & External

Type of Contract: Permanent

Directorate: Connectivity and Secure Communications

Workplace:Noordwijk, NL

Grade Band: A2 - A4

Location

ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description

Secure Connectivity Performance Validation Engineer in the System Validation Section in the Secure Connectivity System Section 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 Validation Section in the System Office of the Secure Connectivity Department is responsible for all system validation tasks to support the effective qualification and validation of the overall Secure Connectivity system of systems.

Duties

Reporting to the Head of the Secure Connectivity System Validation Section, you will have the following responsibilities:

• Supporting ESA's role of Qualification and Validation Authority of the IRIS² system to ensure that the IRIS² system infrastructure complies with the applicable performance requirements;
• Following up the performance of the system from as-designed to as-built;
• Defining and maintaining the main system performance drivers and performing the necessary design trade-offs (including the margin policy) to ensure that the mission performance will be achieved;
• Establishing and maintaining the system performance budgets throughout the project life cycle to ensure compliance with system and mission requirements;
• Following up the industrial activities related to system verification and qualification of the overall IRIS² system infrastructure at segment and system level until the SQR (system qualification review), the IOVR (in-orbit validation review) and the SVR (service validation review), paying particular attention to the system performance;
• Within the qualification and validation plan, defining and implementing the overall performance validation programme of work, from the initial system simulations (to be completed using agreed methodologies) to the validation of performance as-designed during the CDR (critical design review), as-built at the SQR, and as-operated at the SVR;
• Defining and managing the development of the system performance simulation tools required to support these system qualification and validation activities;
• Following up the corresponding space and ground segment qualification activities, in close cooperation with the PA and Safety Manager and the Space, Ground and Security Offices, ensuring that compliance with the main system performance parameters is correctly achieved as early as possible, and intervening in the event of non-conformances with an impact on the system or mission;
• Coordinating closely with the relevant IPT members, in particular the System and Ground Segment Officer, the Development and Validation Officer, the User Terminal, Spectrum and Signal Officer and the Critical External Interfaces Officer;
• Continuously monitoring the qualification status by reviewing design changes, new developments or changes outside the system requirements, and assessing their impact on the system qualification with respect to the system performance and on the roadmap for service provision;
• Supporting the maintenance of the non-conformance correction plan for issues affecting system performance, and following up the corresponding non-conformance recovery or waiver approval;
• Providing regular reporting to project management on all aspects of your area of competence, identifying risks and problem areas and proposing mitigation actions, where appropriate;
• Contributing to the management of the schedule and the maintenance of the overall project risk register, and proposing schedule risk mitigation actions;
• may have the delegation responsibility from project management on programmatic aspects;
• Developing and maintaining an efficient interface with the European Commission, EUSPA and the IRIS² concessionaire.

Technical competencies

Experience in the development, deployment and qualification of large-scale complex distributed systems with a security component

Experience in managing and monitoring industrial activities (interfaces with industry, reviews, etc.)

Experience of system performance modelling and simulation, including validation with on-the-field tests

Knowledge of satellite communication systems, preferably constellations, including interfaces, networks and protocols

Experience with product assurance standards and their application in a project environment, including software development standards and space qualification standards

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

A master's degree in engineering, physics or a relevant scientific field is required for this post.

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 in 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

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, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and Canada, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.

According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States*. When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates and secondly to external candidates from under-represented 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.

• Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.

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