Junior Professional in Optical and Quantum Communication
Darmstadt, DE
This post is part of ESA’s Junior Professional Programme. We are looking for enthusiastic candidates with up to 2–3 years of relevant professional experience after their Master's degree to join ESA for a four-year assignment. During this time, you will be actively working and learning on the job and will benefit from valuable mobility and developmental opportunities that will prepare you for a successful career at ESA. Subject to performance, it is therefore the intention to offer you an indefinite contract which will start at the end of the four years.
The selection process for the 2025 cohort of Junior Professionals will take place during Spring 2025, with a projected start date in October or November 2025.
Recruitment will take place at the A1 grade. At the end of the fourth year and if you are offered an indefinite contract at the end of your Junior Professional assignment, you will be upgraded to the A2 grade.
Location
ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany or other site, as required.
Developmental assignments form an integral part of the JP Programme and may entail a temporary relocation to another ESA establishment or other location.
Description
This Junior Professional position will be in the Optical Technologies Section, which is part of the Ground Station Engineering Division of the Ground Systems Engineering & Innovation Department of the Directorate of Operations.
The Optical Technologies Section develops optical ground systems for space applications with a focus on optical ground stations. The developed systems are used for various applications, ranging from deep-space (quantum) optical communication and satellite laser ranging to laser-based active space debris removal.
Duties
As a Junior Professional, your initial tasks and responsibilities will include:
- managing and supervising the development of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) receivers for optical ground stations, initially in support to the Technical Officer and, subsequently, gradually taking over that role;
- system engineering of free-space optical and quantum communication systems, for example link budgets, subsystem selection and TRL analysis;
- supporting Quantum Key Distribution optical ground station technology definition and associated pre-development activities;
- conducting internal and external studies in the field of quantum optical communication.
As you progress within the Junior Professional Programme, your tasks and responsibilities will extend to:
- contributing to classified quantum communication project reviews;
- managing and supervising further developments around optical and quantum communication industrial activities as a Technical Officer.
Development programme
In addition to your daily work, you will take part in an extensive learning and development programme. From day one, you will learn on the job and benefit from tailored development opportunities, including participation in technical and key skills training courses.
Furthermore, there is a mobility component to the Junior Professional Programme that may consist of either an internal rotation to another team within ESA, an external secondment outside of ESA, or a combination of both. Internal rotations aim to boost your professional experience and knowledge of the European Space Agency, whereas external secondments aim to boost your professional experience and knowledge of the European space sector. For this particular position, you may be offered the opportunity to complete an external secondment to perform hands-on system engineering work on an optical ground station project for Quantum Key Distribution.
You will also support the management and technical supervision of Quantum Key Distribution receiver industrial activities and will develop into the role of Technical Officer for the projects.
Further, you will be embedded in an enthusiastic, supportive and diverse optical technology team. From day one, you will learn from recognised technical experts in the field of optical communication, who will support you to ensure that you quickly get up-to-speed on your new tasks.
In addition, access to the ground station reference facility and our optical ground stations will offer you the opportunity to not only conceive optical communication systems on paper, but also to see them in operation. This will provide you with an end-to-end understanding of what it means to bring new technology from conception into operations.
This programme represents a significant investment by ESA in your personal and professional development and is designed to provide you with the required knowledge and skills for a career at ESA. You can expect to be given many opportunities to develop your professional experience and competencies, to learn from ESA experts and to contribute to ESA activities.
Technical competencies
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
For more information, please refer to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook
Education
A master's degree in physics, quantum technology, optical communication engineering or a related field is required.
Additional requirements
You should have between two and three years of professional experience, preferably in a relevant domain, obtained following completion of your master's degree.
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
Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations & 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, the 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.