Junior Professional in Science Operations and Systems Engineering - EnVision Mission
Villanueva de la Cañada, ES
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
ESAC, Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain 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
ESA maintains a world-leading Science Programme with missions in heliophysics, planetary science, astrophysics and fundamental physics. Its mission is to 'Empower Europe to lead space science'. Together, the Department for Science Operations and the Office for Science Engagement and Oversight host the scientists and engineers that oversee the space missions, from study to end of operations. They define and develop the science operation systems for the missions and operate the missions in space, as well as archiving and curating their data during operations and beyond. Our main objective is to maximise the scientific output of ESA's space science missions for the benefit of humankind.
You will join us as Science Operations Engineer for ESA’s EnVision mission to Venus, within the EnVision Science Operations Centre, which is part of the Science Operations Development Division .
EnVision will be the first mission to investigate Venus from its inner core to its upper atmosphere, characterising the interaction between its different envelopes: its atmosphere, surface/subsurface and interior. It aims to provide a holistic view of Venus, studying the planet’s history, activity and climate. EnVision is targeting a launch in the early 2030s. The payload comprises VenSAR, an S-band radar also operating as a radiometer and altimeter for mapping the surface of Venus, three optical spectrometers (VenSpec-M, VenSpec-U and VenSpec-H) designed to observe the surface and atmosphere of Venus, and the subsurface radar sounder (SRS), a high-frequency sounding radar to probe the upper layer of the planet’s subsurface. These are complemented by a radio science investigation exploiting the spacecraft’s telemetry, tracking and command system to map the planet’s gravity field and constrain its internal structure, and to measure the composition and structure of Venus’ atmosphere.
The Science Operations Centre (SOC) supports the EnVision Project Scientist and the lead scientists of the instruments in planning scientific observations, providing science data and optimising the science return of the mission. During the development phase of the mission, the SOC works closely with the Project Team to continuously ensure that the spacecraft and mission design allow the science performance requirements to be met. The SOC works in close partnership with the Mission Operations Centre (MOC) which is responsible for commanding the spacecraft and ensuring the overall safety and smooth running of all spacecraft and payload operations.
Duties
The proposed position will offer you, as a young professional, the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience in spacecraft systems engineering, science operations and mission operations, as well as to be part of ESA’s EnVision mission to Venus. It will enable you to actively contribute to shaping the future systems and processes used in science operations centres and to be part of the Science Operations Team based at ESAC, Madrid.
During the early development phase of the mission, you will support the Science Operations Centre (SOC), the Performance Team and the Science Working Team in analysing and identifying opportunities to optimise science operation scenarios. You will also assess the impact of design trade-offs, new constraints or changes in mission design on science performance. Your problem-solving skills and programming expertise will be essential in developing ad hoc and responsive solutions.
To support this work, you will spend a period of time working with the EnVision Mission Performance team at ESTEC, gaining insight into spacecraft design aspects and constraints relevant to operations engineering, such as electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), data handling, attitude control and communications. Your role will require a responsive approach to science operations-related questions and uncertainties, providing timely analysis and operational insight.
As your understanding of science operations evolves, you will be encouraged to propose transformative software solutions to enhance planetary science operations planning and performance optimisation. Creativity and innovation are key expectations in this role; you will be encouraged to explore and adapt techniques from outside the Agency that could be applied to mission operations. Your knowledge of modern programming paradigms will also support the cross-mission systems engineering team in modernising common software tools.
As the mission progresses, you will take a leading role in science operations planning activities, working in close collaboration with the Mission Operations Centre (MOC) and the instrument teams. In preparation for the operations phase, you will spend time at the MOC in ESOC, developing a deep understanding of mission operations tasks, the roles of the flight control and flight dynamics teams, and the related systems, processes, and SOC interfaces. You will also contribute to ground segment validation activities during this time.
By the end of the Programme, you will be expected to be fully integrated in the EnVision SOC, playing a key operational role within the Science Operations Centre you will have helped to build and shape. Your work on optimisation and automation will have enhanced operational efficiency, reduced manual workload and human error, and increased the scientific return of the EnVision Venus mission.
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 can be 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.
While you will be based in the Science Operations Department at ESAC in Madrid, you will have the opportunity of working for a period of time within the Projects Department of the Directorate of Science at ESTEC, Noordwijk. You are also likely to have the opportunity to spend time at the Mission Operations Centre at ESOC, Darmstadt.
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 ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook
Education
A master's degree in science, engineering, mathematics, computer science/engineering, or similar.
Additional requirements
You should have between two and three years of professional experience, preferably in a relevant domain, after 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.
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.