Secure Connectivity 5G NTN End-to-End System and Validation Lead Engineer

Secure Connectivity 5G NTN End-to-End System and Validation Lead Engineer Job Requisition ID: 20845 Date Posted: 21 August 2026 Closing Date: 11 September 2026 23:59 CET/CEST Publication: Internal & External Type of Appointment: 4 years, extendable to indefinite Directorate: Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity Workplace: Noordwijk, NL Grade Band: A2 - A4 Location ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands Description Secure Connectivity 5G NTN End-to-End System and Validation Lead Engineer in the System Architecture Section, Secure Connectivity System Office, Secure Connectivity Programme Department, Directorate for Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity. The ESA Programme Related to EU Secure Connectivity, 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. This includes the follow-up of the system design and development for IRIS2. 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. This includes the follow-up of the 5G implementation in the IRIS2 system. Reporting to the Head of the Secure Connectivity System Architecture Section, you will be responsible for the implementation and validation in IRIS2 of 5G NTN (non-terrestrial networks), considered as an end-to-end product covering the space segment, ground segment and user terminal. Duties Your tasks and responsibilities will include: • following the implementation of 5G within the end-to-end system architecture, system behaviour, concept of operations, system scenarios and use cases; • establishing and maintaining the IRIS2 5G roadmap, describing the incremental implementation of the system capabilities through successive 3GPP releases; • ensuring technical end-to-end consistency of the satellite access network, notably considering the resource management and 5G end-to-end implementation; • ensuring the derivation and traceability of the 5G system and segment requirements including functional, performance, operational, service and security requirements; • proposing corrective measures to respond to deviations from mission requirements established at programme level; • defining, specifying and maintaining end-to-end performance requirements, KPIs and associated verification and validation strategies for 5G NTN services across the space, ground and user segments; • leading and coordinating end-to-end performance validation activities, including system-level simulations, testbeds, ground testing and in-orbit validation campaigns; • monitoring and assessing system-level performance against defined budgets (capacity, latency, availability, reliability, QoS/QoE), identifying deviations and ensuring consistency with mission and service requirements; • supporting the definition and execution of performance test plans, validation scenarios and measurement methodologies in coordination with industrial partners and internal ESA stakeholders; • ensuring traceability between performance requirements, system architecture design choices and validation results; • following the user terminal development to ensure the correct end-to-end implementation of the 5G air interface; • 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 a proper understanding and implementation of the 5G NTN; • supporting the preparation and participation of 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 competence; • supporting technical interaction with national delegations, the IRIS2 programme (the European Commission), the European Union Agency for the Space Programme and the different standardisation bodies such as 3GPP; • taking on responsibility for programmatic aspects if delegated from project management. Technical competencies Experience in the design and implementation of 5G NTN systems, including end-to-end validation at different project phases (from testbed to in-orbit testing). Experience in the implementation of large space programmes or projects, ideally in the area of telecommunications satellite constellations.  Multidisciplinary and comprehensive knowledge of system of systems architecture, definition of related technical requirements and on-ground and in-orbit validation activities.  Experience in the 3GPP standardisation process including security aspects. Extensive experience in the management and monitoring of industrial activities, including technical and contractual negotiations, and management of technical reviews.Behavioural competencies Result Orientation Operational Efficiency Fostering Cooperation Relationship Management Continuous Improvement Forward Thinking For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebookEducation and professional experience A master’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline is required for this post together with four years of relevant professional experience. Alternatively, candidates with a bachelor’s degree and an additional four years of relevant professional experience may be considered. Additional requirements Experience of working with a commercial telecommunications company and/or operator is desirable. Experience of working in secure environments or projects is desirable. You should be able to demonstrate that you can handle pressure and conflict as may typically occur in a project team. You should be result-oriented, able to set priorities, and capable of presenting practical solutions both verbally and in writing. 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, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. 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, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia. According to the ESA Convention, staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the 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. Who we recruit » Recruitment Process » What we offer » Life at ESA » FAQ »