Copernicus Sentinel-2 NG Lead Instrument End-to-End Data Chain Engineer

Copernicus Sentinel-2 NG Lead Instrument End-to-End Data Chain Engineer Job Requisition ID: 20677 Date Posted: 6 August 2026 Closing Date: 6 September 2026 23:59 CET/CEST Publication: Internal & External Type of Appointment: Fixed-Term Directorate: Earth Observation Programmes Workplace: Noordwijk, NL Grade Band: A2 - A4 ​ This is a fixed-term appointment with an initial duration of 4 years. Depending upon performance and organisational needs, the appointment may be extended up to a possible maximum duration of 8 years. Location ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands Description Copernicus Sentinel-2 NG Lead Instrument End-to-End Data Chain Engineer in the Payload Management Section, Copernicus S2 and S2 Next Generation Project, Copernicus Space Segment Programme, Projects Department, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes. The Sentinel-2 Next Generation (S2 NG) mission will ensure enhanced continuity of the Copernicus Sentinel-2 first-generation measurements into the 2030s. The project has completed its Phase A/B1 and is entering the Phase B2/C/D implementation phase. In that context, you will serve as Lead Instrument End-to-End Data Chain Engineer for the Copernicus S2 NG mission. You will report to the S2 NG Payload Manager for all technical and programmatic matters and will work within the relevant project team. You will be responsible for the procurement and timely delivery of the S2 NG instrument data chain subsystems, including the front-end electronics, data processing units and instrument control unit, during Phase B2/C/D/E1. You will work in close cooperation with other engineers within the S2NG project and will coordinate specialised technical support from the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality (D/TEC). You will also support additional Copernicus projects featuring optical instruments, such as LSTM and/or CHIME.Duties Under the supervision of the Payload Manager, you will bear technical responsibility for the delivery of the end-to-end data chain subsystems of the overall S2 NG optical instrument. Your responsibilities will include the supervision of the design, development, manufacturing, integration, verification, test and characterisation of the instrument end-to-end data chain elements. These encompass analogue-to-digital converters, high-speed memories and optical/electrical interconnects, advanced digital processing architectures implementing complex, high-throughput, real-time image data pre-processing and reduction functions, and instrument control electronics. As part of the project team, you will cooperate with the other elements of the system, supported as required by experts from D/TEC, in the relevant engineering domains. Your main tasks and responsibilities will include: • managing the industrial activities by supervising the specification, design, procurement, development and verification/acceptance of instrument end-to-end data chain hardware and software, including coordination across functional teams and end-user organisations/operators throughout the project lifetime, from the procurement tender to in-flight commissioning; • leading the instrument end-to-end data chain requirements and specifications, technical budgets, design drivers, architectural trade-offs, internal and external payload interfaces, spacecraft-level payload performance and operational concepts relating for example to instrument modes, commanding and synchronisation, including their consistency with the mission requirements, specifications and technical budgets; • monitoring the industrial progress and design evolution at instrument data chain subsystem and equipment levels, ensuring it remains consistent with the technical and programmatic requirements; • monitoring the instrument end-to-end data chain and relevant technology development roadmaps as necessary; • monitoring the industrial verification activities to ensure proper verification, including resolving non-conformances and supporting the assessment of deviations and waivers; • providing regular reporting to project management and identifying technical risk areas, proposing and monitoring mitigation measures; • contributing to the management of the schedule and proposing schedule optimisation and risk mitigation actions; • coordinating the instrument end-to-end data chain AIV activities and supporting the spacecraft AIV activities, including validation of instrument operational modes and control functions, the preparation of the launch campaign and the in-orbit commissioning of the instrument; • delegated responsibility from project and/or payload management on programmatic aspects as necessary; • leading a team of engineers and specialised engineering support from D/TEC and the Directorate of Operations (D/OPS). You will also support additional Copernicus optical projects by contributing to a subset of the activities and responsibilities outlined above.Technical competencies Multidisciplinary technical knowledge and experience in your area of responsibility, in particular in relation to end-to-end data chain subsystemsKnowledge of and experience in the design, development, integration, verification, characterisation and testing of high-performance onboard data acquisition, processing and control systems for optical space-borne instrumentsExperience of managing technical interfaces between subsystems within ESA project team environment or with the industrial consortiumKnowledge of and experience in project risk management processes, industrial costs and schedule aspectsKnowledge of and experience in space system development and engineering and product assurance standardsBehavioural 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 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 Extensive knowledge of analogue and digital electronic system architectures, including their breakdown into hardware, firmware and software items, is considered an asset.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. 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 »