GNC Systems Engineer [25211]

As part of the team at ESTEC you will have the following responsibilities:

• Technical support engineering to Projects and Missions:

 Support definition of GNC requirements and contribute to the elaboration of System/Mission Requirements related the GNC domain;

Support analyses and trade-offs for GNC systems software and hardware units;

Support execution of GNC performance analyses and performance budgeting;

 Support monitoring the industrial activities concerning design and development of GNC systems software and hardware units for ESA projects;

Supporting ESA staff in reviewing the project documentation as produced throughout the project lifetime in the area of GNC functional engineering;

Develop and maintain the engineering support tools needed for the GNC systems tasks;

Support procurement GNC hardware units;

Support monitoring the verification and validation process of GNC systems throughout all project phases;

Support provision of expertise in the GNC discipline to the AIT and AIV processes and to in-flight activities (e.g. LEOP commissioning in-flight anomaly investigations);

Support the definition analysis and verification of GNC-level and system-level Fault Detection Isolation and Recovery (FDIR);

Support provision of GNC expertise in feasibility studies and project reviews;

• R&D programmes and activities:

Support the definition of the technology development needs and work plans for ESAs technology programmes in the technical domains related to GNC systems

Support in defining initiating and managing GNC Systems R&D activities covering both long- and short-term needs;

Support in GNC Systems R&D activity reviews and meetings and reporting on the R&D activity development progress and planning

Support the dissemination of the results of the GNC Systems activities performed and the transfer of knowledge across the Agency;

Suggest lesson learnt important information and results from GNC Systems R&D developments Project support and hands-on activities in common repository;

Provide support during execution of R&D activities for mission enabling GNC system concepts GNC simulation modelling GNC systems model-based engineering machine learning application to GNC systems and advanced guidance control navigation/estimation and optimization techniques.

• GNC Systems facilities:

Support laboratory activities to evaluate and prototype new GNC systems functions/algorithms and sensors.

Assist ongoing projects with the design implementation prototyping testing evaluation benchmarking debugging and validation on the corresponding facility

Perform integration functional and performance testing of relevant hardware and software elements in the facility

Support recording analysis and documentation of test and validation activities and test results including equipment setup and configuration and failure incidents

Support the management of the planning of the facility accounting for priorities given by the WP Technical Responsible

Qualifications :

You will have the following qualifications and relevant experience:

• Masters University degree from a recognised Institution of secondary studies or equivalent qualification in Masters Degree in adequate fields control engineering and/or aerospace engineering and/or electrical engineering (or higher Degree than Masters degree)  with relevant experience;
• A minimum 4 years of relevant experience in AOCS and GNC systems engineering;
• Strong knowledge of GNC principles: guidance laws navigation algorithms control theory (linear and nonlinear) estimation techniques (e.g. Kalman filtering).
• Experience with spacecraft systems: attitude and orbit control systems (AOCS) propulsion sensors and actuators.
• Simulation and modeling skills: proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink Python or similar tools for GNC analysis and prototyping.
• Software development: experience with C/C Python or embedded systems for implementing GNC algorithms.
• Familiarity with ESA standards and ECSS (European Cooperation for Space Standardization) for system engineering and verification.
• Space mission phases: LEOP commissioning in-flight anomaly resolution.
• Fault Detection Isolation and Recovery (FDIR) concepts.
• AIT/AIV processes (Assembly Integration and Testing / Verification).
• Sensor technologies: star trackers gyroscopes GNSS receivers IMUs.
• Actuator technologies: reaction wheels thrusters magnetic torquers.
• R&D experience in advanced GNC concepts: machine learning applications optimization techniques model-based engineering.
• Hands-on experience with laboratory facilities for prototyping and testing.
• Knowledge of procurement processes for hardware units.
• Ability to perform trade-off analyses and performance budgeting.
• Fluency in English is mandatory; knowledge of another European language is an advantage.

Additional Information :

This job is located in Noordwijk the Netherlands.

If you think you have what it takes for this job please send your CV (in English and in Word or PDF) by clicking on the button Apply for this job quoting job NL-HP-25211.

An exciting and dynamic international working environment awaits you!

Inclusive and committed employer our company works every day to combat all forms of discrimination and promote a respectful working environment. Thats why committed to gender diversity and overall inclusivity we encourage all applications and profiles. Last apply date: 22/01/2026!

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time