Guidance, Navigation and Control; GNC Systems Engineer

Position: Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) Systems Engineer
Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description
Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) Systems Engineer in the GNC Systems Architecture Section, GNC, AOCS and Pointing Division, Electrical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality. The GNC Systems Architecture Section provides functional support to ESA projects in the technical field of GNC systems for planetary and small solar system object exploration orbiters and landers, launch and transportation systems, re‑entry vehicles, new‑generation space vehicles for in‑orbit robotic operations, including in‑orbit servicing, assembly and manufacturing and debris removal, and specialised applications such as rendezvous and formation flying.

The GNC Systems Architecture Section carries out technology research in the field of GNC systems for space vehicles, including interplanetary cruise, aero‑assistance, precision landing, ascent, rendezvous and docking, re‑entry, formation flying and drag‑free systems. This covers in particular autonomous and fault‑tolerant systems, including health monitoring systems, and advanced guidance, control, estimation and optimisation techniques and tools, as well as the technology development of GNC sensors with a focus on vision‑based navigation and hybrid navigation concepts.

Duties
Your Tasks and Responsibilities Will Include:

Providing expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects, programmes and general studies in the area of GNC requirements analysis and trade‑offs for system, software and hardware units, GNC performance analysis and budgeting, GNC system, software and unit procurement, and GNC system verification and validation throughout all project phases, including GNC fault detection, isolation and recovery.

Participating in feasibility studies, including Phase 0 in the ESA Concurrent Design Facility, project reviews and the evaluation of procurement proposals.

Identifying critical development problems and assisting in their resolution.

Contributing to the definition of technology development requirements and work plans for the Agency’s technology programmes.

Defining, initiating and managing R&D activities covering both long‑ and short‑term needs and addressing mission‑enabling GNC system concepts as well as mathematical modelling, multi‑physics simulation of complex spacecraft dynamics, and advanced guidance, control, estimation and optimisation techniques and tools.

Fostering new application areas for multidisciplinary activities, with an emphasis on innovative concepts, cutting‑edge technologies and system architectures.

Laboratory activities for the evaluation and prototyping of new GNC systems and sensors, as required.

Monitoring applicable scientific and technological trends and maintaining state‑of‑the‑art expertise.

Contributing to the dissemination of the results of activities performed and the transfer of knowledge across the Agency.

Your duties may also include supporting other activities within your area of competence.

Technical Competencies

Understanding of related technologies and R&D trends and familiarity with the industrial landscape.

Project support experience in a relevant domain.

General knowledge of ESA and EU Space Programmes.

Experience in the preparation of procurement activities for technology development and innovation, such as statements of work and proposal evaluation.

Experience in the management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in reviews and procurement of GNC units.

General background and experience in the technical domains covered by the position.

Behavioural Competencies

Result Orientation

Operational Efficiency

Fostering Cooperation

Relationship Management

Continuous Improvement

Forward Thinking

Education and Professional Experience
A master’s degree in aerospace engineering or control engineering is required for this post together with 5 years of relevant professional experience.

Additional Requirements
Proven experience in the development (design, analysis, simulation and testing) of GNC systems for exploration missions, space transportation systems, planetary science and/or active debris removal or in‑orbit servicing, assembly and…