SatCom AI Technology Lead

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Closing Date: 6 November 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication Method:
Internal & External

Type of Appointment ( learn more) : 4 years, extendable to indefinite

Directorate:
Commercialisation and Industry Partnership

Location
ECSAT, Harwell, United Kingdom or ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

The Sat Com AI Technology Lead within the Commercial Partnerships Department (CIP-P) in the Directorate of Commercialisation and Industry Partnership (CIP), directly reports to the Head of the Commercial Technologies, Products, Systems and Future Partnerships Division.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform the design, development, operation and commercialisation of satellite communications systems and services. It can enable autonomous and adaptive networks, optimise satellite resources and spectrum, accelerate engineering and product development, and support new services across integrated terrestrial and Non-Terrestrial Networks.

You will be responsible for advancing AI-enabled opportunities for commercial satellite communications, translating identified technology and market needs into development activities and supporting their progression towards operational application and commercial exploitation.
Acting as a focal point for Sat Com AI activities within CIP, you will bring together relevant technical, programme and commercial expertise across ESA, industry, operators, academia and the wider AI ecosystem to progress promising opportunities from concept through development, demonstration and validation.

You will lead the definition, development and productization of artificial intelligence-enabled solutions for satellite communications, including activities delivered through the ECSAT AI Hub and in cooperation with relevant ESA programmes, industry and institutional partners.

The role will translate strategic objectives and market needs into a coherent Satcom AI product portfolio, roadmaps, demonstrators and scalable solutions. It will connect satellite communications expertise with artificial intelligence, data platforms and software-enabled network capabilities, with a focus on operational value, commercial adoption and responsible deployment. The postholder will coordinate multidisciplinary teams and external partners, oversee product lifecycle activities from opportunity identification to validation and exploitation, and ensure alignment with ESA procurement, governance and programme objectives.

Your tasks and responsibilities will include the following:

• Contributing to the development and maintenance of Sat Com AI technology roadmaps by assessing emerging technologies, market developments, capability needs and potential use cases and identifying opportunities for further development;
• Assessing and prioritising AI-enabled Sat Com opportunities, taking account of their technical potential, maturity, application needs, development requirements and prospective operational and commercial value;
• Translating selected opportunities into appropriate development activities, demonstrators, pilots or proof-of-concepts, defining their objectives, scope and technical requirements with relevant experts and partners;
• Advancing AI-enabled Sat Com solutions through development and validation, identifying how technology maturity, Sat Com system requirements, data and computing needs, validation requirements and operational constraints need to be addressed;
• Assessing the results of development activities and determining the further development, validation or integration required to progress promising solutions towards operational application or commercial exploitation;
• Assessing industry-proposed AI activities and associated business and market assumptions and providing recommendations on their technical potential, maturity, development needs and prospective application;
• Coordinating multidisciplinary contributions from ESA technical experts, industry, operators, AI companies, universities and research institutions required to progress Sat Com AI activities effectively;
• Identifying opportunities to connect Sat Com AI activities with relevant ESA programmes, the ECSAT AI Hub and external initiatives where complementary capabilities or development opportunities exist;
• Providing technical advice on Sat Com AI opportunities and activities within the Directorate and representing the Department in relevant technical discussions and coordination forums;
• Monitoring relevant developments in AI…