End-to-End Navigation System Engineer

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Closing Date: 16 August 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Directorate:
Technology, Engineering and Quality

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.

End-to-End Navigation System Engineer in the Navigation Systems Implementation and Validation Section, End-to-End Systems Division, Systems Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

Our team and mission:
You will be based in the Navigation Systems Implementation and Validation Section. The Section provides expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects, programmes and general studies in the field of radio navigation systems and techniques (positioning, navigation and timing, in particular global navigation satellite systems) throughout all project phases.

The Section manages a vast portfolio of R&D and commercial technology development activities, spanning programmes such as the Navigation Innovation and Support Programme (NAVISP), the General Support Technology Programme (GSTP) and InCubed. We actively explore multidisciplinary application areas, focusing on innovative concepts, cutting‑edge technologies and strengthening European commercial competitiveness.

As an End-to-End Navigation System Engineer, your primary responsibilities focus on the implementation and management of commercial technology development projects under GSTP Element 2 and NAVISP Element
2. Your duties include:

• acting as Technical Officer for a diverse portfolio of commercial R&D contracts, overseeing activities from the idea pitch phase through to the final review, enhancing project outcomes and ensuring continuous improvement;
• evaluating the commercial landscape and business plans for proposed technologies (e.g. New Space initiatives, autonomous systems, maritime and railway PVT applications), monitoring market success risks and maintaining alignment with programme objectives;
• providing broad technical expertise across the evolving positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) landscape, including hybrid positioning techniques, multi-sensor data fusion, LEO‑PNT concepts, and alternative PNT solutions;
• driving technology developments related to PNT resilience against modern GNSS threats (jamming, spoofing and meaconing), including the evaluation of systems based on controlled reception pattern, robust receiver designs, and advanced resilient navigation concepts;
• defining, guiding, and supporting hands‑on test campaigns within the ESTEC Navigation Laboratory to evaluate, prototype and verify new commercial PNT technologies, resilient systems and third‑party equipment;
• managing end‑to‑end procurement processes, which entails preparing statements of work, leading Tender Evaluation Boards, conducting contract negotiations and monitoring industrial milestone execution;
• continuously identifying potential risks throughout the project lifecycle, interacting proactively with industrial partners to implement mitigation strategies that minimise impacts on deliverables and timelines;
• engaging actively in cross‑directorate cooperation, proposing new and innovative R&D activities, and capturing and disseminating technical knowledge across the Agency.

Broad understanding of GNSS technologies, R&D trends, and the commercial industrial landscape.

Solid technical background in resilient navigation systems, including physical layer security, anti‑jamming/anti‑spoofing techniques, and alternative/complementary PNT.

Proven experience in technology business development, assessing commercial viability, and business plan management for Earth observation or navigation commercial applications.

Experience in the preparation of procurement activities for technology development and innovation (Statements of Work, proposal evaluation).

Experience in the management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in formal technical reviews.

• Result Orientation
• Operational Efficiency
• Fostering Cooperation
• Relationship Management
• Continuous Improvement
• Forward Thinking

A master's…