D2D 5G​/6G Network Lead Mission Engineer

Location: Noordwijk

The  D2D 5G/6G Network Lead Mission Engineer  will work in the D2D Project within the Communication Constellations and NG 5G6G NTN Partnerships Division in the Commercial Partnerships Department within the Directorate of Commercialisation and Industry Partnerships.

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

Grade band
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.

Description
Reporting to the D2D Mission Manager, you will be responsible for all 5G/6G network development and procurement aspects for the Direct-to-Device (D2D) Partnership Projects (ELEOSYS and SELYCE) under the same Department.

You will be the focal point and day-to-day interface with the satellite operators and industrial prime contractors, and, under the leadership and authority of management, will be responsible for decision-making on behalf of the ESA Partnership Projects and for the design, development, qualification, on-ground verification and in-orbit validation of 5G/6G network elements, ensuring overall consistency with the mission requirements and end-to-end performances within schedule and cost.

Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) connectivity for Direct-to-Device (D2D) presents one of the greatest potential growth opportunities in satcom. The objective of the D2D partnership projects is to design, develop, qualify, integrate and validate satellite payload, platform and ground network innovative technologies using ESA Member States’ supply chain solutions in a pre-operational system showcasing emerging D2D services.

Duties
Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

leading and coordinating the definition, procurement, design, development, qualification, acceptance, deployment and ground- and in-orbit validation of the 5G/6G NTN system architecture for the D2D Partnership Projects;

ensuring the alignment of the mission performances with the system requirements for the space, ground and user segments, and compliance with the specified requirements;

supervising the development and validation of the 5G/6G NTN software protocol stack, both on board and on the ground, including end-to-end system integration and validation through testbeds and in-orbit demonstrations;

leading the end-to-end integration of NTN payloads, RAN and core subsystems, and O-RAN/NTN-with the different ground architectures;

ensuring technical consistency and effective coordination across the various project areas under the responsibility of the project team;

interfacing with industrial counterparts to review, monitor and support contractors’ technical progress and implementation status;

supporting, as required, industry tailoring and leading the subsequent application of ESA, international and industry standards;

responsibility for the requirements and specifications, technical budgets, design drivers, internal and external interfaces, system performance and operational concepts, including their consistency with the mission requirements, specifications and technical budgets;

managing, together with the operators and the industrial prime contractors, the system, subsystem and equipment reviews in your area of competence;

participating in all level reviews as lead 5G/6G network representative of the department D2D projects;

leading the preparation and implementation of mission, system, and lower-level reviews in cooperation with the project team and supporting…