Antenna Engineer

Antenna Engineer (2 Positions)
Job

Requisition

Date Posted: 8 June 2026

Closing Date: 29 June 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication:
Internal & External

Type of Appointment: 4 years, extendable to indefinite

Directorate:
Technology, Engineering and Quality

Workplace:
Noordwijk, NL

Grade Band: A2 - A4

Location:

ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

This vacancy is published to recruit for either: an appointment of 4 years, extendable to an indefinite duration; or a fixed‑term appointment with an initial duration of 4 years that, depending on performance and organisational needs, may be extended up to a maximum total duration of 8 years.

Description
Antenna Engineer, Antennas and Submillimetre Waves Section, Radio Frequency Payloads and Technology Division, Electrical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

The Antennas and Submillimetre Waves Section provides functional support to ESA projects across all domains (navigation, Earth observation, telecommunications/secure connectivity, human and robotic exploration, and launchers) and carries out technological research (R&D) in the field(s) of space antenna systems, submillimetre wave instruments, and associated technologies.

The Antennas and Submillimetre Waves Section covers:

Analysis, engineering, radio frequency modelling and design tool developments of standalone antennas (ground and space), as well as interference effects among antennas and with the spacecraft structure or other platforms, such as aircraft, trains and vehicles;

Design and analysis of all antenna (active and passive) subsystems, including standalone radiators, arrays, reflectors, lens optics, dichroics and their associated focal planes;

Analysis, engineering, radio frequency modelling and design tool developments of instrument architecture, antennas, front‑end technology and components for submillimetre wave applications.

Duties
Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

Providing expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects, programmes and general studies in the field of space antenna systems, submillimetre wave instruments and associated technologies throughout all project phases;

Participating in feasibility studies, 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;

Fostering new application areas for multidisciplinary activities, placing emphasis on innovative concepts, cutting‑edge technologies and system architectures;

Laboratory activities as required;

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

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

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

Technical Competencies

General background and specific experience in the technical domains covered by the position;

Experience in the management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in reviews;

Understanding of related technologies, R&D trends and the industrial landscape;

Experience with the design, development and application of relevant tools and methods;

Project support experience in a relevant domain;

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

Experience in the development and verification (laboratory or field testing) of relevant technical equipment and space hardware.

Behavioural Competencies

Result Orientation;

Operational Efficiency;

Fostering Cooperation;

Relationship Management;

Continuous Improvement;

Forward Thinking.

For more information, please refer to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook.

Education And Professional Experience
A master's degree in Telecommunications or electrical engineering with a comprehensive background in electromagnetic wave theory is…