Senior Spacecraft Avionics Engineer

ETH Zurich | Space is dedicated to advancing space activities both within ETH and in collaboration with external stakeholders. Our mission is to position ETH Zurich as Europe's leading institution in space research and education, while also being recognized as a premier partner for space‑related projects within Switzerland and globally. Founded in 2022, ETH Zurich | Space has been under the leadership of Prof.

Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen since 2023. We are committed to driving technological advancements, shaping future policies, and inspiring the next generation of space scientists and engineers.

This position is offered as a fixed‑term appointment for an initial period of two years, with the possibility of extension.

The objective of this initiative is to establish and grow a centralized pool of space engineering expertise within ETH Zurich | Space. This pool will support ETH Zurich‑led space projects and technology programs, strengthening ETH Zurich's role as a key contributor to the Swiss and international space ecosystem.

A significant portion of this role will contribute to Lunar Leaper, an ETH Zurich‑led mission concept focused on innovative mobility and exploration strategies for the lunar surface. Lunar Leaper serves as a technology pathfinder for advanced planetary avionics, autonomy, and system integration, and provides a unique environment for developing and maturing high‑risk, high‑reward avionics solutions.

As part of the specialized resource pool, you will provide avionics engineering expertise across multiple space research projects at ETH Zurich. Working closely with scientists, systems engineers, and external partners, you will contribute to the design, development, integration, and verification of spacecraft avionics systems.

As part of your role, you will:

• Take technical ownership of spacecraft avionics subsystems, acting as the primary technical authority for onboard computing and data handling within the assigned project scope
• Design and develop spacecraft avionics architectures, including onboard computers, data handling systems, communication buses, and power interfaces
• Translate mission and payload needs into avionics requirements, specifications, and interface control documents (ICDs)
• Perform avionics hardware‑software integration, including embedded flight software, firmware, and real‑time systems
• Conduct and/or lead avionics trade studies, balancing performance, reliability, power, mass, and technology readiness
• Support assembly, integration, and test (AIT) activities for avionics subsystems and system‑level testing
• Develop and execute avionics test procedures, including functional testing and hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL) testing
• Support anomaly investigation, non‑conformance management, and participation in review boards
• Contribute to system‑level documentation and design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR)
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders, including academic partners, industry suppliers, and space agencies
• Support proposal preparation, technology development activities, and early‑stage mission concepts

You have a strong technical background in spacecraft avionics and embedded systems, combined with the ability to work across multiple projects in a collaborative academic environment.

We are looking for someone with:

• Master's degree in aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience in spacecraft avionics engineering
• Experience with onboard data handling systems, avionics buses, and subsystem interfaces
• Knowledge of embedded software, real‑time systems, and hardware‑software integration
• Familiarity with avionics AIT, verification, and validation activities
• Strong organizational and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams
• Knowledge of radiation‑tolerant electronics, redundancy, and FDIR concepts
• Hands‑on experience contributing to spacecraft flight software development and testing
• Ability to deliver technical solutions under time and resource constraints

Candidates who do not completely fulfill all requirements are also encouraged to apply.