End-to-End Mission and SAR Instrument Performance Engineer

Aurora is an established supplier of skilled manpower to ESA and in particular at ESTEC and ESAC. Aurora has the opportunity to expand our support to ESA in the domain of EOP – Engineering Support to Earth Observation.

Happiness of our employees has proven key to obtaining excellent results and a client who also regards us highly for excellent service.

Specific Tasks

• Contributing to the overall specification of the E2E Mission Performance Simulator chain (from Scene Generation up to Level-2).
• Technical support to the assessment and verification of SAR instrument end-to-end performances.
• Monitoring the development of the Instrument Simulator Software developed through an ESA contract with industry.
• Monitoring the development of the Level 1 Prototype Processor Software developed through an ESA contract with industry.
• Supporting the development of scientific components (Scene Generator, Level 2 Prototype Processor Software) developed through a contract with industry and scientific institution.
• Monitoring the development and integration of the overall E2E Mission Performance Simulator chain and its components.
• Improvement and maintenance of SAR instrument performance and data processing tools (models, performances, budgets).
• Reviewing the Level-1 and Instrument Simulator algorithms, software code and input/output interfaces.
• Reviewing the Level-2 input/output interfaces, in particular with respect to Level-1.
• Ensuring that the E2E Mission Performance Simulator chain and its components and algorithms meet the required functionality and performance, taking into account system, instrument, geophysical model and calibration/validation facility aspects.
• Installing, maintaining and operating an up to date copy of the E2E Mission Performance Simulator software at ESTEC.
• Administering the internal ESA software problems list and ensure correct iteration with the implementors.
• Analysing impacts on the mission performance resulting from deviations during the development programme.
• Ensuring the proper verification and validation methods are proposed and implemented.
• Supporting Test Data production and verification.
• Supporting the analysis of the data collected during on-ground and in-orbit calibration and characterisation campaigns.
• Developing any needed software tool to support all the mentioned activities.
• Providing necessary inputs for the relevant internal and external meetings.

Specific Qualification requirements

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Physics, Engineering or Computer Science.
• Background covering the various remote sensing technologies: passive (imagers, radiometers…) and active (radar, laser…).
• A sound and proven experience in software development environments.
• A sound and proven experience in Earth Observation ground processing chains.
• A sound and proven experience in data analysis.
• A working knowledge of remote sensing instrument techniques.
• A working knowledge of complex systems modelling and simulation.
• A good experience of interacting with other stakeholders (engineers, scientists).
• A good knowledge of the English.
• A good level of autonomy and organizing skills.

Legal and Security Requirements

• All applicants must be legally allowed to work in The Netherlands.
• Applicants are required to provide a copy of their passport and degree certificate. Aurora will validate the Degree with the issuing University and provide evidence to ESA.
• Prior to issuing a letter of employment the applicant shall provide to Aurora a recent official document declaring that they are of good conduct from the country where currently resident.

Location

The work will be performed at the European Space Technology and Research Centre (ESTEC) at Noordwijk, The Netherlands.

Contract

• The selected candidate will receive good remuneration  in line with ESA Job Class.
• Will be registered for both social security and tax in the Netherlands.
• The standard working hours are 40 per week. There are 12 public holidays and an additional 30 annual days holiday.
• Training to improve efficiency and provide strength for future career are of course included.
• Aurora assist with relocation both with support and financially.
• Aurora contributes 15,4% of pensionable salary to a company pension scheme and employees can optionally make additional contributions.

To be considered for this Position

Prior to 30 September 2024, please apply via our Job Application form quoting E-ENG-07-02 as reference.

If not directly interested, feel free to share by this Job Vacancy with your friends!