Mission Performance and Processor 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.

Overview

The contractor will provide support to Earth Observation Projects in the domain of End-to-end (E2E) Mission Performance covering both software and algorithm aspects. He/she will work integrated in the relevant Project
Teams and will report to the System Manager (or equivalent role within the Project). The support will address:

Specific Tasks

• Technical definition, the procurement and the verification of the E2E Mission Performance Simulator software chain including in particular the Instrument Simulator and the Level 1 Processor Prototype.
• Definition and execution or supervision of activities within and outside ESA to ensure the E2E mission performance, in particular at Level-1. To do this he/she will contribute to the activities of the other staff and contractors, interfacing with internal (e.g. Instrument Engineer, GS Engineer) and external (e.g. Industry, Mission Scientist, Level 2 team) actors as needed.

Their specific duties will include:

• Contribute to the overall specification of the E2E Mission Performance simulator chain (from Scene Generation up to Level-2).
• 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.
• Monitoring the development and the integration of the overall E2E.
• Mission Performance Simulator chain and its components, developed through an ESA contract with industry.
• Reviewing the Level-1 and Instrument Simulator algorithms and input/output interfaces.
• Perform the integration of E2E Mission Performance Simulator chain developed by industry with the L2 scientific components developed by scientists.
• 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.
• 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. In performing the above duties the Contractor will work closely with the staff of the relevant Project Team as well coordinates for common practices, standards, tools with EOP-PE.

In performing the above duties, the Contractor will work closely with the other staff of the relevant Project Team as well coordinates for common practices, standards, tools with EOP-PE.

Specific Qualification requirements

• Master’s degree or equivalent qualification in Computer science, Physics or Engineering.
• Very good knowledge of computer environments and software development (Linux, compilers, debuggers, scripting such as python, shell scripts, perl…).
• Knowledge of the Earth Observation (payload data) ground segment, including: processes such as calibration, monitoring routine data processing; processors and facilities; interactions with other stakeholders (FOS, end users).
• Knowledge of data analysis/processing (statistics, error budgets; simulations; data tools).
• Working knowledge on remote sensing techniques.
• Ability to work both autonomously and as part of a team within the boundaries of assigned tasks and a stringent schedule.
• Proficiency in English language (spoken and written) is essential.

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 to a company pension scheme.

To be considered for this Position

Prior to 26 April 2023, please apply via our Job Application form quoting EOP-192 (RT-C/EOP-B/00192)  as reference.

Aurora will agree conditional employment terms and conditions with candidates before presenting them by 28 Abril 2023, 13.00 hours.

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