Copernicus CRISTAL and CIMR Mission Expert Engineer

Are you looking for a new opportunity to take your career to a higher orbit? To join an international group with a successful track record in Space Engineering? A job adapted to your career ambitions and in which you could have an impact for the years to come?

We are looking for a Copernicus CRISTAL and CIMR Mission Expert Engineer to work at ESA ESRIN’s premises in Frascati, Italy.

This role offers the opportunity to join a highly skilled team delivering engineering, scientific, and management support services to ESA within the Copernicus Space Component Programme 4 (CSC4). We are seeking a specialist who will play a key role in providing expert support for Level-2 product and algorithm definition, as well as Cal/Val activities, for the CRISTAL (Copernicus Polar Ice and Snow Topography Altimeter) and CIMR (Copernicus Imaging Microwave Radiometer) missions throughout Phases B2/C/D/E1.

About the client and location

The ESA Centre for Earth Observation (ESRIN) is the European Space Agency’s (ESA) base in Frascati, Italy. From this location ESA conducts most of their earth observation research, including data analysis and distribution for other non-ESA satellites.

This position is open to protected categories under Italian Law 68/99 (“Rules for the right to work of disabled people”).

Questa posizione e’ aperta alle categorie protette L. 68/99.

Tasks and activities

The scope of work will include:

• Preparing contractual documentation, including Level-2 product definitions, R&D and Cal/Val study specifications, Cal/Val tool definitions, and Fiducial Reference Measurement developments.
• Contributing to ground segment data processing, calibration, validation, and quality-control facilities, including processing and calibration algorithm definitions and Test Data Set specifications.
• Preparing the end-to-end data quality process for mission products during exploitation, covering product and processing-scenario definition, Level-2 algorithm development and evolution, and geophysical calibration and validation concepts.
• Continuously assessing evolving user requirements for CRISTAL and CIMR regarding data quality, calibration, and validation.
• Supporting synergistic approaches for Cal/Val and geophysical retrievals across ESA missions operating in the cryosphere domain.
• Participating in reviews, expert meetings (e.g., Mission Advisory Group), user meetings, ESA coordination meetings (ESTEC, industry), and Ground Segment Reviews, including documentation review and RID generation.
• Supporting Ground Segment Overall Validation and contributing to the setup and management of the Cal/Val team.
• Developing ad-hoc tools required for algorithm development, testing, and validation, and generating technical notes as needed.

Skills and experience

The following skills and experience are mandatory:

• University PhD or Master’s Degree in Physics, Engineering/Scientific or Earth sciences with particular emphasis on EO satellite, data processing algorithms, calibration and validation.
• Proven experience with EO satellite within institutes or industry, with a strong scientific background and experience in project management.
• Specific experience in the technical domains covered by the EO Expansion Mission missions, specifically in relation to Radar Altimeter and/or Passive Microwave Radiometer instruments.
• Knowledge of scientific discipline, including strategic vision of the Earth Observation area State-of-the-art knowledge in area of responsibility at required level.
• Desire to work both autonomously and as part of a team, in an international multicultural environment.
• Solution oriented mindset, with a customer focused communication skill.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken.

The following skills and experience would be highly desirable:

• Knowledge of the ESA missions (and instruments) and processes related to their ground segment development would be an asset.
• Programming skills would be an asset.

Why should you apply?

• You will have the opportunity to work within leading space organisations across Europe.
• We encourage everyone to think outside the box and to push the boundaries of traditional knowledge. This role is an opportunity to join a forward-thinking company and allows for a deeper understanding of the industry.
• To be part of a company that values integrity, inspiration, care and collaboration.
• Benefits include: competitive remuneration packages; unique career opportunities, including working in other countries; access to training and development programmes; flexible relocation support.

We welcome applications from people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, all genders, LGBTQ+ individuals and ex-service personnel.