RF Active Equipment & Technologies 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 RF Active Equipment & Technologies Engineer to work at ESTEC’s premises in Noordwijk, Netherlands.

The role is part of the Radio Frequency Payloads and Technology Division, which offers an exciting opportunity to work at the forefront of RF and optical communication systems for space applications. As part of this team, you could contribute to the design, testing, and performance analysis of advanced payloads, instruments, antennas, and telemetry systems. You’ll play a key role in cutting-edge projects, tackling challenges like wave propagation, high-speed data transmission, and signal processing. With expertise across antennas, RF equipment, payload architecture, and wave interaction, the division supports ground-breaking ESA missions, and you could be a vital part of this innovation.

About the client and location

The European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) is the European Space Agency’s (ESA) base in Noordwijk, the Netherlands. As ESA’s largest test centre, it is responsible for the majority of space technology and spacecraft development through varying phases of production.

Tasks and activities

The scope of work will include:

• Specification, design, development, performance evaluation and characterisation of RF Active equipment, technologies, components, MMICs, RFICs and building blocks (e.g. Solid-state power amplifiers, vacuum tube amplifiers, linearisers, low noise amplifiers, complete receive chains, mixers, multipliers, detectors, Internal Calibration RF subsystems and building blocks, transmit chains, transmit/receive modules, RF front-ends, beamforming networks, highly integrated RF subsystems, payload input and output RF Active sections including associated design and characterization tools).
• Support the specification, performance evaluation and characterisation activities in the area of High-Power RF phenomena i.e. Multipaction, Corona, power handling and Passive Intermodulation.
• Study, development and implementation of new technologies, materials, manufacturing and semiconductor processes and techniques for the realization of RF Active functions.
• Design, assembly packaging and integration techniques for complex RF assemblies.
• RF modelling, design tools, measurements, performance characterisation and calibration techniques for RF equipment.
• Interface with other sections for payload, antenna, system, EMC, components, materials, processes, product & quality assurance, thermal, mechanical or structural aspects.
• Support the testing of RF active equipment and technologies both in stand-alone and in relevant environment.
• Participate to ESA Working Groups and support the organization of Workshops and Conferences.
• Support the ESA technology harmonisation and coordination in the area of RF Active Equipment and Technologies.
• Identify and report achievements on key topics for the section.

Skills and experience

The following skills and experience are mandatory:

• University Degree or equivalent in Physics, Microwave, Telecommunications, Electrical or Electronics Engineering or a relevant field.
• At least 4 years proven experience in the development of RF Active equipment and technologies, preferably for space applications (Solid-state power amplifiers, vacuum tube amplifiers, linearisers, low noise amplifiers, complete receive chains, mixers, multipliers, detectors, Internal Calibration RF subsystems and building blocks, transmit chains, beamforming networks, payload input and output RF Active sections including associated design and characterization).
• Several years of experience in using RF design and 3D Electromagnetic tools.
• Several years of experience in Project support activities, managing suppliers and sub-contractors.
• Several years of experience in the modelling, evaluation and verification of High Power phenomena i.e. Multipaction, Corona, power handling, passive intermodulation.
• Good understanding of space environment and development constraints of RF equipment and technologies for space applications.
• Familiarity with Radio Frequency Payloads and Microwave/Millimeter-wave instruments architectures and technologies.
• Hands-on experience in testing and performance evaluation of RF Passive equipment and technologies.
• 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.

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.