Time and Frequency Generation and Distribution 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 Time and Frequency Generation and Distribution 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 Time and Frequency generation and distribution equipment, technologies, techniques, components and building blocks (e.g. Space-borne and ground microwave and optical atomic clocks (miniature, high performance), oscillators (crystal, dielectric resonator, VCO, microwave photonics); microwave and optical time and frequency transfer techniques, equipment and technologies; timescale generation and calibration techniques; clock signal processing techniques and associated design and characterization tools).
• Study, development and implementation of new technologies and techniques for the realization of Time and Frequency generation and distribution 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.

Skills and experience

The following skills and experience are mandatory:

• MSc or PhD in Physics, Microwave, Telecommunications, Electrical or Electronics Engineering.
• Several years of experience in the development of microwave and optical Time and Frequency generation equipment and technologies as well as Time and Frequency transfer/distribution equipment, techniques and technologies, preferably for space applications.
• Several years of experience in performance evaluation of T&F equipment and processing of time series data.
• Several years of experience in Project support activities, managing suppliers and sub-contractors.
• Good understanding of space environment and development constraints of RF equipment and technologies for space applications.
• Familiarity with Radio Frequency Payloads, architectures and technologies
• Hands-on experience in testing and performance evaluation of Time and Frequency generation and distribution 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.