Science Operations System Engineer

Description

Summary: The Science Operations System Engineer will support the design, implementation, testing, and maintenance of science ground segment systems for ESA's science missions, initially focusing on the JUICE mission. Highlights: 1. Support world-leading space science missions 2. Focus on Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) mission 3. Opportunity for multi-mission and planetary mission support Science Operations System Engineer **Job Requisition ID:** 20485 **Date Posted:** 24 April 2026 **Closing Date:** 15 May 2026 23:59 CET/CEST **Publication:** Internal \& External **Type of Appointment****:** 4 years, extendable to indefinite **Directorate:** Science **Workplace:**Villanueva de la Cañada, ES **Grade Band****:** A2 \- A4 **Location** ESAC, Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain**Description** The European Space Agency maintains a world\-leading Science Programme with missions in heliophysics, planetary science, astrophysics and fundamental physics. Its mission is to ''empower Europe to lead space science''. The Science Operations Department (SCI\-S) within ESA's Directorate of Science hosts the scientists and engineers that oversee the space missions from study to the end of operations. It develops the science operation systems for the missions and operates the missions in space, as well as archiving and curating their data during operations and beyond. Its main objective is to maximise the scientific output of the missions for the benefit of humankind. As a Science Operations System Engineer, you will support the design, implementation, testing and maintenance of the science ground segment system, particularly the science operation centres of ESA's science missions. You will initially be assigned to the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) mission and will report to the JUICE Science Operations Development Manager in the Science Operations Development Division. ESA’s JUICE mission will make detailed observations of Jupiter and its three large ocean\-bearing moons – Ganymede, Callisto and Europa – with a suite of remote sensing, geophysical and in situ instruments. The mission will characterise these moons as both planetary objects and possible habitats, explore Jupiter’s complex environment in depth, and study the wider Jupiter system as an archetype for gas giants across the Universe. JUICE was launched in 2023, is currently in cruise phase and set to reach Jupiter in 2031\. The development of the JUICE Science Operations Centre is on\-going during the cruise phase.**Duties** You will be responsible for the science operations system engineering activities of the JUICE mission for the remainder of the development and operations phases in the Science Operations Centre (SOC), with a focus on the ESA components of the Science Ground Segment (SGS). The SOC, based at ESAC in Madrid, Spain, is responsible for the science planning, data processing and archiving activities of ESA’s contribution to the mission's science operations. The Mission Operations Centre (MOC), based at ESOC in Darmstadt, Germany, is responsible for all spacecraft operations. You will work in close collaboration with the science operations development team, the Project Scientist, the MOC at ESOC and instrument teams. Your tasks and responsibilities will include: * defining and maintaining the system engineering processes of the JUICE Science Operations Centre (SOC) and supporting, in that context, the entire Science Ground Segment (SGS) during the development and operations phases; * defining, formalising and maintaining the required JUICE SOC interfaces with the instrument teams and the MOC; * leading the SOC system design and requirement definition; * leading the overall JUICE science operations integration and testing of the uplink and downlink systems, and coordinating the JUICE SGS test campaigns, monitoring the contributions expected from the instrument teams and jointly performing the end\-to\-end validation campaigns; * contributing to the definition and population of the operations plan and associated operational procedures within the SOC and across the wider SGS elements; * maintaining and adapting the overall architecture and the system configuration during the cruise and nominal JUICE mission phases; * keeping abreast of technological developments in software engineering to detect potential applications within the Science Operations Department and provide inputs into strategic and technical long\-term evolution of software supporting Science Operations; * other tasks relating to the Department’s activities in science operations. It is anticipated that your position will evolve to also support multi\-mission solutions for science ground\-segments and, potentially, other planetary missions in development within the Division.**Technical competencies** Experience in software systems engineering, from requirements engineering to design and development, and then verification and validation, preferably, for science operations Experience in development, operations and maintenance of operations infrastructure and/or software systems, preferably, for science operations Experience in contributing to the operations of space missions or equivalent facilities Experience in coordinating internal/external stakeholders on projects Experience in dealing with industrial contracts, particularly those related to R\&D**Behavioural competencies** Result Orientation Operational Efficiency Fostering Cooperation Relationship Management Continuous Improvement Forward Thinking For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook**Education and professional experience** A master's degree in engineering, space science, space applications or equivalent is required for this post.**Additional requirements** One or more of the following would be additional assets for the position: * Experience in designing scalable and distributed systems, preferably for science operations; * Experience working with software development repositories, such as GitLab or equivalent, including the use of standard version‑control workflows, and programming skills to support automation, integration, and operations within complex ground segment environments; * Experience in project management for development activities involving multiple interfaces in the context of space science; Knowledge of science data processing and operations planning; * International experience, i.e., outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities would also be an asset. **Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness** ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. At the Agency we value diversity, and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email at contact.human.resources@esa.int. **Important Information and Disclaimer** In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2\-A4\). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level. Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations. During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures. Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position. The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have. **Nationality and Languages** Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia. According to the ESA Convention, staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the Member States. The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset. Who we recruit » Recruitment Process » What we offer » Life at ESA » FAQ »