On-Board Computers and Data Handling Support Engineer

Telespazio Belgium can count on more than 45 years of experience in the field of Space Operations Service & Engineering activities.

We provide a significant contribution to the most major Space programs of the European Space Agency, EUSPA and other Telespazio Groups. Our core business is to work on the ground to build bridges into space, contributing to the success of ambitious missions.

The European Space Agency is our biggest client and we provide highly qualified employees to many sites of ESA but mainly for ESTEC in the Netherlands, and we provide a permanent contract with great benefits, a good salary, a relocation package along with genuine support to our employees.

Telespazio Belgium has an on‑site service at ESTEC in the Netherlands, and we are looking for a highly skilled On-Board Computers and Data Handling Support Engineers to work there.

Candidates must be eligible for a security personal clearance from an EU Member State national security administration

What is expected from you:

The candidate shall support ESA Staff in providing expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects, programmes and general studies in the field of On-Board Computers and Data Handling throughout all project phases, including:

• Provide expert consultation and problem-solving assistance throughout ESA projects lifecycle in the field of On-Board Computers and Data Handling
• Support the development, verification, and validation of:
  • Data handling system elements, units and architectures
  • End-to-end data processing chains (including on-board data transfer buses and protocols)
  • Support the main unit level project reviews throughout all the project phases, e.g. SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, etc.
• Conduct laboratory activities as assigned and required by WP Technical Responsible, and as part of R&D activities of On-Board Computers and Data Handling
• Contribute to the dissemination of project results and knowledge transfer across the ESA organization
• Support ESA Staff with CDF (Concurrent Design Facility) related activities and studies

Support to R&D Programmes and Activities

• The candidate shall provide expert technical support and consultancy to ESA staff for the implementation and execution of R&D programmes and activities in the field of On-Board Computers and Data Handling, including:
  • contributing to the definition of technology development requirements and work plans for the Agency’s technology programmes supporting the ESA Staff in defining, initiating and managing R&D activities covering both long- and short-term needs 
  • supporting the ESA Staff in R&D activity reviews and meetings and reporting on the R&D activity development, progress and planning
  • supporting the ESA Staff in updating associated technical dossier, roadmap and harmonisation with European industries, laboratories and national agencies; fostering new application areas for multidisciplinary activities, placing emphasis on innovative concepts, cutting-edge technologies and system architectures

• Support ESA ESA Staff in the procurement of on-board data handling hardware, including:
  • On-board computers (OBCs)
  •  Solid State Mass memories
  • Instrument Control Units (ICUs).
  • Remote terminal/interface units (RTU/RIU).
  • (Optical) Payload processing units.
  • Data and control interfaces and associated protocols: High Speed Serial Links (HSSL), command and control interfaces
  • Cubesat/SmallSat/MiniSat data handling system modules and units

• Support the section in maintaining and improving the coordination and knowledge management in the field of On-board computers and Data Handling via the following tasks:
  • contributing to the dissemination of the results of the activities performed and the transfer of knowledge across the Agency
  • Introducing any lesson learnt, important information and results from R&D developments, Project support and hands-on activities in common repository and in any other ad hoc directories that will be specified
  • supporting the monitoring of applicable scientific and technological trends and maintaining state-of-the-art expertise 

Support to the Data Handling Laboratory Facilities

The Data Handling Laboratory consists of the following facilities:

• Artificial Intelligence Facility
  • investigation, development, assessment, testing and benchmarking of Artificial
  • Intelligence and Machine Learning algorithms, utilizing both hardware elements (MPSoC, GPUs, microprocessors, etc), and associated software.

• Payload Data Handling Facility:
  • Investigation, development, assessment, testing, validation and benchmarking of mission data links and associated protocols (SpaceWire, SpaceFibre, Ethernet, etc), front-end electronics for optical payloads, SSMM architectures and technologies, high performance (optical) payload processing hardware and software.
• ADHA/SAVOIR/RASTA Facility:
  
  • The RASTA facility comprises of redundant OBC functions and their associated SW, payload models, TM/TC functions and all corresponding data and control links and interfaces. The ground facility is also emulated, connected via the TM/TC function.
  • The ADHA facility, currently under development, will consist of ADHA unit racks and backplanes in 6U and 3U configurations, test modules, and the relevant EGSE test equipment. It will enable the integration and testing of 6U and 3U ADHA modules of different platform and payload processing functions, and the interconnection of 6U and 3U ADHA units to model different avionics architectures, in a flat-sat setup. Both RASTA and ADHA are based on the SAVOIR reference architectures, with some further updates.

• CubeSat Facility:
  • The CubeSat facility consists of different CubeSat modules (OBC, TT&C, TM/TC, interfaces, payloads), the associated software (drivers, OS, firmware, application SW) and test equipment in a flat-sat configuration, enabling the development, integration, testing, validation, optimization, debugging and benchmarking of CubeSat architectures, configurations, applications and algorithms.

• The candidate Team will support the activities run by the ESA Staff in these facilities. For each specific lab facility, tasks will include:
  • Manage setup, development, update, optimization, including the relevant HW and SW elements
  • Assist ongoing projects with the design implementation, prototyping, testing, evaluation, optimization, benchmarking, debugging, and validation on the corresponding facility
  • Provide expertise in the implementation, use, testing, operation, and validation of the functionality and performance of designs
  • Plan, specify and setup of integration, functional and performance test and validation campaigns
  • Perform integration, functional and performance testing of relevant hardware and software elements in the facility
  • Recording, analysis and documentation of test and validation activities and test results, including equipment setup and configuration, and failure incidents
  • Manage the planning of the facility accounting for priorities given by the WP Technical Responsible
  • Service provider personnel shall comply with the ESA Quality Management System

What you offer:

• Master's degree in the relevant field
• Experience in Spacecraft On-Board Computers (OBC) or Data Handling.
• Preferably >7 years relevant experience in the relevant field.

Nice to have:

• Experience in ESA projects to be able to support the project reviews throughout all the project phases, e.g. SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, etc.
  
• Some experiences in leadership (to be Service Manager or Deputy Service Manager)
  
• Experience in Spacecraft avionics architecture and microprocessors
  
• A clear understanding of the role, its responsibilities, and the support available to enable success

What we offer:

• A competitive salary
  
• 30 days of paid annual leave, plus the days ESTEC is closed including public holidays (~12 days) based on a 40-hour working week;
• Hybrid working scheme (3 days in the office and 2 days remote in the Netherlands)
• Flexible working hours; you are in charge of your own agenda respecting core working hours
• Fully paid collective extensive health insurance scheme;
• A good pension scheme with no personal contribution;
• A career development (Coursera membership + training budget);
• Travel allowance;
• Extensive relocation package

Where:

You will be working within ESTEC, the European Space Agency’s offices in the Netherlands as a contractor for Telespazio Belgium. We don’t expect the employees to be on-site full time however you will still have to relocate to the Netherlands for this position.

Check out the ESTEC site here: esa.int/About_Us/ESTEC

When

Expected starting date: 01/10/2026 

Please note that interviews will be held via Teams.

We look forward to receiving your application for this position!