Experiment System Engineer - European Space Agency (Noordwijk)
About this position
The summary below is published by European Space Agency on the official vacancy notice. Our own analysis — salary realism, comparable openings, career trajectory, language profile — follows further down the page.
Job Requisition ID:20774
Date Posted:17 July 2026
Closing Date:21 August 2026 23:59 CET/CEST
Publication:Internal & External
This is a **fixed-term appointment** with an initial duration of 4 years. Depending upon performance and organisational needs, the appointment may be extended up to a possible maximum duration of 8 years.
**Location**
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
## **Description**
Experiment System Engineer in the Astrophysics and International Collaboration Missions Section (SCI-FEA) within the Prodex Office (SCI-FE), Future Missions Department (SCI-F), Directorate of Science.
Prodex is an optional programme dedicated to the development of scientific instruments and experiments for space science missions. Within the Prodex Office, the Astrophysics and International Collaboration Missions Section (SCI-FEA) is responsible for addressing a subset of Prodex activities, in particular the implementation and monitoring of activities and developments relating to astrophysics and fundamental physics science missions, such as Athena, LISA and Ariel, as well as those involving external international partners with export control constraints. The other section of the Office, the Planetary Exploration and Solar System Missions Section (SCI-FEP) is responsible for addressing, in particular, the implementation and monitoring of Prodex activities and developments relating to ESA’s solar and planetary exploration missions, including Envision, Comet Interceptor, the upcoming M7 mission, and the ISS. Developments in other domains of activity handled by the Office, in extrasolar planetary sciences or Earth observation for example, may be entrusted to either section to ensure appropriate workforce balancing.
Besides the Prodex Programme, the Future Missions Department is responsible for preparing future missions, as well as defining and implementing small/fast missions, such as Comet Interceptor and ARRAKIHS, within the Directorate of Science.
## **Duties**
You will be responsible for implementing and monitoring several Prodex activities assigned to you, with an emphasis on scientific space instrumentation development. The developments may involve industry and/or scientific institutes and may cover either a full instrument or instrument subsystem contributions.
Specific duties will include:
* establishing the overall work programme for the development of Prodex experiments within the scientific institutes in line with instructions from the relevant delegations; * monitoring the technical, schedule and financial status of experiment developments, identifying potential problem areas and proposing remedial actions; * assisting, in coordination with scientific institutes and project teams, in the preparation of tender documents, participating in proposal evaluations, preparing the information required for contract negotiations and subsequently monitoring the end-to-end development of projects/activities contracted to industrial consortiums; * supporting the review of project implementation proposals and implementing new development activities as assigned; * liaising between the relevant scientific institutes and industry for the duration of the contracts, interfacing with internal ESA project teams or specialists on technical/programmatic matters and with the relevant financial and procurement experts on financial and contractual matters; * acting as the focal point for technical and administrative interfaces between the Prodex experiments and your Head of Section; * regular reporting to your line manager on the status of the activities and any difficulties encountered, including written input as requested.
## **Technical competencies**
Demonstrated experience in system engineering and AIV
Hands-on Scientific (Space) hardware development experience
Design, development and verification of scientific (space) instrumentation, including optics, detection and electronic subsystems, and mechanical and thermal aspects
Management of industrial development activities, including reviews (developments by industrial and/or research institute consortiums)
Knowledge of cost and schedule elements of (space) hardware development contracts
Experience in managing scientific space hardware developments with multiple interfaces, such as scientific investigators, experiment consortiums, space agencies’ project teams and industry
## **Behavioural competencies**
## **Education and professional experience**
A master’s degree or equivalent in physics, space engineering or instrumentation engineering is required for this post, together with at least four years of relevant professional experience.
A PhD is considered an asset.
## **Additional requirements**
You should also demonstrate an ability to:
* apply a systems-oriented approach to the specifics of each project and partner, taking into consideration technical, financial and schedule aspects * proactively engage and coordinate a diverse range of internal technical experts and work with external partners, scientific institutes and industry while considering programmatic constraints * anticipate problems and propose solutions, bearing the overall goals of the Prodex Office in mind * show flexibility in dealing with day-to-day operational challenges, while demonstrating strong planning and organisational skills * maintain a high level of motivation and dedication, taking ownership and working in a proactive manner * work independently while providing your line manager with regular feedback and asking for support where necessary * communicate complex technical issues clearly, accurately and convincingly, both verbally and in writing
Position details
- Reference
- 1416179933
- Last Verified
- 23 July 2026
Position overview
This is the official EU Careers listing for Experiment System Engineer at ESA based in Noordwijk (Other). The vacancy reference is 1416179933.
Job Requisition ID:20774
Date Posted:17 July 2026
Closing Date:21 August 2026 23:59 CET/CEST
Publication:Internal & External
This is a fixed-term appointment with an initial duration of 4 years. Depending upon performance and organisational needs, the appointment may be extended up to a possible maximum duration of 8 years.
Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
## Description
Experiment System Engineer in the Astrophysics and International Collaboration Missions Section (SCI-FEA) within the Prodex Office (SCI-FE), Future Missions Department (SCI-F), Directorate of Science.
Prodex is an optional programme dedicated to the development of scientific instruments and experiments for space science missions. Within the Prodex Office, the Astrophysics and International Collaboration Missions Section (SCI-FEA) is responsible for addressing a subset of Prodex activities, in particular the implementation and monitoring of activities and developments relating to astrophysics and fundamental physics science missions, such as Athena, LISA and Ariel, as well as those involving external international partners with export control constraints. The other section of the Office, the Planetary Exploration and Solar System Missions Section (SCI-FEP) is responsible for addressing, in particular, the implementation and monitoring of Prodex activities and developments relating to ESA’s solar and planetary exploration missions, including Envision, Comet Interceptor, the upcoming M7 mission, and the ISS. Developments in other domains of activity handled by the Office, in extrasolar planetary sciences or Earth observation for example, may be entrusted to either section to ensure appropriate workforce balancing.
Besides the Prodex Programme, the Future Missions Department is responsible for preparing future missions, as well as defining and implementing small/fast missions, such as Comet Interceptor and ARRAKIHS, within the Directorate of Science.
## Duties
You will be responsible for implementing and monitoring several Prodex activities assigned to you, with an emphasis on scientific space instrumentation development. The developments may involve industry and/or scientific institutes and may cover either a full instrument or instrument subsystem contributions.
Specific duties will include:
* establishing the overall work programme for the development of Prodex experiments within the scientific institutes in line with instructions from the relevant delegations; * monitoring the technical, schedule and financial status of experiment developments, identifying potential problem areas and proposing remedial actions; * assisting, in coordination with scientific institutes and project teams, in the preparation of tender documents, participating in proposal evaluations, preparing the information required for contract negotiations and subsequently monitoring the end-to-end development of projects/activities contracted to industrial consortiums; * supporting the review of project implementation proposals and implementing new development activities as assigned; * liaising between the relevant scientific institutes and industry for the duration of the contracts, interfacing with internal ESA project teams or specialists on technical/programmatic matters and with the relevant financial and procurement experts on financial and contractual matters; * acting as the focal point for technical and administrative interfaces between the Prodex experiments and your Head of Section; * regular reporting to your line manager on the status of the activities and any difficulties encountered, including written input as requested.
## Technical competencies
Demonstrated experience in system engineering and AIV
Hands-on Scientific (Space) hardware development experience
Design, development and verification of scientific (space) instrumentation, including optics, detection and electronic subsystems, and mechanical and thermal aspects
Management of industrial development activities, including reviews (developments by industrial and/or research institute consortiums)
Knowledge of cost and schedule elements of (space) hardware development contracts
Experience in managing scientific space hardware developments with multiple interfaces, such as scientific investigators, experiment consortiums, space agencies’ project teams and industry
## Behavioural competencies
## Education and professional experience
A master’s degree or equivalent in physics, space engineering or instrumentation engineering is required for this post, together with at least four years of relevant professional experience.
A PhD is considered an asset.
## Additional requirements
You should also demonstrate an ability to:
* apply a systems-oriented approach to the specifics of each project and partner, taking into consideration technical, financial and schedule aspects * proactively engage and coordinate a diverse range of internal technical experts and work with external partners, scientific institutes and industry while considering programmatic constraints * anticipate problems and propose solutions, bearing the overall goals of the Prodex Office in mind * show flexibility in dealing with day-to-day operational challenges, while demonstrating strong planning and organisational skills * maintain a high level of motivation and dedication, taking ownership and working in a proactive manner * work independently while providing your line manager with regular feedback and asking for support where necessary * communicate complex technical issues clearly, accurately and convincingly, both verbally and in writing
Application timeline
This vacancy was first listed on 17 July 2026, 5 days ago.
The application deadline is 21 August 2026, 28 days from today. Late applications are not accepted, so submit through the official EU Careers portal well in advance.
Last verified against the EU Careers feed on 23 July 2026.
Where to learn more
For headcount, mission, and other open vacancies at ESA see the ESA institution page; for the cost of living, correction coefficient, and other postings in Noordwijk see our Noordwijk location page.
New to EU careers? Our beginner's guide walks through entry routes, EPSO competitions, and what to prepare. For application logistics see application tips and EPSO competitions.
Career trajectory
Language profile
Application cadence
Visit the official European Space Agency website
Source: This job listing was sourced from the official EU Careers portal (EPSO). First published: .