Microelectronics Engineer (2 Positions) - 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.

Key responsibilities

According to the vacancy notice, the role centres on the following duties:

• Provide expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects, programmes and general studies in microelectronics implementation
• Analyse and profile implementation of digital signal processing algorithms for spacecraft payload and platform functions
• Participate in feasibility studies, project reviews and evaluation of procurement proposals
• Identify critical development problems and assist in their resolution
• Contribute to definition of technology development requirements and work plans
• Define, initiate and manage R&D activities covering long- and short-term needs
• Foster new application areas for multidisciplinary activities with emphasis on innovative concepts and cutting-edge technologies
• Conduct laboratory activities as required

Are you eligible?

Check these requirements from the notice before investing time in an application:

• Education: Master's degree in Mathematics, Physics, Telecommunication, Electronics and/or Microelectronics required; alternatively, bachelor's degree with additional four years of relevant professional experience
• Experience: 10 years of relevant professional experience required with master's degree; or bachelor's degree plus 4 additional years of relevant professional experience. At least 10 years of experience in end-to-end design, system integration and testing of ICs and/or FPGAs as well as reusable IP cores
• Key skills: Digital signal multi-rate processing, adaptive filtering, spectral analysis, spread spectrum, convolution, correlation, error correction, transforms, up/down conversion, modulation and/or detection, Digital FPGA and/or ASIC design, simulation, synthesis, layout and tools, Microelectronics system design definition, analysis and development for integrated circuits and FPGAs, Integrated circuit functional, electrical and environmental testing, Development of digital signal processing algorithms for telecommunications, navigation, synthetic aperture radar, image/video processing and/or artificial intelligence applications, Definition, development and verification of space microelectronics for satellite platforms and payloads, Design, development and application of relevant tools and methods, Hands-on laboratory testing and measurement, Preparation of development roadmaps and procurement activities for technology development, Planning, management and monitoring of industrial activities

Contract and working arrangements

Working arrangements: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands.

Hiring unit: Microelectronics Section, Data Systems, Microelectronics and Components Technology Division, Electrical Department, Dir….

Position details

Reference

1410934033

Last Verified

23 July 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Microelectronics Engineer (2 Positions) at ESA based in Noordwijk (Other). The vacancy reference is 1410934033.

Job Requisition ID:20733

Closing Date:23 July 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication:Internal & External

Directorate:Technology, Engineering and Quality

Location

ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

## Description

Microelectronics Engineer in the Microelectronics Section, Data Systems, Microelectronics and Components Technology Division, Electrical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

The Microelectronics Section provides functional support to ESA projects and carries out technological research and development (R&D) in the field of integrated circuits (ASICs, ASSPs, FPGAs, microprocessors and microcontrollers).

## Duties

You will report to the Head of Section and within the technical fields described above, your main tasks and responsibilities will include:

* providing expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects, programmes and general studies in the field of microelectronics implementation of digital signal processing algorithms in front-ends, wireline and wireless interfaces, converters, FPGAs, microprocessors, microcontrollers and IP cores throughout all project phases; * analysing and profiling the implementation of digital signal processing algorithms for spacecraft payload and platform functions for telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, exploration, transportation and science; * participating in feasibility studies, project reviews and evaluation of procurement proposals; * identifying critical development problems and assisting in their resolution; * contributing to the definition of technology development requirements and work plans for the Agency’s technology programmes; * defining, initiating and managing R&D activities covering both long- and short-term needs; * fostering new application areas for multidisciplinary activities, placing emphasis on innovative concepts, cutting-edge technologies and system design; * conducting laboratory activities as required; * monitoring applicable scientific and technological trends and maintaining state-of-the-art expertise; * contributing to the dissemination of the results of the activities performed and the transfer of knowledge across the Agency.

Your duties may also include supporting other activities within your field of competence.

## Technical competencies

General background and specific experience in the technical domains covered by the position

Experience in the development of digital signal processing algorithms for telecommunications, navigation, synthetic aperture radar, image/video processing and/or artificial intelligence applications

Experience in the definition, development and verification of space microelectronics for satellite platforms and payloads, including instruments, telecommunications and/or navigation units, on-board computers, remote terminal units, power units and/or control units

Project support experience for Earth observation, navigation, telecommunications, space transportation, science and/or exploration missions

Experience in the design, development and application of relevant tools and methods

Hands-on laboratory testing and measurement experience

Experience in the preparation of development roadmaps, procurement activities for technology development and innovation (statements of work, proposal preparation and evaluation, etc.)

Experience in the planning, management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in reviews

## Behavioural competencies

## Education and professional experience

A master’s degree in Mathematics, Physics, Telecommunication, Electronics and/or Microelectronics is required for this post together with 10 years of relevant professional experience. Alternatively, candidates with a bachelor’s degree, complemented by an additional four (4) years of relevant professional experience can be considered.

## Additional requirements

You should have at least 10 years of experience in the end-to-end design, system integration and testing of ICs and/or FPGAs as well as reusable IP cores. In particular, competences in the following domains are required:

* Digital signal multi-rate processing, adaptive filtering, spectral analysis, spread spectrum, convolution, correlation, error correction, transforms, up/down conversion, modulation and/or detection; * Digital FPGA and/or ASIC design, simulation, synthesis, layout and tools; * Microelectronics system design definition, analysis and development for integrated circuits and FPGAs from high-level application domain requirements; * Integrated circuit functional, electrical and environmental testing.

Preference will be given to candidates with expertise in two or more of the following microelectronics areas related to the position:

* Analogue and digital signal processing for communication, radar, GNSS, image and video sensors, instrumentation and/or power; * RISC-V and ARM processor instruction set architectures (ISA) and their extensions; * Artificial intelligence, GNSS and/or image/video processor architectures; * System-level modelling and hardware/software co-design with MATLAB, SystemC and/or SystemVerilog; * Programming in C, C++ and Python.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 3 July 2026, 19 days ago.

The deadline of 23 July 2026 has now passed and this position is no longer accepting applications. Browse other current openings via the links below.

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.