Radio Navigation Engineer

Permanent

Noordwijk

01 Jul 2025

    We are looking for a Radio Navigation Engineer (E3) to join our Akkodis Aerospace team, working onsite at the European Space Agency in the Netherlands. 


    Specific tasks to be performed: 

    • Contribute to the overall PNT and Geolocation systems design, development and R&D activities lead by the Navigation Systems Definition Section (TEC-SEN).
    • Support to Navigation Projects (e.g., GALILEO, LEO-PNT, FutureNAV) and R&D activities in the fields of system, signal, receivers and performance for Positioning, Navigation, Timing (PNT) and Geolocation. This includes design, implementation and testing of systems, signals and receiver techniques, derivation of system and user performances, Galileo PRS and authentication services, and related techniques/algorithms.
    • Contribute to the Agency's R&D strategy and research programs elaboration and implementation, among others, in the following areas: future PNT systems and concepts, LEO-PNT and Multi-layer PNT, 5G/6G NTN positioning, Moon/Mars/Solar PNT, Deep Space Navigation, Geolocation and RFI Monitoring, Space Receivers and receiver and signal processing techniques for improved accuracy, availability, reliability and resilience.
    • Participation and active contributions to ESA activities supporting standardisation bodies and technical working groups addressing the aforementioned topics;
    • Design, definition and follow up of industrial contracts related to the aforementioned topics, including for example, R&D activities, procurement of GNSS bread-boards and receivers for infrastructure or user technologies / test user segments;
    • Support design, implementation, maintenance and operation of Radio Navigation equipment, complex Radio Navigation simulation tools and test facilities for testing features (end-to-end performances, receivers, etc.) in the aforementioned activities.

    General tasks to be performed: 

    • Radio Navigation system (GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO etc.) and augmentation (EGNOS, WAAS, QZSS etc.). The work includes studies: analyses and testing of navigation systems/segments/elements/technology, dissemination and navigation algorithms, including tools development; evaluation of Navigation/Positioning/Timing algorithm and techniques, user/system/segment performance assessment based on software simulators, laboratory and fieldmeasurements, and support to ESA projects in follow up of industrial procurements.
    • Radio Navigation equipment covering space applications. The work includes study, design, analysis and testing of navigation/positioning/ranging/monitoring technology and receiver for space. Radio Navigation space applications performed at ESA include: scientific applications (atmospheric sounding, oceanic observation), formation flying, rendezvous and attitude determination.
    • Radio Navigation equipment for terrestrial applications. The work includes study, design, analysis and testing of navigation receivers/technology for terrestrial applications and local augmentation. Radio Navigation terrestrial applications performed at ESA are those related with high performance based on high accuracy (e.g. geodesy) and/or high integrity (e.g. civil aviation, maritime).
    • Radio Navigation signals and signal processing. The work includes study, design, analysis and testing of signal and signal processing techniques including tools/equipment development and procurement. It encompasses signal structure, modulations, data dissemination, techniques for error correction, synchronisation, multipath mitigation and estimation, interference mitigation, cancellation, encryption, authentication, etc.
    • Radio Navigation Laboratory equipment. The work includes definition procurement design, testing, usage of Radio Navigation equipment in support to Radio Navigation experiments and test campaigns.
    • Assistance in preparation of invitation to tenders related to ESA Projects and R&D activities and contracts technical follow-up.
    • Specific engineering support to space projects developed by ESA and/or by major European industries/operators.
    • Validation of designs by means of analyses, simulations, laboratory testing and field trials (possibly in co-operation with third parties).
    • Design, implementation and testing tasks for technological projects.
    • Execution of internal R&D activities through design, prototyping, analysis and simulations.
    • Simulation and testing in laboratory of Navigation systems and equipment.
    • Preparation of technical documents on above subjects.
    • Support to related demonstrations inside and outside ESTEC.

    The work concerning laboratory activities will be performed based on the existing Radio Navigation

    facilities available at ESTEC.

    Company Details

    Akkodis has proudly supported the Aerospace & Defence industry in the Netherlands for decades. Our partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA) has been one of the many success stories allowing our people to expand their career horizons. Akkodis experts are contributing to some of the most important technical advances in Aerospace and Defence which impact the way we live our lives today, through specialised engineering expertise and other required skillsets. This could be your future. Become part of our successful team!


    About ESA-ESTEC 

    The European Space Agency (ESA) has sites in several European countries. 

    The European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), has grown into ESA’s largest establishment and the technical and organizational hub of Europe’s space sector. Missions designed and tested at ESTEC are circling Earth, have landed on planetary bodies and have probed far into the Solar System.

    The infrastructure and equipment assembled here, together with the expert knowhow of its 2800 personnel, make ESTEC a unique resource for Europe. The work done here by teams skilled in every aspect of engineering for space has enabled the creation of novel communication, navigation and information services, creating new jobs and growth while improving the lives of European and world citizens.

    Candidate Profile

    To successfully perform the above mentioned tasks, the following background / experience is required: 

    • Master degree in Telecommunications, Electrical Engineering, Physics or Aerospace Engineering.
    • Background and solid experience, including hands-on experience on design, implantation and/or lab/field testing, in several of the following fields:
      • GNSS/GALILEO systems, signals and associated receiver technologies.
      • GALILEO PRS system, signals and receivers.
      • GNSS/Galileo authentication.
      • LEO-PNT systems, signals and receivers.
      • Gubernamental, Telecom and/or EO/SAR satellite systems.
      • Space Receivers and Deep Space Navigation.
      • Geolocation and RFI Monitoring systems and techniques.
    • Eligibility to obtain an EU personal security clearance from the relevant national authority.
    • Proven experience in the implementation, maintenance and operation of complex Radio Navigation simulation and test facilities for spacecraft, aircraft, maritime and land mobile applications.
    • Strong experience at user level with satellite navigation receivers and satellite navigation positioning and integrity algorithms.
    • Some experience of commercial simulation software is desirable.

    Please send your CV to recruitmentaerospace@akkodisgroup.com before 25/07/2025