RF & Microwave Lab Manager

We are looking for an RF & Microwave Laboratory Manager to join our Akkodis Aerospace team, working onsite at the European Space Agency in the Netherlands. 

Your role: 

We are seeking a versatile Laboratory Operations and Microwave Test Manager to manage, maintain, and further develop the TEC EF laboratory capabilities. This role includes the end to end service management of a suite of laboratories comprising Microwave, Payload, and Antenna facilities, while providing specialized RF test engineering expertise to support critical spaceflight programs. The position also contributes to the upkeep and accuracy of the ESTEC Timescale.

Technical tasks to be performed: 

• Development of test beds and characterization of RF Equipment/Payloads, such as:
  • Time & frequency equipment e.g. atomic clocks, oscillators, control units, converters.
  • RF active equipment e.g. high power amplifier, low noise amplifier, MMICs, Transmit/Receive modules.
  • RF passive equipment e.g. filters, switches, ferrite devices.
  • RF Payloads or subsystems for GNSS, Telecom, EO or Science applications.
  • Life- and TVAC testing.
• Development of software (e.g. Lab View) for automated testing, control and monitoring of device/payload performance;
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of section’s laboratory facilities, including ESTEC’s UTC facility and its associated analysis/simulation tools;
• Maintain state-of-the-art expertise by monitoring the technological trends and applying them in the day to-day tasks.

Laboratory coordination & management tasks to be performed:

• Planning: Maintain the facility occupation planning (maintenance, calibration, test execution) and share it with the ESA Lab Manager.
• Safety & Security: Act as the Installation Responsible (NEN3140). Manage laboratory access, organize personnel training, and ensure compliance with QMS, safety, and security rules.
• Quality & Audits: Support ISO 9001/9100 accreditation by performing internal audits and reviewing QMS documents.
• General Maintenance, Calibration & IT Infrastructure
• Technical Maintenance: Implement the yearly maintenance and calibration plan for lab equipment and cleanroom facilities (ISO Class 8).
• Capability Upgrades: Develop laboratory software for new test benches and unify the codebase with comprehensive documentation for future efficiency.
• Automation: Implement new software into existing hardware to enable automated testing activities.

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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.

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

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Strong background in RF and microwave technologies if in the space domain this is considered an asset. 
• Experience in the evaluation of performance of RF Payload subsystems. 
• Knowledge of ISO 9001/9100, ISO 9002 and NEN3140 standards.
• Laboratory management experience. 
• Able to work independently on various RF test equipment’s. 
• Management of technical laboratories to ISO 9002.
• Team management.
• Willingness to support double-shift operations for satellite programs and participate in an on-call support system for emergencies outside working hours.

Please send your CV to recruitmentaerospace@akkodisgroup.com as soon as possible

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