Ground Segment Cybersecurity Engineer

 

Location
ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany  

Description

As a key member of the Ground Segment System and Cybersecurity Engineering Section (OPS-GAE), you will help shape the future of secure European space operations. Working within ESA’s System and Applications Engineering Division, you will play a central role in designing and guiding end-to-end cyber secure ground segment solutions that enable mission success across the Agency.

 

In this role, you will contribute directly to ESA programmes by architecting innovative cybersecurity engineering concepts, driving the definition and evolution of system-level security architectures and ensuring that security is embedded seamlessly throughout the full engineering life cycle. You will help to steer certification activities, influence technology roadmaps, and contribute to research that strengthens the resilience of European space systems.

 

Reporting to the Head of Section, you will collaborate across the wider ESA matrix organisation, work closely with programme teams, and interface with industry partners. This position offers a unique opportunity to combine technical leadership, system-level thinking, and hands-on cybersecurity engineering to safeguard some of Europe’s most critical space infrastructure.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include: 

• coordinating ground segment security risk assessments — identifying threats and vulnerabilities, and contributing to the security requirements that keep mission systems protected from end to end;
• shaping robust ground segment security architectures, integrating system-level inputs and ensuring effective security controls, monitoring, and interfaces with external entities;
• consolidating key security findings — risks, vulnerabilities, and controls — into the overarching system security picture and ensuring the implementation of security controls;
• supporting programme teams throughout procurement in the area of operational ground systems, from the evaluation of industrial proposals to the supervision of contract execution, deliverables, reviews and acceptance milestones;
• participating in major system reviews to ensure security needs are met at every stage of development and deployment;
• providing expert input into Non Conformance and Technical Change Boards, assessing security impacts and advising on solutions on ground segment security;
• analysing ground segment security-related deviations and waivers, recommending the safest and most practical way forward;
• overseeing ground segment system security verification and validation activities, ensuring alignment with assurance requirements and agreed compliance levels;
• enhancing system information security management processes, proposing improvements aligned with security governance;
• defining security operations procedures and ensuring they are compliant;
• shaping the future of ground segment security — contributing to the technology roadmap, identifying innovation needs and ensuring their execution through appropriate funding schemes;
• driving and contributing to security engineering studies to strengthen mission resilience;
• performing cybersecurity roles mandated by the ESA Security Directives, such as acting as Project Security Officer when required;
• coordinating the engineering of applications, systems, and services in collaboration with Agency stakeholders;
• working closely with other Agency units to ensure coherent approaches across systems;
• defining and acquiring innovation, research and development activities in systems and applications, fostering innovation across the Agency.

Technical competencies

Experience in architecting and managing cybersecurity engineering aspects, including large and complex system and software engineering projects throughout the project life cycleExperience in cybersecurity risk assessment and treatmentExposure to preparing and supporting system cybersecurity certification in coordination with certification authoritiesExposure to engineering project planning, management, and execution as well as management of industrial contractsTrack record of customer relationship development and managementExperience in implementing and driving R&D and/or industrial activities

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking

For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook
 

Education

A master's degree in a relevant domain is required for this post.

Additional requirements

A background or experience in: 

• project management 
• procurement of industrial services 
• complex inter-organisational projects
• system and software engineering methodologies and tools
• state-of-the-art cybersecurity technologies

 

Knowledge of ESA technology programmes and existing space communication and security standards is considered an asset.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness 
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. 

At the Agency we value diversity, and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email at contact.human.resources@esa.int.
 
Important Information and Disclaimer
In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level.

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations & eligible to acquire the security clearance by their national security administrations.

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.

Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have. 

 

Nationality and Languages 
Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia. 

According to the ESA Convention, staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the Member States.

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.