As a System Validation Engineer, you will play a key role in supporting ESA's IRIS2 program at ESTEC in the Netherlands. Your primary responsibility will be to ensure the integrity and performance of complex space systems through independent validation and verification activities. Working under a permanent contract, you will operate on-site with a hybrid work model, combining office presence with remote flexibility.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver system engineering expertise for end-to-end validation within ESA’s IRIS2 framework
- Lead incremental qualification efforts and manage verification credits from subsystems into the overall system Verification Control Document (VCD)
- Develop and oversee test campaigns for external interfaces, including GOVSATCOM and SECMON
- Design and implement system verification tools and test environments to support full qualification
- Monitor and resolve deviations and non-conformances to maintain qualification status
- Review test plans, cases, and procedures developed by industrial partners
- Prepare qualification roadmaps targeting Initial and Full Operational Capability (IOC/FOC)
- Plan and execute simulations to independently assess system performance
- Witness and conduct test campaigns—both ground-based and in-orbit—using ESA’s testbeds and flight experiments
- Support technical reviews such as PDR, CDR, QR, IOVR, and Service Declaration
- Evaluate contractor deliverables and provide technical feedback
- Contribute to risk assessments and milestone evaluations across the program lifecycle
Qualifications
Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in Aerospace or a related field, along with at least eight years of experience in Space Segment Engineering. A solid foundation in systems engineering, ground segment operations, or mission integration is essential. You should have direct experience in integration and verification processes for complex systems, including hands-on involvement in test planning and execution. Strong analytical, documentation, and problem-solving abilities are required, as is fluency in English. Eligibility for EU security clearance is mandatory.
Work Environment & Benefits
This role operates under a hybrid model with three days per week on-site at ESTEC and two days remote within the Netherlands. Core working hours apply, with flexibility around them. You will receive a competitive salary, a travel allowance, and access to a training budget including Coursera membership. Additional benefits include 30 days of annual leave, extra closure days (~12), fully covered health insurance, and a pension scheme with no employee contribution. A comprehensive relocation package supports your move to the Netherlands.
