{"id":2739154,"url":"https://alion.io/job/esa-satcom-ai-technology-lead","title":"SatCom AI Technology Lead","company":{"id":40193,"name":"European Space Agency","domain":"esa.int","url":"https://alion.io/company/esa","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"SuccessFactors","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":80,"open_postings":3,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":1,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":21,"computed_at":"2026-10-22T06:10:10Z"}},"role":"AI/ML","role_family":"AI/ML","seniority":"lead","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"explicit","locations":["Noordwijk, Netherlands"],"countries":["NL"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":87000,"max_usd":213000,"period":"year","method":"global_role_cell_scaled_by_country","sample_n":1199},"experience_years_min":4,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Machine Learning","optional":false},{"name":"Multi-Agent Systems","optional":false},{"name":"Reinforcement Learning","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-16T20:08:52Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-16","last_verified_at":"2026-10-22T17:53:46Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":5,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":5},"description":"Location\nECSAT, Harwell, United Kingdom or ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands\nDescription\nThe SatCom AI Technology Lead within the Commercial Partnerships Department (CIP-P) in the Directorate of Commercialisation and Industry Partnership (CIP), directly reports to the Head of the Commercial Technologies, Products, Systems and Future Partnerships Division.\nArtificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform the design, development, operation and commercialisation of satellite communications systems and services. It can enable autonomous and adaptive networks, optimise satellite resources and spectrum, accelerate engineering and product development, and support new services across integrated terrestrial and Non-Terrestrial Networks.\nYou will be responsible for advancing AI-enabled opportunities for commercial satellite communications, translating identified technology and market needs into development activities and supporting their progression towards operational application and commercial exploitation.\nActing as a focal point for SatCom AI activities within CIP, you will bring together relevant technical, programme and commercial expertise across ESA, industry, operators, academia and the wider AI ecosystem to progress promising opportunities from concept through development, demonstration and validation.\nYou will lead the definition, development and productization of artificial intelligence-enabled solutions for satellite communications, including activities delivered through the ECSAT AI Hub and in cooperation with relevant ESA programmes, industry and institutional partners.\nThe role will translate strategic objectives and market needs into a coherent Satcom AI product portfolio, roadmaps, demonstrators and scalable solutions. It will connect satellite communications expertise with artificial intelligence, data platforms and software-enabled network capabilities, with a focus on operational value, commercial adoption and responsible deployment. The postholder will coordinate multidisciplinary teams and external partners, oversee product lifecycle activities from opportunity identification to validation and exploitation, and ensure alignment with ESA procurement, governance and programme objectives.\nDuties\nYour tasks and responsibilities will include the following:\nContributing to the development and maintenance of SatCom AI technology roadmaps by assessing emerging technologies, market developments, capability needs and potential use cases and identifying opportunities for further development;\nAssessing and prioritising AI-enabled SatCom opportunities, taking account of their technical potential, maturity, application needs, development requirements and prospective operational and commercial value;\nTranslating selected opportunities into appropriate development activities, demonstrators, pilots or proof-of-concepts, defining their objectives, scope and technical requirements with relevant experts and partners;\nAdvancing AI-enabled SatCom solutions through development and validation, identifying how technology maturity, SatCom system requirements, data and computing needs, validation requirements and operational constraints need to be addressed;\nAssessing the results of development activities and determining the further development, validation or integration required to progress promising solutions towards operational application or commercial exploitation;\nAssessing industry-proposed AI activities and associated business and market assumptions and providing recommendations on their technical potential, maturity, development needs and prospective application;\nCoordinating multidisciplinary contributions from ESA technical experts, industry, operators, AI companies, universities and research institutions required to progress SatCom AI activities effectively;\nIdentifying opportunities to connect SatCom AI activities with relevant ESA programmes, the ECSAT AI Hub and external initiatives where complementary capabilities or development opportunities exist;\nProviding technical advice on SatCom AI opportunities and activities within the Directorate and representing the Department in relevant technical discussions and coordination forums;\nMonitoring relevant developments in AI and satellite communications and assessing their implications and potential opportunities for the Directorate’s activities;\nProviding technical guidance to engineers, research fellows, interns and other specialists contributing to individual SatCom AI activities, where required.\nIn performing these duties, you will represent the Directorate of Commercialisation and Industry Partnership in relevant AI coordination bodies fostering partnerships with industry, operators, AI companies, universities and research institutions. You will also interface with the Directorate’s project teams and colleagues, other ESA directorates, industry and academia, presenting technical assessments and/or proposing solutions, explaining their benefits, limitations, implementation requirements and commercial potential.\nTechnical competencies\nConsolidated expertise in AI, including several relevant areas such as Machine Learning, Reinforcement Learning, multi-agent systems, Large Language Models, generative AI, deep learning, optimisation or neuromorphic computing\nStrong knowledge of SatCom systems, including payloads, spectrum, ground systems, terminals, network management and end-to-end service architectures\nKnowledge of 5G/6G NTN, Direct-to-Device services, integrated terrestrial-satellite networks, multi-orbit connectivity and intelligent network automation\nProven experience in defining AI or technology roadmaps for SatCom systems, and translating strategic priorities into implementable research, product development or commercial activities\nAbility to clearly communicate complex AI and SatCom system matters, providing advise to teams, programme managers, senior management and/or Member State representatives\nBehavioural competencies\nResult Orientation\nOperational Efficiency\nFostering Cooperation\nRelationship Management\nContinuous Improvement\nForward Thinking\nFor more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook\nEducation and professional experience\nA master’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline is required for this post together with four years of relevant professional experience. Alternatively, candidates with a bachelor’s degree and an additional four years of relevant professional experience may be considered.\nAdditional requirements\nThe following would be considered distinct assets:\nExperience in proposing, evaluating and managing technical activities, including assessing industrial proposals, technical results and technology maturity\nGood understanding of modern software engineering methods and tools applied to the development of artificial intelligence development processes\nHands-on design, implementation, training and validation of AI algorithms in engineering, product-representative or operational environments\nExperience leading multidisciplinary initiatives and building collaboration across industry, academia, research communities and institutional stakeholders\nDiversity, Equity and Inclusiveness\nESA 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.\nAt 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 .\nImportant Information and Disclaimer\nIn 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.\nApplicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.\nDuring 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.\nNote that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.\nThe 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.\nNationality and Languages\nPlease 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, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.\nAccording 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.\nThe 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.","description_format":"text","description_chars":9815,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":4,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[{"language":"English","level":"All levels","optional":false}]},"benefits":["Equity"],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"Austria","iso":"AT","kind":"country"},{"name":"Belgium","iso":"BE","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Satellite Communications","Military Satellites","Space Services","Research Institutes"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-16T20:08:52Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":90,"band":"hot","label":"Hiring now","p_open":1,"p_active":0.903,"p_room":1,"age_days":5,"expected_fill_days":21,"reasons":["conf:31","velocity","win:early"],"computed_at":"2026-10-22T06:10:10Z"},"pay":null,"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/esa-satcom-ai-technology-lead","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/esa-satcom-ai-technology-lead.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-22T19:22:14Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":2610,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-10-23T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":40193},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=40193"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fesa-satcom-ai-technology-lead"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fesa-satcom-ai-technology-lead"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fesa-satcom-ai-technology-lead"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/esa-satcom-ai-technology-lead\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fesa-satcom-ai-technology-lead"}]}