IT Infrastructure Engineer

For more than half a century, Serco has walked alongside the pioneers of space. Serco has supported over 50 ESA missions where our teams have helped launch satellites, guide spacecraft across the void and turn data into discoveries that reshape our world. With thousands of specialists contributing across the entire space lifecycle from satellite testing to launch services, LEOP to operations and surveillance, we’ve become a trusted force in national And European space strategies. And now, the next chapter could include you.

For an upcoming opportunity, we are looking for IT Infrastructure Engineers to support ESA’s Earth Observation Programme at ESTEC in Noordwijk, the Netherlands. You will help operate, maintain and develop the mission-critical hardware and software infrastructure used by ESA’s Earth Observation project teams, supporting the reliable, secure and effective implementation of future space missions.

Responsibilities

• Support the daily operation, administration and maintenance of mission-critical IT infrastructure supporting ESA’s Earth Observation activities.
• Administer and maintain Linux and Windows server environments.
• Manage physical servers, virtual machines and associated virtualisation platforms.
• Support storage systems, databases, backup solutions and recovery activities.
• Monitor infrastructure health, availability, capacity and performance.
• Investigate and resolve incidents, service requests and technical issues.
• Support infrastructure changes, upgrades, migrations and technology-refresh activities.
• Install, configure, test and maintain infrastructure hardware and software.
• Support specialised EOP systems, engineering applications, data-processing platforms and telemetry-related services.
• Perform system patching, security hardening and vulnerability-remediation activities.
• Support access management and the secure exchange of data with internal and external systems and partners.
• Contribute to capacity planning, infrastructure lifecycle management and service-continuity activities.
• Support incident, problem, change and configuration-management processes.
• Maintain accurate configuration records, asset information, technical documentation, operating procedures and system architecture information.
• Support infrastructure testing, backup verification and recovery exercises.
• Liaise with ESA project teams, ESA Corporate IT, security teams and external suppliers or partners when required.
• Analyse recurring technical issues and contribute to root-cause investigations and corrective actions.
• Identify opportunities for automation, standardisation, improved monitoring and operational efficiency.
• Contribute to periodic technical reports, service reports, KPIs, presentations and other contractual deliverables.
• Support the planning and coordination of maintenance activities while minimising disruption to operational services.
• Ensure that infrastructure operations are performed in accordance with applicable ESA security, quality, data-protection and operational requirements.
• Depending on your seniority and experience, coordinate the activities of the infrastructure team and act as the main operational interface with ESA.

Profile

• University degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering or equivalent professional experience.

• Experience in IT infrastructure administration and operations.
• Strong Linux systems administration skills.
• Experience with virtualisation platforms, such as VMware.
• Knowledge of storage, backup and recovery solutions.
• An understanding of networking fundamentals and infrastructure monitoring.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity, patching and vulnerability management.
• Experience with incident, problem and change management.
• Experience in high-availability or mission-critical environments would be desirable.
• Experience within ESA, the space sector or a research environment would be an advantage.
• Service-management and customer-facing experience would be an advantage.

You should also demonstrate:

• A proactive and self-motivated approach.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• The ability to deliver reliable, high-quality infrastructure support across physical, virtual and software environments.
• Broad technical knowledge and the ability to work across several infrastructure domains.
• A methodical approach to investigating technical problems and implementing appropriate solutions.
• The ability to produce accurate, complete and traceable technical documentation.
• A collaborative mindset and the ability to work effectively within a small multidisciplinary team.
• A pragmatic and solution-oriented approach to technical and operational challenges.
• Clear communication with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• The ability to work independently, take ownership of activities and follow them through to completion.
• A customer-focused approach and attention to quality and detail.
• Flexibility and adaptability within a multidisciplinary environment.
• Due to ITAR and Export Control regulations applicable to this position, candidates must hold EU nationality.

What we Offer: More than just a job

At Serco, we believe that a career should come with more than just a paycheck, it should provide support, security, and a sense of balance in your life.

We offer 20 holidays + 10 additional discretionary holidays per year. We support your daily life and commute in practical ways. If you travel to work, you can claim a travel allowance of €0.21 per kilometre for up to 150 km, or you can have your public transport fully reimbursed. For those working from home, there’s a small daily allowance of €2 to cover extra costs, and new employees can be reimbursed up to €500 for a desk or chair to make their home workspace comfortable.

When your work takes you on missions or travel, all business-related expenses are fully covered, and for peace of mind during tax season, our appointed advisor will assist you in completing your income tax forms. If you enjoy cycling, our bicycle scheme allows you to benefit from a tax-efficient allowance of up to €749, one year of full insurance with an additional €89 per year for accessories. Our company pension scheme is premium-free which means that the pension premium is fully covered by us.

To support your wellbeing and daily work, we offer up to €250 reimbursement for work glasses to reduce blue light strain and provide access to Benefits & Work, offering multiple discounts for online shopping. For lifelong learning, all employees receive a 35% discount on programs at Webster University.

At Serco, our benefits are designed to make your life easier, healthier, and more flexible, so you can focus on contributing to groundbreaking space missions while feeling supported every step of the way.

Relocation:

The Netherlands' central location in Europe makes it an ideal base for travel and business within the EU. Major cities are well-connected by road, rail, and air with Amsterdam Schiphol Airport one of Europe's busiest and most well-connected airports, facilitating easy international travel.

Serco offers relocation support for all EU passport holders that are planning to relocate to the Netherlands and work for Serco B.V.