About this role
X Payload Validation Engineer Job Requisition ID: 20737 Date Posted: 13 July 2026 Closing Date: 17 August 2026 23:59 CET/CEST Publication: Internal & External Type of Appointment : 4 years, extendable to indefinite Directorate: Science Workplace: Noordwijk, NL Location ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands Description Payload Validation Engineer in the Payload Validation Section, Science Instrumentation Division, Future Missions Department, Directorate of Science. The Future Missions Department oversees mission preparation activities for ESA's science programmes, including mission definition studies (Phases 0/A/B1) and technology development activities. The Payload Validation Section is responsible for conducting laboratory-based payload element validation activities, with an emphasis on imaging focal plane technologies, to provide support for the development of instrumentation for future ESA space science missions. The main aim of the validation activities is to verify performance requirements under operational conditions, including assessing the influence of radiation. The majority of these activities take place during Phase 0/A/B1. The Section also provides general support to the Directorate's other departments in relation to specific validation activities and to missions under development (phase B2/C/D) or during operations (phase E). Furthermore, the Section provides general payload expertise support to the Directorate's other entities and supports the development of new payload technologies. Duties Reporting to the Head of the Payload Validation Section, your responsibilities will include: - supporting the team for the definition of the validation activities as defined in the test request; - defining the software required for the set up of the validation activities; - preparing the setup of the validation activities, with emphasis on software aspects; - performing software development in support of payload t...