JOB OFFERS

Position Title: (DevOps) Ground Communication Engineer

ALTEC is involved in several Science and Technological Programs in the aerospace domain where ground segment is a relevant part to perform mission operations of orbiting infrastructure, planetary exploration systems and orbiting systems with reentry capability. ALTEC has the know-how and provides the competences to design, implement and operate either the whole ground segment or part of it consisting of ground stations, communication network, mission control centers, mission control systems and P/L control systems.
The Mission Control System and Simulation group host the computer engineers, software engineers and aerospace engineers who oversee the ground segment from definition to end of operations; it develops and integrates the mission control systems and P/L control systems, implements ground communication networks, interfaces ground stations and prepare mission control centers to execute mission operations. Moreover, it is involved in the definition, implementation and test of operational simulator needed to support ground segment validation, operations team training and mission operations preparation.

Duties

You will be part of the team that is in charge of all engineering aspects of the definition, implementation, integration, test and maintenance of systems related to the Mission Control Center nominal activities under the ALTEC responsibility.
You will work in close collaboration with the software engineer and infrastructure and network engineer and mission operation teams during project phases.
You will be expected to endeavor for innovation and excellence in ground segment engineering within the space domain with focus on communication functions.
Among the main duties, you will be involved in:

  • Define and design space-to-ground communication solutions on ground segment side, based on available ground communication systems.
  • Perform deployment, integration and testing activities of mission control system software interfacing ground stations, also managing infrastructure aspects.
  • Automate and optimize the deployment and configuration of software for ground-based systems supporting satellite missions, ensuring seamless operation and maintenance.
  • Prepare system-related documentation (Specifications, Design, Technical Notes, User Manuals, Test Procedures and Reports).
  • Use of debugging tools, perform troubleshooting and profiling an application running in a distributed environment
  • Support to the preparation and execution of System Validation Tests and System Operational Validation Tests.
  • Participate in the ground control team responsible for preparing and executing ground operations during for mission execution.
  • Participate to periodic technical meetings

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE & TECHNICAL SKILLS

A MSc or equivalent degree in either communications, computer or aerospace engineering with high score.

Experience with Linux-based operating system, scripting languages and main Linux OS services configuration (e.g. systemctl).

Familiarity with techniques and technologies used in the development of satellite telecommunication systems (e.g., LOS, BLOS), Software Defined Radio systems, and Digital Signal Processing.

Minimal Experience in using Software Defined Radio and Signal Processing Tools (e.g. GnuRadio).

Ability to analyse, design, and implement complex (hybrid) LAN and WAN networks using various technologies (wired, satellite, mobile, etc.).

Knowledge of the main network protocols and services (e.g. IP, TCP, UDP, DNS, SNMP, NTP, DHCP, VPNs).

Experience with network inspection tools and troubleshooting (e.g. netcat/telnet, tcpdump, firewalld).

Knowledge of virtualization mechanisms and basic knowledge of container technology (e.g. Docker /Podman).

Basic experience with at least one programming language (e.g. JAVA, C++, Python).

SOFT SKILLS

  • Problem Solving
  • Operational efficiency
  • Fostering Cooperation
  • Relationship Management
  • Continuous Improvement

ADDITIONAL ASSETS

(they are not mandatory but candidates knowing them will be better evaluated):

Knowledge of space systems architecture and the operation of ground stations, enabling the interface between the ground segment and the flight segment.

Knowledge of protocols used for telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C) and data handling, such as SLE (Space Link Extension) and CCSDS standards.

Knowledge of socket-based/message queue mechanism to manage data flow and data streaming based on message data exchange (e.g. Kafka, ActiveMQ, Zmq).

Knowledge of model-based techniques for system design (UML and SYSML standard).

Knowledge of Ansible as DevOps automation system.

Knowledge of Kubernetes container orchestration system

Knowledge of continuous integration concepts and tools such as Gitlab CI or equivalent (e.g. Jenkins).

Basic knowledge or experience of some observability software solutions (e.g. Grafana, Loki).

Basic knowledge of CCSDS and ECSS protocols typically used in ESA and NASA space programs, in particular CCSDS Transfer Frame and Space Packet definitions and ECSS Packet Utilization Standard (PUS) protocol.

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