AI System Engineer (multiple positions)

AI System Engineer in the Software Technology Section, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality (D/TEC). The Software Systems Division deals with relevant software technologies for ground and space systems. This covers all life-cycle aspects from requirements specification to development, verification, validation and maintenance.

Within this Division, the Software Technology Section is a team of highly skilled and motivated engineers aiming to provide expert support related to the development of software, maintain the common laboratory facilities and explore the use of new technologies in order to improve the way space systems are developed and enable new types of missions.

Of these technologies, artificial intelligence offers great potential for enhancing the performance, reliability and autonomy of space systems and expanding the use, exploitation and comprehension of space data to provide the public with high-quality insights and knowledge.

Your main tasks and responsibilities will encompass: analysing current and future space missions in terms of on-board and on-ground data processing needs (data analytics); identifying optimal solutions for ground and onboard applications considering both software and hardware aspects (data processing); participating in project reviews in the domain of data analytics and data processing; participating in the animation of a strong ESA AI community and fostering partnerships with ESA Member States’ industry and academia; participating in the establishment and support of a data & AI academy aimed at enhancing the skills of all ESA staff in AI product management and use; participating in standardisation and harmonisation activities related to artificial intelligence, and in the definition and execution of technology activities; identifying the laboratory facilities required for the correct execution of tasks.

In performing these duties, you will be expected to interface with the different project teams to present the results of the analyses and propose optimal solutions providing information on their benefits and constraints. You will support the development of projects and the definition and execution of the R&D activities in your domain of expertise, covering one or more of the following topics: artificial intelligence techniques: supervised learning, unsupervised learning, reinforcement learning, self-supervised learning, neuromorphic, natural language processing, transformers/LLMs, symbolic AI, planning, evolutionary algorithms, fuzzy logic; applications of AI techniques: virtual assistants, text processing, speech processing, computer vision, image recognition, video analysis, industrial robots, service robots, expert systems, recommender systems, autonomous systems, agents; trustworthiness of AI, verification, validation of applications; execution in embedded systems; legal, ethical and security aspects specific to artificial intelligence.

A master's in computer science or equivalent is required for this post. ESA 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, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged. At 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.