Space Data Archive Software Engineer

Are you looking for a new opportunity to take your career to a higher orbit 🪐? To join an international group with a successful track record in Space Engineering? A job adapted to your career ambitions and in which you could have an impact for the years to come?

We are looking for a Space Data Archive Software Engineer to work at our offices in Madrid, Spain.

You will have the opportunity to contribute to a software engineering service supporting the development, operation and maintenance of the Science Archives at the ESDC (ESAC Science Data Centre), covering space missions across one or more of the following domains: Planetary Science, Astronomy, Survey, Heliophysics, and Human, Robotic and Exploration missions.

📍 About the client and location

The European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC) is the European Space Agency’s (ESA) based in Madrid, Spain. ESAC is responsible for all of ESA’s research into astronomy and solar system exploration, as well as being the location of ESA’s space telescope. It is from here that archives are stored on ESA’s science missions, which are then made accessible for researchers all around the world.

🛠️ Tasks and activities

The scope of work will include:

• Supporting the analysis of user requirements and working on the design and modelling of archive databases and archive data models.
• Archiving applications and data, including interoperability systems and programmatic access supported by Virtual Observatory (VO) standards.
• Administration services, including monitoring, statistics, reporting and user management.
• Virtual Observatory (VO) tools and services.
• Integration of common infrastructure, tools, and science data visualisation across all ESDC systems, enabling maximum exploitation of the data.
• Software configuration control activities associated with the archive development.
• Contributing to the preparation and maintenance of required documentation in accordance with ECSS engineering standards.

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• Participating in working groups, workshops, conferences, and meetings focused on science data systems and Virtual Observatory standards and practices.
• Interacting with the international community of astronomers, scientists and users.
• Interacting with ESA partners, including international teams such as NASA, JAXA, and Canadian partners.

🎓 Skills and experience

The following skills and experience are mandatory:

• A Master’s degree and a minimum of 4 years of relevant professional experience.
• Experience with Java and JavaScript (including Angular).
• Experience with web technologies (including HTTP, Apache, Tomcat, and web service).
• Proficiency in relational databases (primarily PostgreSQL and Oracle) and database management software (DB administration).
• Knowledge of SQL and XML.
• Hands‑on involvement in unit, integration, system, and end‑to‑end testing frameworks (JUnit, Jasmine, Cucumber, Selenium, Cypress).
• Desire to work both autonomously and as part of a team, in an international multicultural environment.
• Solution oriented mindset, with customer focused communication skills.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken.

The following skills and experience would be highly desirable:

• Experience with Python.
• Familiarity with distributed database technologies, such as Greenplum.
• Knowledge of Virtualisation.
• Understanding of Agile software development and continuous integration.

🤝 Why should you apply? 🤝

• You will have the opportunity to work within leading space organisations across Europe.
• We encourage everyone to think outside the box and to push the boundaries of traditional knowledge. This role is an opportunity to join a forward-thinking company and allows for a deeper understanding of the industry.
• To be part of a company that values integrity, inspiration, care and collaboration.
• Benefits include: competitive remuneration packages; unique career opportunities, including working in other countries; access to training and development programmes; flexible relocation support.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all candidates, irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.

As part of our commitment to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process, we will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term condition can be their best during the recruitment process.