We are looking for a Cyber Security Systems Engineer – Earth Observation (E3) to join our Akkodis Aerospace team, working onsite at the European Space Agency in the Netherlands.
Akkodis has proudly supported the Aerospace & Defence industry in the Netherlands for decades. Our partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA) has been one of the many success stories allowing our people to expand their career horizons. Akkodis experts are contributing to some of the most important technical advances in Aerospace and Defence which impact the way we live our lives today, through specialised engineering expertise and other required skillsets. This could be your future. Become part of our successful team!
Specific tasks to be performed:
- Support to the definition/evolution of the security frameworks for all Earth Observation (EO) programs.
- Participate in program reviews of projects, assessing the security design, implementation, qualification and validation, to ensure development is in line with relevant program cyber security requirements.
- Review and contribute to system security architecture and system security requirements.
- Analyse and access security related Requests for Deviations / Requests for Waivers and recommend proposed way forward.
- Support to the execution of security risk assessment, security requirements (SSRS) definition and preparation of security treatment plan.
- Organise vulnerability assessment and penetration testing campaigns, assess the findings, propose mitigations, and analyze collected evidence of fixed and mitigated vulnerabilities.
- Support the development and maintenance of various technical documents (security requirements, security management plans, etc.).
- Follow System Integration, Testing, Verification and Validation, assess compliance to the security requirements and propose treatment plans.
- Foster new security application areas for multidisciplinary activities, placing emphasis on innovative concepts, cutting-edge technologies and system architectures in the field of cyber security.
- Provide technical expertise regarding design, implementation and operations of security services and architectures support to technical management of selected contracts in the security domain (e.g. the new Coordination Service – Security management for Copernicus Space Component).
- Support to the PSSO (Project / System Security Officer) in security incident handling coordination and security deviation management.
- Support PSSO in managing DPNR and compliance with ESA PDP and EU GDPR.
- Continuously follow technological trends and evolutions at the scientific fields relevant for this position.
To successfully perform the above mentioned tasks, the following background / experience is required:
- A Master or PhD degree or equivalent in Engineering (preferably in computer science / cyber security, or telecom, or aerospace or navigation).
- A sound experience in Security risk assessment, vulnerability management and penetration testing (meant as a capability to understand if it is being conducted according to best practices, define rules of engagement, understand reports).
- Extensive knowledge related to Security policies, best practices, standards, and procedures (NIST, ISO, FIPS, Common Criteria, MITRE, etc.);
- A sound experience in security risk treatment measures definition and design of security architectures encompassing intrusion detection systems, firewalls, anti-virus software, log management, authentication systems, content filtering, SIEM, SOAR, etc.
- Experience in dealing with sensitive information and material involving National state interest, or EU interests.
- Very good knowledge in security best practices.
- Knowledge on Information Security Management Systems.
- Experience in IT systems and security matters, proved through external certifications (such as CISSP, GIAC, etc..)
- Candidates must be eligible:
for a security personal clearance from an EU Member State national security administration.to access technology and hardware which is subject to European and US export control regulations.
About ESA-ESTEC
The European Space Agency (ESA) has sites in several European countries.
The European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), has grown into ESA’s largest establishment and the technical and organizational hub of Europe’s space sector. Missions designed and tested at ESTEC are circling Earth, have landed on planetary bodies and have probed far into the Solar System.
The infrastructure and equipment assembled here, together with the expert knowhow of its 2800 personnel, make ESTEC a unique resource for Europe. The work done here by teams skilled in every aspect of engineering for space has enabled the creation of novel communication, navigation and information services, creating new jobs and growth while improving the lives of European and world citizens.
Please send your CV to recruitmentaerospace@akkodisgroup.com before 20/10/2025