System Validation Engineer
Noordwijk, Zuid-Holland•Full-time
About the Job
Serco is a leading Space Services Provider with thousands of skilled resources that has supported over 50 space missions on behalf of more than 10 Space or Government agencies around the globe, including the ESA and NASA. Serco offers space capability across the full space lifecycle from satellite testing to Launch services, LEOP to spacecraft operations, space surveillance to data management, and supporting downstream application development.
With this in mind, we are seeking a European-based System Validation Engineer who supports ESA’s role as Qualification and Validation Authority by leading and coordinating end‑to‑end system validation activities for complex space systems.
You would have the opportunity to define and execute the system validation and qualification approach across incremental development phases, managing qualification credits from segment‑level verification, and preparing the qualification programme of work to reach Initial and Full Operational Capability. The System Validation Engineer reviews and follows up industrial test plans, procedures, and campaigns, defines and uses system‑level testbeds and verification tools, independently assesses system performance through analysis and simulation, and supports in‑orbit validation activities. You would also ensure proper handling of deviations and non‑conformances, contributes to technical risk assessments, support major industrial reviews, and maintain system‑level verification evidence to demonstrate that the delivered system meets its end‑to‑end operational and performance objectives.
Main Responsibilities:
- Provide end‑to‑end system validation engineering support, acting in support of the Qualification and Validation Authority role.
- Plan, coordinate, and support the incremental qualification of the system, ensuring consistency across development and deployment phases.
- Manage and consolidate qualification credits obtained from segment‑level verification activities and ensure their correct traceability at system level.
- Prepare, maintain, and monitor the system qualification programme of work required to achieve Initial Operational Capability (IOC) and Full Operational Capability (FOC).
- Define, plan, and follow up system‑level test campaigns, including validation of external interfaces such as governmental and security monitoring interfaces.
- Define and support the development of system verification and validation tools and testbeds required to demonstrate full system qualification.
- Review and assess test plans, test cases, and test procedures prepared by industrial partners for compliance with system validation objectives.
- Prepare and maintain the validation roadmap towards in‑orbit validation, including success criteria and sequencing of activities.
- Perform independent system simulations and performance analyses to support autonomous assessment of system behaviour and margins.
- Independently witness industrial test campaigns to ensure objectivity and completeness of validation evidence.
- Execute independent validation test campaigns, including in‑orbit tests where required, using available testbeds and flight experiments.
- Review, track, and support resolution of non‑conformances, deviations, and anomalies, ensuring system qualification status is preserved.
- Contribute to system‑level technical risk assessment, with particular focus on verification, validation, and qualification risks.
- Support technical milestone reviews by assessing validation‑related deliverables and preparing review comments.
- Contribute to and maintain key system validation artefacts, including System Verification Plans Requirements Verification Matrices, System Test Plans, Test Cases, and Procedures, System‑level qualification credit assessments and Proposed updates to verification control documentation
- Review and assess Requests for Deviation and Waiver and propose technically sound paths forward.
Successful Candidate:
- Demonstrated experience in end‑to‑end system verification, validation, and qualification for complex, multi‑segment systems.
- Proven ability to define, maintain, and execute system validation and qualification plans up to IOC and FOC.
- Hands‑on experience producing and managing verification artefacts such as RVMs, verification plans, and qualification status reports.
- Capability to plan, coordinate, and support system‑level and end‑to‑end test campaigns, including in‑orbit validation activities.
- Ability to perform independent technical assessment through simulations, analysis, and correlation of validation results.
- Practical experience managing non‑conformances, deviations, and waivers, including contributions to anomaly or review boards.
- Proven support to technical milestone reviews, delivering clear validation‑focused assessments and review comments.
- Familiarity with system testbeds, simulators, and verification tools, and their use for qualification evidence generation.
- Strong risk‑driven validation mindset, identifying qualification gaps and residual risks impacting system acceptance.
- Clear, structured, and traceable technical documentation and communication skills, enabling informed decision‑making at system level.
Technical:
- Work experience in the Space domain will be an asset.
- Need to be EU national and eligible to obtain EU Personal Security Clearance.
Personality:
- Effective management of self with track record of involvement in change in complex and demanding environments, interacting with individuals at all levels of the organization.
- Methodical and proactive, with initiative and capability to work autonomously.
- Problem-solving and creativity-oriented attitude.
- Excellent communication skills, including relationship development and stakeholder management.
About Serco
Serco is a leading Space Services Provider with thousands of skilled resources that has supported over 50 space missions on behalf of more than 10 Space or Government agencies around the globe, including the likes of ESA, CNES, EUMETSAT, EUSPA, ASI and NASA.
We offer space capabilities across the full space lifecycle from satellite testing to Launch services, LEOP to spacecraft operations, space surveillance to data management, and supporting downstream application development. With over 55 years history in the space sector Serco is well placed to contribute to National strategies across Europe and the globe
We work within the heart of the space sector so understand the challenges our customers face. When it comes to recruitment we are experts in sourcing the very best talent within space engineering, earth observation, satellite communications and cyber security.
We have placed hundreds of people from post graduates through to C-suite executives into space agencies, satellite operators, manufacturers, system integrators, consultancies, earth observation/remote sensing, launch providers and much more.
We offer space capabilities across the full space lifecycle from satellite testing to Launch services, LEOP to spacecraft operations, space surveillance to data management, and supporting downstream application development. With over 55 years history in the space sector Serco is well placed to contribute to National strategies across Europe and the globe
We work within the heart of the space sector so understand the challenges our customers face. When it comes to recruitment we are experts in sourcing the very best talent within space engineering, earth observation, satellite communications and cyber security.
We have placed hundreds of people from post graduates through to C-suite executives into space agencies, satellite operators, manufacturers, system integrators, consultancies, earth observation/remote sensing, launch providers and much more.