Job opportunities

Call for Applications for a Technical Engineer at the group on the Interactive Coding of Images (GICI) for the “Compression technologies for the Catalonia Space 2030 strategy” project within the Catalonia Space 2030 strategy of the Catalan Government.

OF_IEEC_256_2026
Publication date
2026-07-28
Deadline
2026-09-01

The IEEC (Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia) was established in February 1996 as a private non-profit foundation (NPO) to promote R&D in the space field in Catalonia. The IEEC is a research institute that studies all areas of knowledge and technologies applied to the space sector and space sciences, including astrophysics, cosmology, planetary science, Earth observation, navigation and space engineering. Its mission is to push the frontiers of space research from the scientific and technological fields for the maximum benefit of society. It should also be noted that the Foundation is attached to the Generalitat de Catalunya (Catalan Government) and forms part of its institutional public sector due to the fact that the Generalitat has a majority participation in the Board of Trustees of the IEEC.

Introduction

The purpose of this call is the selection process of a candidate to fill a Technical Engineer position assigned to the Promotion of the Catalan Space Sector Area (APEC) of the Institut d’Estudis Espacials de Catalunya (IEEC).

The Catalonia Space 2030 Strategy strengthens the space ecosystem through the launch of satellite missions, the development of ground infrastructures, research and innovation programs, talent promotion, industrial boost programs, and high-value-added services based on space technologies. The IEEC participates in the deployment of this Strategy in collaboration with the i2cat Foundation and the Cartographic and Geological Institute of Catalonia (ICGC).

The space sector promotion functions carried out by the IEEC are developed within the Area for the Promotion of the Space Sector of Catalonia (APEC). APEC contributes to the various pillars of the Government of Catalonia's space strategy and executes activities for the promotion of R&D&I, talent promotion and retention, the construction of key space and ground infrastructures, and the development of services and applications for the administration and industrial sectors. Its goal is to grow the ecosystem by strengthening national capabilities in the medium and long term and promoting international collaboration, while maintaining the entity's commitment to social responsibility criteria.

The IEEC plays a central role in the implementation of this strategy, coordinating research, innovation and technology transfer activities within the framework of the different Tractor Programs. Within the IEEC-CERES unit, the Group on the Interactive Coding of Images (GICI) has consolidated extensive experience in the development of data compression technologies for space applications, including lossless, near-lossless and application-oriented compression solutions. These technologies allow for the optimization of on-board storage, the reduction of transmission requirements and the efficient processing of data on space platforms with limited resources.

This project is fully aligned with the objectives of the Catalonia Space 2030 Strategy and aims to consolidate and expand this technological portfolio, promoting the development of new compression solutions for on-board and ground segment processing, increasing their level of technological maturity and facilitating their adoption by industrial partners in the upstream and downstream segments. In this way, it contributes to strengthening the competitiveness of the Catalan space sector and maximizing the value of the data generated by future space missions.

Description of position

  • Positions to be filled: 1. Technical Engineer at GICI for the “Compression Technologies for the Catalonia Space 2030 strategy” project.
  • Professional group: Group II, engineering personnel.
  • Professional category: Technical Engineer.
  • Working hours: 20h per week.
  • Workplace location: Centre d’Estudis i Recerca Espacials (CERES, UAB) Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Edifici Q.

Functions

The IEEC wants to hire a person to join the GICI to collaborate in the implementation and validation of data compression techniques. The group has extensive experience in the design of compression techniques specifically adapted for satellite data (images). In this area, the group has contributed to advancing current standards in satellite image compression, participating in the data compression working group of the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems and in the definition of data compression techniques for space missions. More information at: https://gici.uab.cat.

The selected person will participate in the development of new compression techniques aimed at embedded systems with limited resources, with special attention to the efficient compression of high dynamic range data and the achievement of high processing speeds. Your duties will include:

Participate in the implementation, validation and integration of the compression subsystem, in particular:

  • Study, analyze and compare lossless / lossy compression techniques.
  • Study and analyze the requirements and limitations of the on-board hardware.
  • Develop software for end-to-end data processing (compression).
  • Develop libraries of read/write functions and validation through unit tests.
  • Develop libraries of preprocessing and validation functions through unit tests.
  • Develop libraries of compression and validation functions through unit tests.
  • Validate developed software using fuzzing methodology with Golden Reference.

Participation requirements and selection criteria

The following criteria will be assessed during the selection process:

  • ­Education: Minimum degree in Computer Science, Telecommunications or equivalent.
  • Experience in similar tasks as such described in the offer.

The following aspects will be considered desirable merits (maximum 20 points):

  • Have knowledge of data compression (entropy, entropy coding, prediction, ...). (Up to 4 points)
  • Programming ability in C. (Up to 4 points)
  • Programming ability in CUDA. (Up to 4 points)
  • Programming ability in Python. (Up to 2 points)
  • Have knowledge of Machine learning. (Up to 2 points)
  • Have working knowledge of Linux. (Up to 1 point)
  • Ability to analyze data with Jupyter, matplotlib, numpy, or equivalents. (Up to 1 point)
  • Ability to produce high-quality technical documentation, including reports and presentations. Knowledge of Latex will be valued. (Up to 1 point)
  • Ability to understand and produce documentation in English, as well as make presentations in English. (Up to 1 point)

Selection procedure

Initially, a verification of the requirements of participation will be carried out and a first selection of candidates will be made based on the documents contributed. Next, if necessary, the shortlisted candidates may be called to a personal interview to expand the detailed information in the curriculum and assess aspects related to professional competences.

The evaluation committee for this procedure will consist of:

  1. a) Principal Investigator of the Compression technologies for the Catalonia Space 2030 Strategy project of the IEEC
  2. b) Scientific Investigator of the Compression technologies for the Catalonia Space 2030 Strategy project of the IEEC or their delegate.
  3. c) Scientific Investigator of the Compression technologies for the Catalonia Space 2030 Strategy project of the IEEC or their delegate.

Interested persons must have the originals of the certificates accrediting the training and work experience mentioned in the curriculum and must submit them if required.

In compliance with the provisions of Article 59 of the TREBEP, concerning the reservation of no less than 7% of vacancies in public employment offers for persons with disabilities, the IEEC will apply this reservation to candidates who certify a disability of 33% or higher, provided that they are suitable for carrying out the functions of the position to be filled.

Contact and deadline

Interested persons who meet the established requirements can send cover letter and the personal curriculum in PDF format, signed as certification, with a brief description of the tasks carried out in the positions previously occupied, to the email address: RecursosHumans@ieec.cat indicating the reference "Surnames and Name – OF_IEEC_256_2026" in the subject line of the email.

The reception of applications ends on

01/09/2026
Applications that do not meet the requirements included in the cases provided for, or those which are not processed in accordance with the established procedure will not be considered.
In accordance with current regulations on the protection of personal data, we inform you that the personal data contained in your communication relating to this selection procedure will be incorporated into the database of which the IEEC is responsible. The purpose of this treatment is to manage your participation and, where appropriate, the selection of your professional profile in the recruitment processes carried out by the IEEC. Therefore, we will use your data to carry out the contracting processes, to carry out the corresponding interviews, to assess compliance with the requirements for the processes, as well as those actions necessary for the execution of the process and to make effective the recruitment of staff at the IEEC. The basis for the legitimacy of this treatment is your consent, which may be revoked at any time (which means that you will not be able to participate in the selection process in question). The data will be retained during the selection procedure. If you provide us with the data or resume but do not participate in any open recruitment process, do not specify any or have participated in a procedure and have not been selected as a candidate, the IEEC will keep the data for a maximum period of two years., from the date of receipt of the communication, in order to manage your potential participation if any appropriate procedure is opened, eg on your profile. Once this period has elapsed, if you have not been selected and incorporated into the staff of the entity, the IEEC will permanently cancel your personal data. Your personal data will not be transferred to any third party for any purpose, except in cases where it is required by law or by a competent authority. You may exercise, in accordance with the requirements established in current regulations, the rights of access, rectification, deletion, opposition and limitation by sending your request in writing to the registered office of the IEEC (Esteve Terradas 1, RDIT Building, floor 2, Of. 212, 08860 Castelldefels) or by e-mail: protecciodedades@ieec.cat. The applicant must be duly identified in order to process the application. You also have the right to file a complaint with the Catalan Data Protection Authority by writing to C / Rosselló, 214, esc. A, 1r 1a, 08008 Barcelona or at its electronic headquarters (https://seu.apd.cat). You expressly authorize and consent to the processing of your personal data for the purposes mentioned and in accordance with the conditions indicated above.