EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY
Young Graduate Trainee in Gateway Lunar Station Engineering (ESPIRIT Refuelling Module)
Young Graduate Opportunity in the Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes
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.
This post is classified F1 on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale.
Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Our team and mission
The ESPRIT Refuelling Module (ERM) ESA Project Team is in charge of directing and supervising the development and qualification of the Module that will be part of the international lunar orbit station – Gateway – under the leadership of NASA. It is one of the two modules provided by Europe as part of its participation to the programme, the other one being the Habitation Module (IHAB).
The main functions that will be provided by the ERM are refuelling the Gateway Station in Xenon and bi propellant, a pressurised volume for Crew activity, windows to observe the environment of the Gateway and the Lunar Surface and stowage for equipment used on the Gateway. The prime contractor for ERM is Thales Frances, and the pressurised subassembly – a focus of this traineeship – is under the responsibility of Thales Alenia Italy. In particular, it includes the windows assembly and the stowage/cargo system.
The ESA project Team is responsible for the placing and conduct of the industrial contracts as well as the coordination with the International Partners, particularly NASA. The ERM project is about to enter the preliminary design phase for a launch planned before the end of the decennial from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. The ERM project, from its complexity, cost and visibility to the General Public is one of the most important missions of ESA in the years to come.
You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int
Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship
As a Young Graduate Traineeship, you will have the opportunity to contribute actively to the development and verification of the ERM module as part of the Lunar Gateway station. You will be part of the ERM Team, under the responsibility of the ERM Engineering Team Leader. This traineeship is in the field of the development of the Windows and cargo/stowage systems, with emphasis to the human interfaces aspects of these developments.
More specifically, you will oversee the following tasks:
• Monitoring the industrial work (design, testing, analysis) with a view to the required technical performances and schedule requirements.
• Supporting the ERM Project Manager, Engineering Team Leader and System Engineer for all aspects related to the ERM Windows and to the Cargo/stowage systems.
• Contributing to the management of requirement baseline changes, by assessing changes, issues, and by proposing workaround solutions in case of requirements deviations
• Coordinating with the Crew (astronauts) as final users Attending telecon with the NASA experts, in support to other ERM team members, and supporting regulation of the flow down of their requests towards industry.
• Performing independent technical assessments to cross check or complete the industry activity.
The following engineering disciplines will be used in the performance of the above tasks:
• Materials science (metallic, plastic)
• Structures
• Thermal
• Mechanisms
• Optics
In terms of tools, apart from the usual office tools, CAD, structural/thermal analysis and Virtual Reality tools could be used as necessary.
Technical competencies
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
Education
You should have just completed or be in the final year of your master’s degree in engineering preferably with a specialisation in aeronautics and space.
Additional requirements
You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multi-cultural environment, both independently and as part of a team.
The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.
During the interview motivation and overall professional perspective/career goals will also be explored.
Other information
For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the ESA Competency Framework.
For further information on the Young Graduate Programme please visit: Young Graduate Programme and FAQ Young Graduate Programme
Applicants must be eligible to access technology and hardware which is subject to European and US export control regulations.
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. If you would like to discuss this further please contact us email contact.human.resources@esa.int.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia, as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Cyprus as European Cooperating States (ECS).
According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States*. When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to candidates from under-represented Member States*.
In accordance with the European Space Agency’s security procedures and as part of the selection process, successful candidates will be required to undergo basic screening before appointment conducted by an external background screening service.
*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.