Our team and mission

The Propulsion, Aerothermodynamics, and Flight Vehicles Engineering Division is responsible for the technical and strategic management of all areas related to chemical, electric and advanced propulsion, fluid mechanics and flight vehicles engineering.

In particular, the Division covers the following domains and responsibilities:

• providing technical expertise in propulsion, fluid mechanics, aerothermodynamics and flight vehicle engineering (e.g. propulsion systems and components, spacecraft platforms, vehicles subsystems, ground and flying test benches, technology demonstrations, etc.);
• fostering multidisciplinary activities, with the emphasis on innovative cross- cutting concepts and system architectures in interaction with other technical fields (e. g. thermal, structure, power, guidance, navigation and control);
• maintenance and Operation of the ESA Propulsion and Fluid Mechanics Laboratories;
• developing and maintaining MDO / /CFD simulation tools, including HPC for Project support, independent x-check analysis and R&D activities;
• establishing and implementing standards in the propulsion and fluid mechanics domain;
• providing the focal points to Project teams in architecture design, analysis and technical assessment of space transportation propulsion systems and spacecraft platforms, covering expendable vehicle, orbital station keeping, manoeuvring and transfer platforms, (re)-entry, landing and reusable vehicles, and other key enabling capabilities for space logistics, in close coordination with the Mechanical, Thermal and Propulsion Engineering Architects.

The Electric Propulsion section (TEC-MPE): 

• provides expert support to the Agency’s project teams responsible for the development of spacecraft, throughout all the project phases; 
• contributes to the preparation and implementation of work plans for electric propulsion in the Agency’s technological programmes; 
• prepare and technically manages Agency contracts for studies, experimental investigations, engineering developments and qualification of electric propulsion technologies; 
• takes charge of key tasks for the maintenance and operations of the ESA Propulsion Laboratory, including technical, quality and infrastructure management responsibilities together with test servicing of electric propulsion and cubesat propulsion technologies. 

Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int  

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic of the internship: ESA Propulsion Laboratory on Electric Propulsion testing

You will be integrated within the ESA Propulsion Laboratory (EPL) test team. You will acquire skills and knowledge on testing Electric Propulsion technologies and using EPL test facilities and test equipment, through training on:

• operation of EPL vacuum chambers;
• test preparation: definition and integration of test set-up, definition of electrical/mechanical/fluidic test interfaces, definition of test objectives & pass/fail criteria, definition of test procedures, electrical checks, calibration and commissioning of a thrust balance, installation/alignment/calibration of diagnostic probes;
• functional and Performance Test execution: activation/operation of Thrusters/Systems and acquisition of relevant performance data, operation of a thrust balance and acquisition of relevant test data, operation of beam probes and acquisition of relevant test data;
• application of ISO approved EPL procedures for measurement of thrust, mass flow rate and power, including uncertainty budget calculation;
• test reporting: post-processing and reporting of measured data collected for the Thruster, Thrust Balance, Beam Diagnostics system and Test Facility;
• test reviews: Test Readiness Review, Post Test Review, Test Review Board.

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking

For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

Education

You must be a university student, preferably studying at master’s level. In addition, you must be able to prove that you will be enrolled at your University for the entire duration of the internship.

Additional requirements

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another ESA Member State language is an asset.

During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.

Knowledge and background in Electric Propulsion, obtained through dedicated courses, lectures, and passed exams, is also an asset.