Flight Vehicles and Aerothermodynamics Engineer

Description

Flight Vehicles and Aerothermodynamics Engineer in the Flight Vehicles and Aerothermodynamics Engineering Section in the Propulsion and Aerothermodynamics  Division, Mechanical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

The incumbent will report to the Head of the Flight Vehicles and Aerothermodynamics Engineering Section.

The Section provides ESA engineering support and support to research, development and testing activities related to flight vehicles, flight physics, aerodynamics, thermodynamics and fluid dynamics engineering and the architecture design and analysis of suborbital, (re-)entry, space transportation, and exploration vehicles. The Section is also the focal point for the architecture design, analysis and technical assessment of space transportation vehicles for suborbital, orbital and exploration applications, including upper stages, (re)-entry, expendable, and reusable vehicles.

Duties

Duties include:

• providing expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects and programmes in the field of flight vehicle engineering and aerothermodynamics, during all project phases;
• contributing to the definition of technology development requirements and work plans for the Agency’s technology programmes, and in particular in the areas of space transportation and space exploration vehicles;
• defining, initiating and managing R&D activities, including experimental investigations and numerical and engineering development studies; in particular, contributing to the establishment and running of activities in areas of concern of the Section for spacecraft, upper stages, space transportation, (re)-entry, and exploration missions;
• supporting the ESA Concurrent Design Facility (CDF) in the development of its required multi-physics, aerothermodynamics and interdisciplinary analysis tools;
• maintaining and improving the Section’s related design and verification tools for application within ESA projects and programmes;
• supporting the development, procurement and maintenance of computational facilities within the Directorate’s common framework, including support to the maintenance and operation of the computational fluid dynamics and 3D visualisation facilities;
• participating to the elaboration and promotion of ISO, CCSDS and ECSS standards in the multi-disciplinary domains;
• monitoring applicable scientific and technological trends and maintaining state-of-the-art expertise;
• contributing to the dissemination of the results of the activities performed and the transfer of knowledge across the Agency.

Due to the inter-disciplinary nature of the flight physics and aerothermodynamics engineering field, the postholder will be expected to establish and maintain good working relationships and networks with experts in the Directorate from other related disciplines.

Technical competencies

General background and specific experience in the technical domains covered by the position

Project support experience in a relevant domain

Experience in the preparation of procurement activities for technology development and innovation (statements of work, proposal evaluation, etc)

Experience in the management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in reviews

Experience with the design, development and application of relevant tools and methods

Experience with laboratory or field testing of relevant technical equipment

Behavioural competencies

Communication

Teamwork

Customer Focus

Problem Solving

Results Orientation

Planning & Organisation

Education

Applicants for this post should have a Master’s degree or equivalent qualification in aerospace,  mathematics, mechanical engineering or physics. A PhD in one of these domains is considered an asset.

Additional requirements

Solid experience related to the technical domains of the Section is required, as well as in the definition and specification of technology R&D activities. In addition, applicants should have substantial experience (at least five years) in key fields of design and technology development, in particular with flight vehicle engineering in the areas of launchers, re-entry and space exploration projects.

At least five years’ practical experience in the following domains is desirable:

• aerothermodynamics analysis methodologies, as well as proven experience with engineering tools used for design and verification of space vehicles with emphasis on the dynamic stability of re-entry vehicles;
• aero-decelerators, in particular supersonic parachutes.