Structures Engineer

Structures Engineer in the Structures Section, Structures, Mechanisms and Materials Division, Mechanical Department, Directorate of Technical, Engineering and Quality.

The Section provides functional support to ESA projects and carries out technological research (R&D) in the fields of mechanical systems, structural design and verification, manufacturing, structural dynamics and application of lightweight structures.

Reporting to the Head of Section and within the technical fields described above, your main tasks and responsibilities will include:

• participating in feasibility studies for the preparation of specifications and analysis of industrial proposals;
• providing expert support to approved spacecraft and payload projects and conceptual and feasibility studies in relation to all aspects of mechanical systems and configuration, structural design, static and dynamic analyses, fracture control and mechanical testing;
• identifying critical development problems, assisting in their resolution, which includes evaluating complete mechanical systems;
• performing structural analysis as required to support development of structure subsystems;
• participating in major reviews of spacecraft, launchers and payloads;
• establishing and evaluating specifications for development and qualification of spacecraft system and subsystem structures with respect to defining requirements for environment-induced loads, model development philosophy and relevant verification methods;
• participating in definition and execution of Agency standards and technology R&D programmes with special emphasis on mechanical system and configuration aspects, lightweight structures, structural dynamics and advanced structural materials technologies;
• supporting activities on structural integrity, evaluation of loads during structure lifetime and their impact on overall verification, including establishing specifications, design, analysis, inspection and testing;
• supporting concurrent design activities regarding mechanical systems aspects;
• monitoring applicable scientific and technological trends and maintaining state-of-the-art expertise;
• contributing to the dissemination of the results of activities performed and the transfer of knowledge across the Agency.

Your duties may also include supporting other activities within your field of competence.

A Master's degree in mechanical or aeronautical engineering is required.

You should have several years’ experience in the space industry in spacecraft and payload structures and structural analysis. A good knowledge of advanced methods of structural design, development and verification (analysis and mechanical testing) of spacecraft, payload, equipment and launchers is required. Experience in concurrent engineering, spacecraft conceptual/feasibility studies and interfacing with other space system disciplines would be an asset. You should have a demonstrated ability to deal with industrial contractors in the preparation of programmes and evaluation of proposals, with experience of spacecraft/payload reviews, ideally acquired through direct involvement with spacecraft structures and mechanical systems.