Junior Professional in Earth Observation (EO) Optical Payload Engineering

Description

As EO Optical Payload Junior Professional Engineer in the Future Missions and Instruments Division, Future Systems Department, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes reporting to the Head of the Optical Instruments Section, you will be involved in the development of innovative Earth Observation optical instruments. 

The type of payloads involved will include EO multispectral imagers at various resolutions, imaging spectrometers and Fourier-Transform spectrometers for ocean, land and atmosphere sensing, and active laser payloads for surface and atmosphere sensing, covering the full wavelength range from ultraviolet to far infrared. 

The role of the Future Missions and instruments Division is to prepare the Earth observation (EO) missions, instruments and technologies of the future, encompassing a wide range of research missions (Earth Explorers Core, Fast-Track and Missions of Opportunity) and  operational missions (Copernicus Sentinels together with the EU and meteorology missions together with EUMETSAT). The work carried out is mainly related to:
1) the end-to-end definition of space missions, including orbits, instruments, platforms, end-to-end performance, data flow, launcher interfaces, and ground processing to meet the observation requirements.
2) The definition and pre-development of optical instruments including breadboarding of critical elements for technology development and risk retirement.
The work is carried out in close cooperation with specialists in the different technology domains as well as with the scientists and/or data users proposing the mission or expected to use its results.

Further information can also be found on the web link: https://phi.esa.int/

Duties

You will be involved in the study and pre-development of one or several payloads and you will be expected to contribute to a dynamic and creative environment engaged in the preparatory phases of EO missions.

Over time, you will assume responsibility for the following main tasks:  

• Supporting the evaluation and selection of mission proposals to be studied with respect to optical instrument aspects;
• Defining, developing, maintaining and upgrading optical payload system dimensioning and performance models and tools in order to assess new instrument concepts and their feasibility;
• Supporting senior optical payload engineers in your Department during the Phase 0/A system studies while having the opportunity to learn on the job;
• Defining, initiating and managing feasibility/assessment studies on innovative optical instrument payload concepts, instrument demonstrators and critical optical instrument component technologies;
• Maintaining your knowledge of relevant technology status and optical instrument development programmes inside and outside ESA, as well as commercial initiatives such as those under NewSpace. 

Development programme

In addition to your daily work, you will take part in an extensive learning and development programme. From day one, you will learn on the job and benefit from tailored development opportunities, including explosure to different business areas of ESA and participation in technical and key skills training courses.

On top of this, you will have additional training to build up specific skills and knowledge as well as all the support you need to pursue your career in ESA.

As part of this assignment, taking your profile into account and with a view to boosting your professional experience and knowledge of the European Space Agency, you might be offered rotational assignments within and outside your initial organisational unit.

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

Master's-level degree in optical engineering or physics is required for this post.

Participation in one of ESA's entry-level programmes, i.e. Young Graduate Trainee, National Trainee, or Research Fellow Programmes, will be recognised as eligible experience. 

Additional requirements

You should have between two and three years of professional experience, preferably in a relevant technical domain, after completion of your Master's degree.

Relevant experience in optical sensing techniques is required.

Specificities

The ESA Junior Professional Programme has a forward-looking perspective. Subject to confirmed good performance, both technically and behaviourally, it is the intention to offer you a permanent contract at the end of the three years. As such, this initiative represents a significant investment by ESA in your personal and professional development. The programme is designed to provide you with the required knowledge and skills in order to ensure an optimal match, and to allow you to fulfil your role as effectively as possible. You can expect to be given many opportunities to develop your professional experience and competencies, to learn from ESA experts and to contribute to ESA activities.

Recruitment will take place at the A1 grade. You can expect to be upgraded to A2 at the end of the fourth year, if you are offered a permanent position at the end of your Junior Professional assignment.