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Junior Professional in Payload Engineering

Noordwijk

  • Organization: ESA - European Space Agency
  • Location: Noordwijk
  • Grade: Level not specified - Level not specified
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Engineering
    • Physics and Mathematics
    • Outer space and satellite technology
    • Scientist and Researcher
  • Closing Date: Closed

 

Vacancy in the Directorate of Directorate of Science 
 
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. For this purpose, we 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 part of ESA’s Junior Professional Programme. We are looking for enthusiastic candidates with a Master's degree and 2-3 years’ experience to join ESA for an initial three-year period. During this time, you will actively work and learn on the job and will benefit from interesting development opportunities in order to prepare for a permanent position at ESA at the end of your Junior Professional assignment.

 

The selection process for the first cohort of Junior Professionals will take place during Spring 2022, successful candidates are expected to start work during the period June-October 2022.

 

This post is for an initial limited duration of three years and is classified A1 on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale.
 
Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands 
You may be required to relocate temporarily to other ESA establishments or another location for development assignments.

 

Description

The Future Missions Department is in charge of mission preparation activities for ESA’s Science Programme, including mission definition studies (Phases 0/A/B1) and technology development activities. Science mission spacecraft generally include scientific instruments that are provided by the Member States through a consortium of research institutes in charge of the design and development of the instruments. Therefore, the preparation of future science missions includes payload definition and technology preparation activities that are done in collaboration with research institutes. The Department is also in charge of the development of small science projects (such as SMILE, Comet Interceptor) and of the PRODEX programme through which several member states provide their scientific instrument contributions to ESA and other international programmes. 

Duties

You will be assigned to the Science Instrumentation Division. Within the Department, the Division is in charge of the payload definition studies (phases 0/A/B1) including the technical interface with instrument consortiums, and of validation tests of critical elements (e.g. detector performance in cryogenic conditions) in support of future missions and projects under development. The current future missions under study are Athena (phase B1), LISA (phase A) and EnVision (phase B1). Comet Interceptor is expected to start its phase C/D in 2023. The candidates for the first F and M missions of the Voyage 2050 plan are expected to be defined by 2022 and their phase 0/A to start in 2023. Early definition work is also starting on Voyage 2050 L-mission themes.

 

Depending on your profile and opportunities upon arrival, you will support the payload teams for one or several instruments from the Science Programme’s future missions. Your task can address all instrumentation fields in early phases, including: instrument system and platform interface management; performance modelling; verification aspects; follow-up of instrument detailed definition e.g. mechanical, thermal, optical, detection and electrical design activities; definition and/or development of early breadboards.

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 exposure 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 may be offered rotational assignment(s) within and outside your initial organisational unit. For example, you could be working over some time (e.g. a few months to one year) in:
-    one of the research institute in charge of the payload definition and future development, possibly in continuation of your work at ESTEC,
-    PRODEX programme, for supporting instruments under development and enlarging your knowledge of space business,  
-    Comet Interceptor project, for following-up the development of some instrument and enlarging your experience.
-    Support to Science mission in implementation (AIV/AIT campaign)

Technical competencies

General knowledge of payload technologies and space instrumentation preferably complemented by some hands-on experience on instrument hardware
System engineering for space systems

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

A Master's-level degree in engineering or applied physics.

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.

In addition to your Master’s, a PhD would be an asset.

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.

In-depth technical expertise in at least one of the instrumentation key engineering fields (mechanical, optical, thermal, sensors and electronics) is an important asset.

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.

Other information

For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the ESA Competency Framework.

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.

 

The Agency may require applicants to undergo selection tests.

 

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 within 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.

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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, the United Kingdom and Canada, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovenia.

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 external candidates from under-represented or balanced Member States*. (https://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/careers/NationalityTargets.pdf)

 

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.

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.

This vacancy is now closed.
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