Vacancy in Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality
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 GNC, AOCS and Pointing Division in the Systems Department of the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality provides functional support to ESA projects in the domains of Earth Observation, Navigation, Science, Exploration, Telecommunications and Integrated Applications and Space Transportation.
The GNC, AOCS and Pointing Division carries out technological research and development, harmonisation and standardisation in the field of AOCS and Pointing, with a focus on subsystem competitiveness, improvement and innovation for performance, robustness and process, in the field of GNC systems for space vehicles including interplanetary cruise, aero assistance, precision landing, ascent, rendezvous and docking, re-entry, formation flying and drag-free systems and in the field of new AOCS and GNC sensors, such as Star Trackers, Gyroscopes, Accelerometers, IMUs, Magnetometers, Sun and Earth Sensors, Hybrid Navigation Systems, 3D Cameras and Optical Navigation Sensors.
The Division laboratory facilities exist to support R&D activities and project investigations, as well as to foster cooperation with external stakeholders.
Duties
As Junior GNC and AOCS Systems engineer, you will work in collaboration with the GNC and AOCS experts of the Division on the following tasks:
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Validation of GNC and AOCS systems, for example by leading GNC/AOCS simulation campaigns and detailed post-analyses
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Verification of GNC and AOCS systems, for example by collaborating with Software and Avionics colleagues to verify CubeSat AOCS on a representative flatsat
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Performance and Robustness campaign for GNC in Close Proximity Operations, for example using the GNC and Robotics facility to test GNC for Active Debris Removal missions
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Testing and characterisation of GNC and AOCS sensors, in the AOCS & GNC Sensor facility, for example to characterise inertial performance of new European gyro or to characterise performance of new detectors for European GNC/AOCS sensors
You will contribute to the use of the Divisional Laboratory facilities to evaluate and prototype AOCS and GNC algorithms and equipment, in support of Research and Development activities as well as ESA mission cases.
You will be exposed to hands-on learning on GNC/AOCS subsystems, algorithms, software and equipment as well as diverse development phases, from design to validation cycle. The focus will be on new types of mission and CubeSat/Smallsat platforms.
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 and with a view to boosting your professional experience and knowledge of the European space sector, you will be offered a one-year secondment with one of ESA’s industrial partners.
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 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
A Master's degree in electrical, control or aerospace engineering.
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.
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.
Preference will be given to those with strong expertise in two or more of the following areas related to the position:
- AOCS/GNC subsystem design, testing and verification (including control design algorithms, analysis and simulation)
- Research studies conduct in AOCS functional, robustness and performance fields
- AOCS modelling, software coding and spacecraft avionics
- Machine learning techniques
- AOCS/GNC development for CubeSat missionsExperience in the preparation of procurement activities for technology development and innovation (statements of work, proposal evaluation, etc.)
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.