Description

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

You will be assigned as integrated support, reporting to the IRIDE Programme Manager in the IT PNRR Programme, Earth Observation Projects Department, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes. 

The IRIDE project is the Earth Observation component of the Italian PNRR programme, to which ESA is providing technical assistance. The IRIDE system is composed of the Upstream, Downstream and Service Elements. The Upstream Element is a constellation of constellations, comprising several sensing technologies: radar, optical, multispectral and hyperspectral. You will oversee the analysis and assessment of mechanical and thermal aspects of the IRIDE constellations.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• acting as a focal point for the subsystem disciplines under your responsibility (structures, mechanisms and thermal) relating to the satellite design for the constellations belonging to the IRIDE project;
• close monitoring of satellite and subsystem design and qualification (review of documentation if completed before the IRIDE project or monitoring of the activities if completed during the IRIDE project;
• follow-up of the design of the satellites during the project in correlation with environmental conditions encountered by the satellites during the mission lifetime;
• identifying criticalities and envisaged risks, ensuring that appropriate mitigation actions are identified and implemented;
• serving as a focal point and providing technical coordination and liaison between the satellite contractor, candidate launchers and the dispenser contractor with respect to relevant subsystem interfaces (mechanical, thermal and electrical) and environmental compatibility;
• in coordination with the AIV focal point, assessing and monitoring the satellite environmental test campaign (PFM and FMs, from equipment/subsystem up to satellite level) and the subsequent launch campaign;
• ensuring that the required controls of test configurations and procedures are applied by industry in coordination with the Product Assurance Manager to maintain strict control over processes applied; participating in the upstream reviews for the various IRIDE constellations, such as TRRs, TRBs and IOCRs;
• participating in and close monitoring of the LEOP and commissioning phases of the constellations in respect of the subsystems under your responsibility;
• reporting activities to the IRIDE Project Manager, escalating technical, programmatic and personnel issues as appropriate.

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

A master's degree in mechanical or aeronautical engineering is required for this post. 

Additional requirements

You should have a good knowledge of spacecraft, payloads, equipment and mechanical systems, in particular in respect of space vehicle structures.

A good knowledge of advanced methods of structural design, development and verification (analysis and mechanical testing) of spacecraft, payloads, equipment and launchers is also required.

A number of years of experience in spacecraft/payload structures development and structural analysis, as well as concurrent engineering, spacecraft conceptual/feasibility studies and interfaces with other spacecraft system disciplines, is an asset.