Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Our team and mission
You will be working in the ESA The Future Engineering Division, responsible for developing and providing Engineering Expertise, Tools, Methods and Standards for the development of future projects, in support to the Agency Programme Directorates.
The team you would join is working on the following main activities:
- Perform Phase 0/A studies in the Concurrent Design Facility (CDF) to assess the technical and programmatic (e.g. cost, risks and schedule) feasibility of future ESA missions;
- Provide systems engineering expert support to ESA programmes and projects in various phases of development;
- Conduct R&D activities and technology developments related to systems and concurrent engineering methodologies and tools – including peculiar focus on MBSE – and collaborate with teams working on AR/XR, AI, End-of-Life management (e.g., zero debris approach, de-orbiting technologies, design for demise, etc.), In-Orbit Servicing and Eco-design (e.g. Life Cycle Assessment), cost engineering (e.g. design to cost), and other cutting-edge technology;
- Provide technical support to small spacecraft projects for technology demonstration and/or education and conduct Concurrent Engineering Challenge activities and training initiatives at the ESA Academy’s Training and Learning Facility in ESEC-Galaxia center;
- Design and develop models, databases, tools, architectures to support and enhance systems and cost engineering practices, methodologies and applications across the disciplines, project phases and organisations.
You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int and the CDF Website: https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Engineering_Technology/CDF
Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship
You will be actively involved in:
- Multidisciplinary engineering activities, including feasibility assessment and conceptual design of future space missions;
- System engineering support to space mission studies in the Concurrent Design Facility;
- Development and maintenance of engineering tools, models and databases for usage to support System Engineering (in particular within the CDF infrastructure) and in support to the concurrent engineering approach, including infusion of novel technology (e.g. AI, AR/XR, MBSE, …);
- Technology development and R&D exploring novel methods and processes aiming at improving Systems and Concurrent Engineering practices;
- Other systems and project activities, depending on requests and on your specific technical background and motivation.
Technical competencies
Knowledge of relevant technical/functional domains
Relevant experience gained during internships, project work and/or extracurricular or other activities
General knowledge of the space sector and relevant activities
Knowledge of ESA and its programmes/projects
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook
Education
You should have just completed, or be in the final year of your master’ s degree in aerospace (system) engineering or related fields (such as electrical engineering, telecommunication engineering, mechanical engineering).
Additional requirements
You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team. Previous experience of working in international teams can be considered an asset. Your motivation, overall professional perspective and career goals will also be explored during the later stages of the selection process.
Preferably, you should also have an aerospace engineering background and/or specialization in Systems Engineering, Mission Analysis and/or other system-related disciplines.
Experience in the usage of engineering tools (e.g. MatLab, Catia, STK, etc.) and office automation software (e.g. Microsoft Office), as well as in visual systems modelling and design tools (e.g. Python, Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect, Cameo Systems Modeler, Capella, GENESYS, COMET…) is an asset.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.
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 at 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 via email at contact.human.resources@esa.int.
Important Information and Disclaimer
Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations & security clearance by their national security administrations.
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency’s security procedures.
The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.
Nationality and Languages
Please note that applications can only be considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).
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 be given to external candidates from under-represented Member States*.
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.
*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.
