Argonaut Propulsion Lead
JOB DETAIL
Vacancy in the 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. 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.
This post is classified A2–A4 on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale.
Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Description
Propulsion Lead Engineer in the Argonaut Team, Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes, assigned as integrated support from the Propulsion Engineering Section of the Propulsion, Aerothermodynamics and Flight Vehicles Engineering Division, Mechanical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.
Argonaut (EL3) is the vehicle that will deliver a campaign comprising multiple exploration missions to the Moon throughout the 2030s as part of Terrae Novae (E3P). Some missions may be ESA contributions to the NASA-led Artemis programme, while others may be purely European or undertaken in partnership with other global space agencies. Discussions are under way with NASA to allow one or more European astronauts to travel to the Moon’s surface on US human landers in recognition of EL3 missions undertaken as part of Artemis.
Each Argonaut mission will use a recurring element, known as the Lander Descent Element (LDE). The LDE will be compatible with very different specific missions, including logistics cargo support for Artemis, infrastructure deployment such as the charging station, and science at the south pole of the Moon or even on its far side at the equator. The LDE will take advantage of the ongoing Lunar Pathfinder project and the potential Moonlight Lunar Communications and Navigation Services (LCNS).
The definition of the Argonaut generic vehicle and mission, essentially the LDE, has been carried out in two parallel Phase A/B1 studies since October 2020 by two teams led by ADS (Bremen) and TAS-I (Turin). The studies are now in Phase B1, with an intermediate system requirements review that concluded in July 2022. The study phase will conclude in 2023.
The vehicle concepts depend on the development of high-performance throttleable landing engines. Two parallel technology developments for these engines are at TRL4 and will feed into the Argonaut programme when mature.
In order to both define specific mission applications and inform the generic design of the LDE so that it can accommodate a range of missions, several ESA CDF studies and pre-Phase A industrial studies have been conducted. The Phase B2/C/D development of the LDE will be initiated by the end of 2023 with the launch of the first mission targeted in 2030.
Duties
You will report to the Argonaut Engineering Team Leader and your tasks and responsibilities will include:
- coordinating all propulsion engineering activities in support of the Engineering Team Leader;
- monitoring the industrial consortium in the detailed implementation of the technical and programmatic activities related to propulsion (from procurement to implementation) in support of the Engineering Team Leader, ensuring the delivery of the propulsion system within the budget and schedule;
- identifying and monitoring the risks related to propulsion systems;
- reviewing the industrial data packages and requirement closure data related to the propulsion system;
- assisting in the system-level reviews and any subsystem and unit reviews in support of the Engineering Team Leader;
- coordinating the propulsion activities and, in particular, coordinating inputs from the Main Engine Propulsion Engineer and functional support from the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality;
- establishing, consolidating and maintaining the propulsion system requirements and external interfaces;
- establishing and maintaining the propulsion system budgets and system performance, ensuring compliance with requirements;
- providing support to other subsystems where propulsion inputs are required, including mission analysis activities with ESOC;
- actively ensuring compliance of the propulsion system with product assurance and safety requirements;
- coordinating the activities related to the Propulsion Qualification Model development and validation;
- supporting the overall efforts of the project towards implementing MBSE methods internally and with industry;
- supporting the creation of change requests (when necessary) and the engineering review of change proposals (within an engineering control board (ECB));
- technically supporting other project disciplines, including the definition of subsystems, requirements verification and project control, as appropriate, to maximise the benefits within the project;
- reporting on the status and schedule of the propulsion engineering tasks to the Engineering Team Leader on a weekly basis;
- participating in periodic meetings with the parent Division, contributing to the transfer of technical knowledge and lessons learned across the Agency;
- carrying out other duties in your area of competence to support your activities, as may be required by your line manager.
Technical competencies
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
Education
A master’s degree in in a relevant engineering discipline is required for this post.
Other information
For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the ESA Competency Framework.
For further information please visit: Professionals, What we offer and FAQ
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 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 email [email protected].
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, Slovakia 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 internal candidates and secondly to external candidates from under-represented Member States*.
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 conducted by an external background screening service.
Recruitment will normally be at the first grade in the band (A2); however, if the candidate selected has little or no experience, the position may be filled at A1 level.
*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.
