Instrument Engineer
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
Instrument Engineer in the Optics Section, Mechatronics and Optics Division, Mechanical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.
The Optics Section provides functional support to ESA projects and carries out technology research in optics for space applications. The Section’s activities cover the development of optical component technologies and optical systems, such as spectro-radiometric imaging instruments, operating from the UV to the infrared spectral range, and interferometers, including the associated optical ground equipment.
As a first assignment, you will support the Vigil project, Earth Explorer Group, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes, as Principal Instrument Engineer during its development. You will report to the Vigil Payload Manager for all technical and programmatic matters of the project.
The Vigil mission will position a satellite at Lagrangian point L5 with the objective of performing continuous observations of the Sun and in particular, the space between Earth and the Sun, thereby providing measurement data for operational space weather services. The monitoring system is designed to substantially improve the accuracy of space weather forecasting and improve the reliability of event-based warnings and alerts to the end users when solar events take place. The L5 observatory will complement space weather monitoring from the Sun-Earth line and enable more accurate space weather impact predictions and early warnings of potentially hazardous emerging solar weather conditions. ESA cooperates in space weather monitoring with the United States (NOAA and NASA), who are planning to continue to maintain operational space weather monitoring systems in Lagrangian point L1 for in-situ monitoring of solar wind conditions, and to maintain solar coronagraphy, heliospheric imaging and solar magnetograph measurements on the Sun-Earth line.
The satellite will carry six instruments with three optical instruments dedicated to remote sensing of the Sun and the interplanetary space between the Sun and Earth, and two instruments locally (in situ) measuring changes in the interplanetary magnetic field and the particular environment at the L5 position. As the sixth instrument, a NASA Instrument of Opportunity (NIO) is under consideration to be hosted pending confirmation of the NASA budget.
Duties
Your tasks and responsibilities will include:
- overseeing the procurement and development of a subset of instruments within the Vigil payload suite and giving support to the other instruments forming part of the payload;
- supporting the definition, consolidation, maintenance and implementation of the payload requirements, consistent with the system and mission requirements;
- monitoring and controlling the progress of the assigned payload instruments’ definition, manufacturing and tests, ensuring consistency with their technical specification and in line with project needs and constraints, including timely availability to the spacecraft;
- monitoring the industrial pre-development activities related to the critical instrument technologies; identifying further critical technology developments, if appropriate, with the aim of reaching TRL-6 at the payload PDR;
- critical review of the instrument and subsystem schedules to ensure their compatibility with the overall spacecraft schedule;
- contributing to mission performance activities as appropriate;
- monitoring and supporting the definition of instrument test requirements and plans for qualification, acceptance and calibration; monitoring the test programme implementation at instrument level;
- monitoring the integration of the instruments into the spacecraft and associated spacecraft-level testing, in close cooperation with the AIT and operation teams, including support to the launch campaign, commissioning and flight operations;
- supporting the Payload Manager and members of the Payload team for the development of optical equipment/component related aspects;
- participating in Spacecraft and Instrument reviews;
- contributing to the definition of technology development plans for the Agency’s technology programmes;
- monitoring relevant scientific and technological trends and maintaining state-of-the-art expertise;
- contributing to the dissemination of the results of technology development activities and the transfer of knowledge within the Agency.
Technical competencies
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
Education
A master’s degree in a relevant discipline is required for this post.
Additional requirements
Additional competencies, which would represent an asset for this position, are:
• experience in space projects, including a background in spacecraft system or subsystem design, engineering and verification aspects;
• experience in managing people and teams within an international environment;
• industrial experience in various functional areas relevant to ESA activities.
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.
In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level.
*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.
