Payload System Engineer
JOB DETAIL
Vacancy in the Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes.
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
Payload System Engineer in the Exploration and Suborbital Payloads Team, Research and Payloads Group, Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes.
Reporting to the leader of the Exploration and Suborbital Payloads Team, you will be responsible for the system engineering activities related to the development of the exploration and suborbital payloads.
Duties
You will liaise closely with the industrial prime contractors and various teams in the Research and Payloads Group, particularly the Science and Utilisation Planning Teams, as well as the teams in the LEO Exploration Group, most notably the Engineering and the Operations Teams.
As Technical Officer for several payload development contracts, your responsibilities will include:
- monitoring industrial activities related to the development, integration, testing and initial operations (commissioning phase) of the assigned science payloads;
- establishing the technical and programmatic requirements;
- negotiating and managing the relevant contracts;
- providing continuous status monitoring for the payload activities, identifying development risks and critical areas, assigning corrective actions, devising solutions for resource conflicts and implementing the necessary changes to the established requirements;
- supporting the gradual establishment of the payload baseline, from the requirements up to and including the end-item verification and definition;
- providing support to contractors in defining and implementing the functional specifications, in defining and controlling the payload external and internal interfaces, safety aspects and compliance with the scientific requirements, and in documenting the verification of all payload requirements;
- supporting and providing inputs to the Utilisation and Operations Teams and project scientists for preparing the operational phase of the payloads;
- providing support for the early assessment of the feasibility of potential new payloads;
- supporting line management in identifying areas of improvement, suggesting ways forward and potential changes;
- helping coordinate the specialised engineering support provided by the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality, as required;
- supporting technical discussions/negotiations with launch authorities regarding launcher interfaces;
- organising, conducting and supporting project reviews at system, ground segment and payload level;
- providing support for other ISS Payloads Team activities, as required and relevant to your knowledge and professional experience.
Technical competencies
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
Education
A master’s degree in engineering or physics is required for this post
Additional requirements
Expertise in the mechanical, electronic/software or thermal fields is highly desirable.
Experience in experiment instrumentation would be an asset.
A good knowledge of payloads engineering and operations, experience of managing industrial activities and substantial industrial experience would be an asset.
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.
