RAMS (Reliability, Availability, Maintainability and Safety) 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
You will be assigned as RAMS Engineer to the RAMS Section, Quality, Dependability and Product Assurance Support Division, Product Assurance and Safety Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.
The RAMS Section is responsible for the development, implementation and maintenance of dependability and safety expertise and standards. The Section provides dependability support to all ESA projects and safety support to ESA projects except Human Space Applications, Space Debris Mitigation, Nuclear Power and Re-entry Safety. The Section interfaces closely with the Independent Safety Office, which belongs to the same Department.
It carries out technological research and development (R&D) in the fields of RAMS requirements, techniques, methodologies and tools. It collaborates on standardisation and training activities.
Duties
Reporting to the Head of Section and within the technical fields described above, your main tasks and responsibilities will include:
- supporting ESA projects in defining applicable dependability requirements, as well as monitoring and reporting their implementation;
- supporting reviews and audits for ESA projects and activities;
- supporting the spacecraft safety submission process for launch campaigns;
- supporting audits for Test Centre certification from a RAMS perspective;
- identifying mission risks, and assessing ESA project risks and activities;
- developing and maintaining ESA dependability policies, requirements and standards;
- collecting, evaluating and validating data for the prevention or avoidance of recurrent problems;
- supporting liaison with the Department’s Independent Safety Office to inform it of the dependability measures recommended for ESA projects, and collecting its ongoing feedback for safety certification activities;
- supporting liaison and maintaining synergy with systems and space operation teams (in particular the Directorate of Operations, D-OPS), for continuously improving and closing the loop between prediction and actual in-orbit operations, while gathering lessons learned;
- maintaining Agency and industry technical competence through training, symposiums and workshops;
- developing RAMS techniques, methods and procedures following an integrated dependability approach;
- defining, initiating and managing R&D activities covering long- and short-term ESA needs;
- supporting related activities in the Directorate’s area of competence;
- monitoring applicable scientific and technological trends, and maintaining state-of-the-art expertise;
- contributing to the dissemination of the results of activities performed and the transfer of knowledge across the Agency.
Technical competencies
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
Education
A master’s in engineering with a specialisation in a RAMS discipline is required for this post.
Additional requirements
Solid experience in the RAMS domain.
Experience with preparing or reviewing spacecraft safety data packages as part of the safety submission process in launch campaigns and knowledge of space centre safety regulations would be an asset.
You must be eligible for security clearance from your national security administration.
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.
