Description

Smart Manufacturing Technical Officer in the Materials and Processes Section, Structures, Mechanisms and Materials Division, Mechanical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

The Materials and Processes Section provides functional support to ESA projects and carries out technological research (R&D) in the area of materials and associated manufacturing processes.

As a first assignment, you will report to the Space Transportation Infrastructure Project Manager (STS-IVI), and will be responsible for the digitalisation of STS Fixed Assets and implementation of process optimisations in the manufacturing and Launch Complex Assets used in exploitation and development in Europe and at the Guiana Space Centre, or other new spaceports.

Duties

Reporting to the Head of Section and within the technical fields described above, your main tasks and responsibilities will include:

• providing expert technical support and consultancy to space transportation projects, programmes and general studies in the fields of asset management and smart manufacturing of materials and processes throughout all project phases, with a particular focus on, but not limited to, composite and metallic materials, related bonding and joining processes, material/process relationships, predictive performance modelling, process/product verification, defect analysis, etc;
• participating in feasibility studies, project reviews and the evaluation of procurement proposals;
• supporting the selection of materials, mechanical parts and processes for ESA programmes in the framework of the Materials and Processes Review Boards;
• identifying critical development problems and assisting in their resolution;
• contributing to the definition of technology development requirements and work plans for the Agency’s technology programmes;
• defining, initiating and managing R&D activities covering both long- and short-term needs;
• fostering new application areas for multidisciplinary activities, placing emphasis on innovative concepts, cutting-edge technologies and system architectures;
• supporting, in cooperation with the Materials and Electrical Components Laboratory, tests, qualifications, and failure investigations by coordinating relevant laboratory test activities and in particular modelling of materials performance related to applied processes and stimuli and drafting of relevant reports;
• liaising and collaborating with other engineering disciplines;
• developing test and modelling methodologies for the evaluation of materials and for verifying processes against application requirements;
• participating in the definition, drafting, implementation and updating of the ECSS standards relevant to the Section’s domain of competence;
• supporting the implementation of the ESA Advanced Manufacturing Cross-Cutting Initiative as well as proposing new batches of associated activities by reviewing and assessing the (advanced) manufacturing technologies including digitalisation and virtual manufacturing, and ensuring synergy with other industrial high-end technology domains (for example, aeronautics, nuclear, automotive or medical);
• monitoring applicable scientific and technological trends and maintaining state-of-the-art expertise;
• contributing to the dissemination of the results of the activities performed and the transfer of knowledge across the Agency.

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Specific duties related to your first assignment:

• implementing ESA contracts for improvement measures related to the new STS asset management policy on ESA-owned assets and Ariane 6 Transition Programme process improvement activities;
• leading the Ariane 6 transition activities at asset management level, in particular the management of Ariane 6 and common assets which will be under ESA direct responsibility during the transition phase;
• collecting, assessing and summing up information on trends related to technical infrastructure and sustainability;
• supporting the Infrastructure Project Manager in deploying suitable Industry 4.0, smart digital manufacturing and additive manufacturing;
• identifying cost drivers, critical processes, critical assets and improvements measures in cooperation with all STS departments;
• coordinating with stakeholders across ESA to maximise the take-up of effective green technologies;
• developing and maintaining a dashboard with asset KPIs, and GHG impact to meet the targets established by ESA Agenda 2025;
• contributing to the effective and consistent incorporation of sustainability certification such as ISO 50001, BREEAM, DGNB, HQE and LEED into infrastructure activities;
• supporting reviews of technical infrastructures and development of optimisation targets;
• identifying and following up key issues from meetings with internal and external stakeholders and producing summary reports on fostering technical innovation and best practices in technical infrastructure management and sustainability;
• supporting the customisation, configuration and deployment of InforEAM (Fixed Asset Management Tool used by STS) by an Agile project team. Supporting the transfer and remodelling of data according to the new Fixed Asset Management Policy. Transferring data from current asset management tools (GEB, PRISM) to the new Fixed Asset Management Tool;
• Contributing, as required, to the preparation of procurement documents, including assessing related deliveries (e.g. analysis of relevant scope vs costs).
• liaising with the Materials and Processes Section in relation to the tasks above.

Your duties may also include supporting other activities within your field of competence.

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking

Education

A master’s degree in materials engineering or science, or another related field is required for this post. Preference will be given to those applicants with a PhD.

Additional requirements

At least 4 years of experience in general engineering and the science of materials and related manufacturing processes.
Proven experience in advanced manufacturing (additive manufacturing/3D printing, etc.).
A good knowledge of materials performance and processing is required.
Knowledge of Digital Twin and virtual testing would be an asset.
Proven experience in the space industry will be considered an asset.