System 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
System Engineer in the Gateway I-HAB Engineering Team, Lunar Exploration Group, Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes, assigned as integrated support from the Systems Engineering Division, Systems Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.
The Gateway is a small space station that will be developed by the ISS partners to orbit the Moon in a near-rectilinear halo orbit (NRHO). ESA will contribute to the Gateway programme with I-HAB, a pressurised module capable of hosting crew, while providing accommodation for equipment and volume for storage, as well as docking ports and resources for visiting vehicles. It will support pressurised and unpressurised utilisation (science and technology) and provide operation points for the external robotic arm.
Reporting to the I-HAB Engineering Team Leader, you will support the I-HAB System Engineer and your specific responsibilities will mainly involve the system aspects of the design, development and AIV activities of the I-HAB electrical power subsystem.
Duties
Your tasks and responsibilities will include:
- establishing and consolidating the end-to-end system architecture and operations concept in line with the mission requirements and needs for the I-HAB module and its subsystem(s), as well as related external contributions, i.e. CFI/GFE (customer/government furnished items/equipment) from international partners (NASA, JAXA and CSA);
- ensuring correct definition and implementation of I-HAB module interfaces with the Gateway, CFI/GFE, launcher and transfer/tug, utilisation complement and visiting vehicles;
- performing and evaluating system design trade-off studies, where needed to ensure consistency of the requirements, design, and performances with system-level needs;
- coordinating, managing and monitoring industrial activities for the I-HAB subsystem, as required by the hierarchical supervisor, in your area of responsibility;
- supporting the overall system design necessary for the development of fault-tolerant architectures, including identification/use of tools and methods for ensuring dependable design and verification. When requested, establishing the autonomy and operability concept, and supporting the FDIR definition;
- ensuring the completeness and timely review of I-HAB engineering project documentation produced in your area of responsibility;
- supporting the I-HAB Engineering and Changes Control Board activities in your area of responsibility, including reviews of contractual changes;
- coordinating and ensuring appropriate support for the Gateway (IPs) engineering working groups and boards in your area of responsibility;
- supporting the definition and preparation of proper verification at mission/ground level, including resolving non-conformances and supporting the assessment of deviations and waivers, and participating in Non-Conformance Review Boards in support of and as coordinated with the I-HAB Baseline, Verification and AIT Team;
- providing early warnings of potential problem areas and ensuring appropriate mitigation actions are identified and implemented;
- coordinating specialist support, as necessary.
In carrying out these tasks, you will coordinate closely with other engineers in the Engineering team and with members of the I-HAB Baseline, Verification and AIT Team and the Product Assurance and Safety Team, as well as with expert functional support provided by the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.
You will also participate in periodic meetings with the parent Division, contributing to the transfer of technical knowledge and lessons learned across the Agency.
Technical competencies
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
Education
A master’s in a relevant discipline in physical sciences or engineering is required.
Additional requirements
The following would be an asset:
- Experience in power system analysis, including power and energy budget assessment
- Knowledge of secondary power system analysis and verification
- Knowledge of distribution system analysis and verification
- Knowledge of the design and verification of DC/DC converters and battery management systems
- Experience in satellite electrical assembly, integration and testing
- Experience in power system support for LEOP (launch and early operations phase) of space missions.
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.
Applicants must be eligible to access technology and hardware which is subject to European and US export control regulations.
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.
