Metrology Engineer

This role is for a Metrology Engineer in the Engineering Services Section, Test Facilities and Infrastructure Office, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

This is a fixed-term appointment with an initial duration of 4 years. Depending upon performance and organisational needs, the appointment may be extended up to a possible maximum duration of 8 years.

Description

The Engineering Services Section provides support in the fields of mechanical engineering and manufacturing, electrical engineering, metrology and instrument calibration. It mainly supports the update and development of test facilities and test instrumentation at the Test Centre, but also provides support to the Test Centre’s customers, as well as to the ESTEC laboratories and ESA projects. Technological research and development (R&D) activities in the above engineering fields are also carried out in the Engineering Services Section.

Duties

You will report to the Head of Engineering Services Section and will help to deal with requests in the technical fields described above, in particular in the fields of metrology and R&D.

Your main duties will include:

• Performing metrology measurements and providing consultancy to the Test Centre, laboratories and ESA programmes;
• Contributing to the day-to-day activities of the Metrology Laboratory, including but not limited to the planning, organisation and follow-up of the required maintenance activities;
• Participating in feasibility studies, project reviews and evaluation of procurement proposals;
• Contributing to the generation of innovative ideas and technology developments in the field of test instrumentation for metrological applications;
• Monitoring applicable scientific and technological trends and maintaining state-of-the-art expertise in the field of metrology, specifically contactless measurement;
• Defining the requirements, conceptual design, development and qualification of state-of-the-art test instrumentation for space environmental measurement with a focus on precision contactless measurements;
• Supporting the maintenance of the ISO9001 certification of the Engineering Services Section, particularly the Metrology Laboratory;
• Supporting the investment and maintenance activities of the Test Centre;
• Contributing to the dissemination of the results of the activities performed and the transfer of knowledge across the Agency and in the scientific community.

Technical competencies

• Hands-on laboratory experience
• Experience with laboratory or field testing of relevant technical equipment
• Experience with the design, development and application of relevant tools and methods
• Experience in the preparation of procurement activities for technology development and innovation (statements of work, proposal evaluation, etc.)
• Knowledge of laboratory quality and management systems, e.g. ISO 17025/9001
• Organisational and reporting skills

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

A master's degree in geodesy, precision engineering or equivalent is required for this post.

Additional requirements

Given the responsibility of the daily running of the Metrology Laboratory, you are required to have proven work experience and good knowledge of the functioning principles for the following:

• Standard metrology tools, e.g. laser trackers, theodolites and CMM machines
• Laser radar
• Photogrammetry
• Thermography
• Alignment methods (contact and contactless)
• Calibration of light sources for sun simulation
• Proven experience with the use of MATLAB, LABVIEW and scripting in Python or native language for SpatialAnalyzer

Previous experience of cooperating with academic institutions and research centres on research activities would be an asset, as would knowledge of space project requirements, i.e. space environment, cleanliness and quality aspects.

Important Information and Disclaimer

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations & eligible to acquire the security clearance by their national security administrations.

Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.

Nationality and Languages

Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.

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.