Mechanisms Engineer

In the Mechanisms Section, Structures, Mechanisms and Materials Division, Mechanical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality, you will provide functional support to ESA projects and carry out technological research and development in the fields of space mechanisms, including deployment and pointing or hold-down and release, solar array drives, reaction wheels, tribology, pyrotechnics, and space mechanical systems for satellites and launchers.

Description

The Mechanisms Section provides functional support to ESA projects and carries out technological research (R&D) in the fields of space mechanisms, such as deployment and pointing or hold-down and release, solar array drives, and reaction wheels; tribology; pyrotechnics; and space mechanical systems for satellites and launchers.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• providing technical expertise and consultancy to ESA projects, programmes and general studies in the field of mechanisms throughout all project phases;
• participating in feasibility studies, project reviews and evaluation of procurement proposals;
• identifying critical development problems and assisting in their resolution, as well as assessing mechanism development and verification test programmes;
• 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;
• defining relevant infrastructure requirements in terms of testing, standards and numerical simulation;
• participating in hands-on laboratory activities as required;
• monitoring applicable scientific and technological trends and maintaining state-of-the-art expertise;
• disseminating the results of the activities performed and actively contributing to the transfer of knowledge across the Agency.

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

Technical competencies

• General background and specific experience in the technical domains covered by the position
• Experience in the development and verification of space hardware
• Experience in the preparation of procurement activities for technology development and innovation (statements of work and proposal evaluation)
• Project support experience in a relevant domain
• Hands-on laboratory experience
• Experience in the management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in reviews
• Experience with Space Engineering Standards and their preparation and implementation

Behavioural competencies

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

Education and professional experience

A master’s degree in mechanical or aeronautical engineering is required.

Additional requirements

Knowledge of simulation software, for example MATLAB/Simulink®, CAD design tools, such as FreeCAD, or other more specialised software tools, such as NSYS Maxwell, COMSOL, ADAMS, LabVIEW, CABARET, RBS-DYN or OptiStruct, with particular emphasis on:

• time and frequency domain performance representation and analysis;
• multi-body system modelling and simulation;
• design (including topology optimisation) and FEM analysis of compliant mechanisms;
• electromagnetic system modelling and simulation;
• multiphysics modelling and simulation;
• ball bearing loading/strength and stiffness analysis;
• test data acquisition and post-processing.

Experience with space mechanisms/mechanism building blocks and related subsystems is desirable, as is knowledge of space tribology.

Several years of experience in the design, development and testing of mechanisms for space or aeronautical applications will be considered an asset.

Important Information and Disclaimer

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.

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations and 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.

According to the ESA Convention, staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the Member States.

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.