Payload Validation Engineer

The Future Missions Department oversees mission preparation activities for ESA’s science programmes, including mission definition studies (Phases 0/A/B1) and technology development activities.

The Payload Validation Section is responsible for conducting laboratory-based payload element validation activities, with an emphasis on imaging focal plane technologies, to support the development of instrumentation for future ESA space science missions. The main aim of the validation activities is to verify performance requirements under operational conditions, including assessing the influence of radiation. Most of these activities take place during Phase 0/A/B1. The Section also provides support to the Directorate’s other departments in relation to specific validation activities and to missions under development (phase B2/C/D) or during operations (phase E).

Furthermore, the Section provides general payload expertise support to the Directorate’s other entities and supports the development of new payload technologies.

Description

Reporting to the Head of the Payload Validation Section, you will work as a Payload Validation Engineer in the Payload Validation Section, Science Instrumentation Division, Future Missions Department, Directorate of Science.

Duties

• Support the team in defining the validation activities as specified in the test request.
• Define the software required for the setup of the validation activities.
• Prepare the setup of the validation activities, with emphasis on software aspects.
• Perform software development in support of payload technology validation and science research activities, including low-level hardware interfacing, user interfaces, system automation, data analysis and visualisation tools, remote control and data acquisition, and development and maintenance of the existing Python library used in the SCI-F laboratories.
• Perform digital system programming (microcontrollers and FPGAs) for control and automation of test equipment.
• Prepare and maintain test documentation, such as test requirements, user manuals, test plans, procedures and test reports.
• Perform commissioning and testing of the setup of the validation activities.
• Perform tests relating to payload validation activities.
• Perform test data analysis and report to the supported study team, project team or operations team.
• Support the monitoring of industrial technology development activities, such as reviews.
• Support the evaluation of proposals in response to mission calls, missions of opportunity and technology calls.
• Provide payload expertise for future mission studies or projects.
• Support the testing of front-end electronics for scientific sensors, such as CCDs, infrared detectors and CIS.
• Support mixed-signal ASIC testing at room and cryogenic temperatures for ground and space applications.

Technical competencies

• Excellent understanding of microcontrollers, FPGAs and digital systems for test equipment control and automation, for example VHDL.
• Excellent understanding of readout electronics, in particular for CMOS and CCD as currently used in space science instrumentation.
• Excellent understanding of software development for data analysis, visualisation and automation and related tools, such as C and C libraries, C++, Python and specific libraries, for example PyFITS, PyVISA, pyGTK, SciPy, NumPy and Matplotlib.
• Knowledge of payload technologies and general space science instrumentation.
• Knowledge of space radiation effects on imaging detectors.
• Hands-on experience in software development, especially in areas such as low-level hardware interfacing, user interfaces, system automation and data analysis tools.
• Hands-on experience in performance testing, under representative space conditions, of hardware of the type typically used in space science payloads.

Behavioural competencies

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

Education and professional experience

A master’s degree in physics and engineering, with a focus on software engineering, is required for this post, together with at least four years of relevant professional experience.

Additional information

• 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 subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
• ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.
• A good knowledge of English or French is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.