Payload Engineer

Payload Engineer Opportunity

Description

Comet Interceptor is a “Fast” (F-Class) mission in ESA’s Science Programme that is jointly developed by ESA, Member States, and JAXA, for dual launch with the Ariel Spacecraft in 2029. Comet Interceptor was adopted by ESA’s Science Programme Committee in June 2022. It consists of a main spacecraft carrying two probes (B1 and B2) intended to perform a flyby of a pristine comet, with multi-point measurements provided by the main spacecraft and both its probes.

You will join the Comet Interceptor Project, Future Missions Department, Directorate of Science. You will report to the Payload Section Manager.

Duties

Reporting to the Comet Interceptor Payload Manager, your tasks and responsibilities will include the following:

• Contributing to the definition of instrument specifications that are consistent with Science requirements as well as system and mission constraints, in close collaboration with instrument teams and the ESA Project team.
• Identifying and addressing the main technical issues during instrument development in close collaboration with instrument teams, taking a pragmatic, proactive approach.
• Contributing to the definition, consolidation, and management of the technical interfaces between payload and platform in close cooperation with the prime contractor(s) and other project team members.
• Ensuring that relevant technical data is exchanged in an effective manner between instrument teams and prime contractors and that the interfaces are consolidated and established in ICDs agreed by all the parties involved.
• Producing and maintaining payload-related technical documentation (such as ICDs or technical reports).
• Organising and coordinating payload engineering support, including access to support from the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality and ESTEC test facilities, in relevant technical areas, in accordance with the objectives set by the Payload Manager.
• Contributing to the technical management of payload elements provided by Member States, ESA, and/or international contributions, in close coordination with and reporting to the Payload Manager.
• Acting as the interface between the project and the instrument teams regarding all technical matters.
• Monitoring and supporting the complete instrument development process headed by nationally led consortiums, in terms of both the technical and schedule status, verifying that performance and engineering requirements are met during all the programme phases up to in-flight commissioning.
• Contributing to instrument subsystem- and system-level reviews (I-SRR, I-PDR, I-CDR, I-QAR) as well as to the payload-related part of satellite-level reviews, during all project phases.
• Monitoring and supporting the integration, testing, and calibration of the instruments and their integration on the spacecraft.
• Supporting the mission commissioning phase, with specific emphasis on payload aspects and preparation for routine operations.
• Reporting to the Payload Manager on all technical and programmatic aspects of the payload, such as schedule, performance, major issues and risks, instrument verification status, etc.

Technical competencies

• Requirements engineering
• Space systems engineering
• Design and development of science payloads for science missions
• Definition of mechanical, thermal, electrical, and software interfaces
• Payload integration, verification, and testing
• Space systems AIV/T (emphasis on payload tests at satellite level)

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

A PhD or a master's degree in physics or engineering is required for this post.

Additional requirements

You should also:

• Have the necessary relationship management skills to balance the interactions with various stakeholders, including scientific institutions and industry.
• Be self-motivated.
• Be systems oriented.
• Have several years of project or industrial experience in the development and testing of various types of space instrumentation and space system.

International experience would be an asset, i.e., outside your home country, as would experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness

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. 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 via email at contact.human.resources@esa.int.

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.

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.

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

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.

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, Canada, 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.