Junior Professional in Chemical Propulsion

This post is part of ESA’s Junior Professional Programme. We are seeking enthusiastic candidates with up to 2–3 years of relevant professional experience after their Master's degree to join ESA for a four-year assignment. During this time, you will be actively working and learning on the job and will benefit from valuable mobility and developmental opportunities that will prepare you for a successful career at ESA. Subject to performance, it is the intention to offer you an indefinite contract at the end of the four years, which will start at the end of your Junior Professional assignment. The projected start date is January 2026. Recruitment will take place at the A1 grade. At the end of the fourth year and if you are offered an indefinite contract, you will be upgraded to the A2 grade.

Description

Junior Professional in the Chemical Propulsion Section, Propulsion, Aerothermodynamics and Flight Vehicles Engineering Division, Mechanical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

The Chemical Propulsion Section provides support to ESA projects for all kinds of chemical propulsion systems, including liquid, solid, and gaseous propulsion, from micro-propulsion to launcher class propulsion systems. The Section leads the development of chemical propulsion R&D activities with ESA’s industrial stakeholders and defines technology development roadmaps for future activities.

Duties

As a Junior Professional, your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• Analysis, conception, initiation, and pre-development of advanced propulsion concepts, technologies, and techniques in advanced cryogenic propulsion systems and storable and air-breathing propulsion
• Development of advanced breakthrough concepts for green propellants and green propellant chemistry technologies
• Design, development, and analysis of air-breathing technologies for atmospheric launch
• Development of breakthrough concepts for flight vehicle scrum engineering methods and tools for space transportation
• Development of advanced new concepts and ideas in chemical propulsion
• Development of fluid dynamics advanced breakthrough concepts for the analysis and prediction of gases and liquids for both internal and external flow regimes
• Providing expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects, programmes, and general studies in chemical propulsion systems throughout all project phases
• Participating in feasibility studies, project reviews, and the evaluation of procurement proposals
• Defining, initiating, and managing R&D activities covering both long- and short-term needs
• Laboratory activities as required
• Monitoring applicable scientific and technological trends and maintaining state-of-the-art expertise
• Providing support for other activities in your area of competence

Development Programme

In addition to your daily work, you will take part in an extensive learning and development programme. From day one, you will learn on the job and benefit from tailored development opportunities, including participation in technical and key skills training courses. The Junior Professional Programme includes a mobility component, which can be an internal rotation to another team within ESA, an external secondment outside of ESA, or a combination of both. Internal rotations aim to boost your professional experience and knowledge of the European Space Agency, whereas external secondments aim to boost your professional experience and knowledge of the European space sector. This programme represents a significant investment by ESA in your personal and professional development and is designed to provide you with the required knowledge and skills for a career at ESA. You can expect many opportunities to develop your professional experience and competencies, to learn from ESA experts, and to contribute to ESA activities.

Technical Competencies

• General background in the technical domains of advanced propulsion concepts, fluid dynamics, green propellants, and cryogenic propellant systems
• Experience with the application of relevant tools for chemical propulsion analysis
• Understanding of related technologies, R&D trends, and the industrial landscape
• Spacecraft systems knowledge
• 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

A master’s degree in aerospace, mathematics, mechanical engineering or physics is required.

Additional Requirements

• You should have between two and three years of professional experience, preferably in a relevant domain, after completion of your master's degree.

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 and security clearance by their national security administrations. 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

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. 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. 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.

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.