ESA Graduate Trainee in Mechanisms Engineering

Our team and mission

Join the Mechanisms Section (TEC-MSM) within ESA’s Structures, Mechanisms and Materials Division (TEC-MS) at ESTEC (Noordwijk, Netherlands). TEC-MS is the centre of competence of the Agency in all areas related to spacecraft and launcher structures, mechanisms (including tribology and pyrotechnic devices) as well as materials and processes. This encompasses spacecraft and launcher lightweight structures, stable structures, advanced mechanical materials applications, structural dynamics, damage tolerance, deployable structures/booms, active structures, hold-down and release devices, electrical motors for space mechanisms, launcher and re-entry vehicle hot- and cold structures, landing attenuation systems, seals, valves, parachute systems, separation systems, solar array drive mechanisms, reaction wheels, pointing mechanisms, pyrotechnics, bearings and tribology aspects. It provides support to projects, preparatory programmes and technology programmes.

The Mechanisms Section (TEC-MSM) is in charge of the design, engineering and verification of space mechanisms.
Space mechanisms is a very wide and challenging engineering domain requiring specific expertise and for which many topics deserve specific attention, down to the ultimate details.

This entails responsibility for:

• Overall mechanism definition, design and engineering
• Mechanism performance evaluation, simulation and analysis (including hardware tests where appropriate)
• Mechanism technology research and development (R&D) (addressing areas such as tribology/lubrication engineering, tribology-free and compliant mechanisms, mechanical components including ball bearings and gears, position sensors, pyrotechnics, electric motors)
• New/alternative actuation principles (e.g. by using active/smart materials)
• Mechanism and actuator drive and control concept

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

You will provide assistance to ESA Mechanisms engineers and will be given some specific tasks which may include:

• Critical review of design/analysis/simulation/optimisation/test activities/characterisation/validation (up to correlation of analysis with test results) in the area of space mechanisms
• Feasibility assessment of new mechanism design concepts
• Participation in the definition and implementation of R&D activities
• Participation in the project review process
• Participation in Concurrent Design Facility (CDF) studies
• Support of in-house research and technology investigations using hands-on laboratory facilities

For the above-mentioned engineering tasks, you may have to use the following software packages: MATLAB/Simulink®, CAD design tools (such as Inventor) or other more specialised software tools (FLUX, ANSYS Maxwell, COMSOL, ADAMS, LabVIEW, CABARET, RBS-DYN, OptiStruct etc.), 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 & stiffness analysis
• Test data acquisition and post-processing

Furthermore, you may be involved in development, design, manufacturing and test activities using and extending the test benches of the Space Mechanisms Hands-on Laboratory Facility at ESTEC. You may also be involved in prototyping various mechanisms by utilising additive manufacturing capabilities available in ESTEC.

Technical competencies

• Knowledge of relevant technical/functional domains
• Relevant experience gained during internships, project work and/or extracurricular or other activities
• General knowledge of the space sector and relevant activities
• Knowledge of ESA and its programmes/projects

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

You should have just completed, or be in the final year of your master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Additional requirements

You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team. Previous experience of working in international teams can be considered an asset.

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.

Nationality and Languages

Please note that applications can only be 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, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).

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.