Instrumentation Engineer

This is a fixed-term appointment with an initial duration of 4 years. Depending upon performance and organisational needs, the appointment may be extended up to a possible maximum duration of 8 years.

Instrumentation Engineer

Instrumentation Engineer in the Life Support and Physical Sciences Instrumentation Section, Optics, Robotics and Life Sciences Division, Mechanical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

The Life Support and Physical Sciences Instrumentation Section focuses on payloads for human and robotic exploration, environmental control and life support (ECLS) and in situ resource utilisation (ISRU) design, engineering and verification. It provides support to projects, preparatory and technology programmes, with an additional focus on in situ instrumentation for planetary missions and microgravity experiments.

Duties

You will report to the Head of Section and, within the technical fields described above, your main tasks and responsibilities will include:

• Providing engineering support, including technical risk management, to ESA projects, programmes and general studies in the field of payload development for planetary missions throughout all project phases;
• Actively following up and interfacing with industry and the science community for payload development and integration for planetary missions, payloads onboard the ISS and future platforms;
• Participating in feasibility studies, project reviews and evaluation of procurement proposals;
• Identifying critical development problems and assisting in their resolution;
• Contributing to the definition of technology development requirements and work plans for the Agency’s technology programs for future payloads and technologies;
• Defining, initiating and managing R&D activities covering both long- and short-term needs;
• Monitoring applicable scientific and technological trends and maintaining state-of-the-art expertise;
• Contributing to the dissemination of the results of the activities performed and the transfer of knowledge across the Agency;
• Providing support for laboratory and integration activities if needed.

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

Technical competencies

• General background and specific industrial experience in the technical domain covered by the position for payload development and implementation
• Hands-on hardware experience
• Payload implementation and AIV/AIT experience
• Experience in the preparation of procurement activities for technology development and innovation (statements of work and proposal evaluation)
• Understanding of related technologies, R&D trends and the industrial landscape
• 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 a relevant domain is required for this post together with five years of relevant professional experience in payload development and integration.

Additional requirements

• Experience in spaceflight instrumentation hardware development and qualification
• A PhD in a relevant domain would 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 & 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.