Thermal Engineer

Join the Thermal Control Section, Thermal Division, Mechanical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands, as a Thermal Engineer.

The Thermal Control Section provides functional support to ESA projects and carries out technological research (R&D) in the field of thermal control, two-phase heat transport and thermal protection.

The Section is part of a key centre of competence in space thermal engineering, covering the complete temperature range and staffed with around 25 engineers supporting all ESA projects and the development of thermal hardware technologies.

The Section offers a unique opportunity to contribute to solutions to the thermal challenges required for ESA missions, spacecraft, instruments and equipment, and is very active in knowledge management.

Duties

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

• providing expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects, programmes and general studies in the field of thermal control throughout all project phases;
• participating in feasibility studies, project reviews and the evaluation of procurement proposals;
• performing analysis as required to support the thermal subsystem definition;
• participating in thermal testing activities and correlating analysis and test results;
• 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 programmes;
• defining, initiating and managing R&D activities covering both long- and short-term needs;
• fostering new application areas for multidisciplinary activities, placing emphasis on innovative concepts, cutting-edge technologies and system architectures;
• laboratory activities as required;
• 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;
• supporting other activities within your field of expertise as required.

Technical competencies

• General background and experience in the technical domains covered by the position
• Hands-on hardware experience
• Understanding of related technologies, R&D trends and the industrial landscape
• Project support experience in a relevant domain
• Environmental testing for space hardware
• Experience in the preparation of procurement activities for technology development and innovation, such as statements of work and proposal evaluation

Behavioural competencies

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

Education and professional experience

A master’s degree in mechanical engineering or physics is required for this post together with at least 4 years of relevant professional experience.

Additional requirements

Experience in spacecraft thermal engineering, related technologies and a general knowledge of space thermal control analysis tools, such as ESATAN-TMS, is required.

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 and 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, 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.