Flight Vehicles & Aerothermodynamic 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.

Description

The Flight Vehicle and Aerothermodynamics Engineer reports to the Head of the Aerothermodynamics and Flight Vehicles Engineering Section (TEC-MPA), within the Propulsion, Aerothermodynamics and Flight Vehicles Engineering Division, Mechanical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

The Aerothermodynamics and Flight Vehicles Engineering Section (TEC-MPA) is responsible for research, technology development and testing activities related to aero(thermo)dynamics, fluid mechanics, flight physics, and flight vehicle engineering. It is also responsible for providing engineering support and technical expertise to ESA projects in these technical domains and serves as the technical focal point for flight vehicle architecture design, assessment and performance evaluation.

Duties

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

Provision of expert technical support to projects

• Providing expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects and programmes in the field of aero(thermo)dynamics, fluid mechanics, flight physics, and flight vehicle engineering;
• Participating in feasibility studies and project reviews throughout all project phases;
• Identifying critical development problems and assisting in their resolution;
• Using engineering software tools and facilities relevant to the technical domain, in support of projects and assessments;
• Promoting the use of relevant technical standards and best engineering practices, innovative methodologies and solutions in projects;

Definition and management of R&D activities

• Contributing to the definition of technology development requirements and work plans for the Agency’s technology programmes and R&D strategy;
• Defining, initiating and managing R&D activities covering both long- and short-term needs of the Agency;

Knowledge building and transfer

• 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;

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

Technical competencies

• General background and specific expertise in several of the domains of aero(thermo)dynamics, fluid mechanics, flight physics, and flight vehicle engineering.
• Knowledge of the design, development and application of relevant tools and methods in the technical domains covered by the Section.
• Understanding of technical challenges in these domains encountered by spacecraft and launchers.
• Understanding of relevant technologies, R&D trends and the associated industrial landscape.
• Experience in managing and monitoring 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 in a relevant domain is required for this post together with at least 10 years of relevant professional experience.

Additional requirements

• Long-standing experience in several of the engineering topics that are in the technical domain of the section.
• Demonstrated know-how of these topics in the context of relevant space applications.
• 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.
• A good knowledge of English or French is required; knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.