AOCS and Pointing Systems Engineer (3 Positions)

This role is in the AOCS and Pointing Architecture Section, GNC, AOCS and Pointing Division, Electrical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

This vacancy is published to recruit for either: an appointment of 4 years, extendable to an indefinite duration; or a fixed-term appointment with an initial duration of 4 years that, depending on performance and organisational needs, may be extended up to a maximum total duration of 8 years.

Description

The AOCS and Pointing Architecture Section provides functional support for space missions in the domains of Earth observation, science, resilience, navigation and connectivity.

The Section carries out technological research and development, harmonisation and standardisation in the field of AOCS and pointing, with a focus on subsystem competitiveness, improvement and innovation for performance, robustness, autonomy and process.

Duties

Reporting to the Head of Section, 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 AOCS and pointing systems, including AOCS architecture design and verification, AOCS applicative software and FDIR, as well as AOCS equipment procurement, throughout all project phases
• Participating in feasibility studies, project reviews and the 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 programmes
• Defining, initiating and managing R&D activities covering both long- and short-term needs and addressing AOCS-enabling and -enhancing concepts and advanced control techniques
• Fostering new application areas for multidisciplinary activities, placing emphasis on innovative concepts, cutting-edge technologies and system architectures
• Carrying out laboratory activities for the testing of AOCS products and the evaluation and prototyping of new AOCS solutions
• 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 supporting other activities within your field of competence.

Technical competencies

• General background and specific experience in the technical domains covered by the position
• Hands-on experience
• Understanding of related technologies, R&D trends and the industrial landscape
• Project support experience in a relevant domain
• Experience in the management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in reviews

Behavioural competencies

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

Education and professional experience

A master's degree in control engineering and/or aerospace engineering is required for this post together with a minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience.

Additional requirements

You should have at least five years' experience in the development of satellite AOCS subsystems and in the procurement engineering of a range of AOCS hardware units. Preference will be given to those with expertise in two or more of the following areas relating to the position:

• AOCS subsystem architecture, design, testing and verification, including control algorithm design and tuning, analysis and simulation
• AOCS modelling and software, including automatic code generation, hardware and spacecraft avionics
• Pointing error engineering
• Advanced control, optimisation and estimation techniques
• Smallsat and nanosat AOCS
• Laboratory facility or hands-on hardware, including integration, experience
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques for AOCS applications and engineering

Your motivation for supporting engineering laboratory activities and for proposing new R&D activities will be considered in the selection process.

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 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 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.