Experiment System 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

As Experiment System Engineer in the Astrophysics and International Collaboration Missions Section (SCI-FEA) within the Prodex Office (SCI-FE), Future Missions Department (SCI-F), Directorate of Science, you will contribute to the development of scientific instruments and experiments for space science missions.

Prodex is an optional programme dedicated to the development of scientific instruments and experiments for space science missions. Within the Prodex Office, the Astrophysics and International Collaboration Missions Section (SCI-FEA) is responsible for the implementation and monitoring of activities and developments relating to astrophysics and fundamental physics science missions, such as Athena, LISA and Ariel, as well as those involving external international partners with export control constraints. The Planetary Exploration and Solar System Missions Section (SCI-FEP) addresses Prodex activities and developments relating to ESA’s solar and planetary exploration missions, including Envision, Comet Interceptor, the upcoming M7 mission, and the ISS. Developments in other domains handled by the Office, such as extrasolar planetary sciences or Earth observation, may be entrusted to either section to ensure appropriate workforce balancing.

Besides the Prodex Programme, the Future Missions Department is responsible for preparing future missions, as well as defining and implementing small/fast missions, such as Comet Interceptor and ARRAKIHS, within the Directorate of Science.

Duties

You will be responsible for implementing and monitoring several Prodex activities assigned to you, with an emphasis on scientific space instrumentation development. The developments may involve industry and/or scientific institutes and may cover either a full instrument or instrument subsystem contributions.

Specific duties will include:

• establishing the overall work programme for the development of Prodex experiments within the scientific institutes in line with instructions from the relevant delegations;
• monitoring the technical, schedule and financial status of experiment developments, identifying potential problem areas and proposing remedial actions;
• assisting, in coordination with scientific institutes and project teams, in the preparation of tender documents, participating in proposal evaluations, preparing the information required for contract negotiations and subsequently monitoring the end-to-end development of projects/activities contracted to industrial consortiums;
• supporting the review of project implementation proposals and implementing new development activities as assigned;
• liaising between the relevant scientific institutes and industry for the duration of the contracts, interfacing with internal ESA project teams or specialists on technical/programmatic matters and with the relevant financial and procurement experts on financial and contractual matters;
• acting as the focal point for technical and administrative interfaces between the Prodex experiments and your Head of Section;
• regular reporting to your line manager on the status of the activities and any difficulties encountered, including written input as requested.

Technical competencies

• Demonstrated experience in system engineering and AIV
• Hands-on scientific (space) hardware development experience
• Design, development and verification of scientific (space) instrumentation, including optics, detection and electronic subsystems, and mechanical and thermal aspects
• Management of industrial development activities, including reviews (developments by industrial and/or research institute consortiums)
• Knowledge of cost and schedule elements of (space) hardware development contracts
• Experience in managing scientific space hardware developments with multiple interfaces, such as scientific investigators, experiment consortiums, space agencies’ project teams and industry

Behavioural competencies

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

Education and professional experience

A master’s degree or equivalent in physics, space engineering or instrumentation engineering is required for this post, together with at least four years of relevant professional experience.

A PhD is considered an asset.

Additional requirements

You should also demonstrate an ability to:

• apply a systems-oriented approach to the specifics of each project and partner, taking into consideration technical, financial and schedule aspects
• proactively engage and coordinate a diverse range of internal technical experts and work with external partners, scientific institutes and industry while considering programmatic constraints
• anticipate problems and propose solutions, bearing the overall goals of the Prodex Office in mind
• show flexibility in dealing with day-to-day operational challenges, while demonstrating strong planning and organisational skills
• maintain a high level of motivation and dedication, taking ownership and working in a proactive manner
• work independently while providing your line manager with regular feedback and asking for support where necessary
• communicate complex technical issues clearly, accurately and convincingly, both verbally and in writing

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.

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.