Intern in the Power Management and Distribution Section

Internship Opportunity: Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality

Our Team and Mission

This position is based at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) - Noordwijk, Netherlands. The Power Management and Distribution Section provides functional support to ESA projects and carries out technological research (R&D) in the fields of power management and distribution for space applications, whether primary or secondary, platform or payload. In particular, the section covers:

• Power system design
• Power and energy budget assessment
• Power conditioning and distribution design and technology
• Analogue electronics for power systems
• Control of power systems
• Digital control of power systems
• Sensing techniques and high-voltage technology and design

Field(s) of Activity for the Internship

You can choose between the following topics:

1) Topic 1: Digital control of DC/DC converters

This topic will be hosted in the Power Management and Distribution section in the TEC-EP Division. An FPGA will be used to design a control system for a DC/DC converter. The idea is to implement innovative control and monitoring systems, like peak and valley current mode, stability monitoring, failure prediction, etc. The topic involves practical work in the laboratory building a DC/DC converter and programming the control system in an FPGA.

2) Topic 2: Design process of DC/DC converters with Python

This topic will be hosted in the Power Management and Distribution section in the TEC-EP Division. The design process of a DC/DC converter includes the selection of the topology, selection of semiconductors and losses calculation, design of the magnetic components, and the control system. It is a long process involving multiple topics. Python will be used to implement this design process in order to obtain a detailed converter model. For some of the steps of the process, FEMM, a finite element analysis tool, will be called from Python to complement the analysis.

3) Topic 3: Space power system simulation

This topic is related to the overall power system, exploring various topologies and performing trade-offs to assess which is the best option for a given mission. In this task, the power budget, the system architecture, and the orbit impact will be studied. This role is mainly based on the use of system-level simulators.

Behavioural Competencies

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

For more information, please refer to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook.

Education

You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of a university course at Master's level, and you need to remain enrolled at your university for the entire duration of the internship.

Additional Requirements

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.

The topics require educational knowledge, such as:

• Topic 1: Knowledge and background in DC/DC power conversion, FPGA programming; Python programming is an asset.
• Topic 2: Knowledge and background in DC/DC power conversion and Python programming is an asset.
• Topic 3: Knowledge and background in DC/DC power conversion, Python programming, and electrical simulation.

Other Information

ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability, or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.

At the Agency, we value diversity, and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email at contact.human.resources@esa.int.

Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, and Slovenia, as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia, and Cyprus as European Cooperating States (ECS).