Intern in the Mechanical Department, Mechanisms Section

Internship Opportunity in the Mechanical Department, Mechanisms Section

Our team and mission

The Structures, Mechanisms and Materials Division at ESTEC is responsible for all aspects related to spacecraft structures, mechanisms (including tribology and pyrotechnic devices), materials (including related manufacturing and assembly processes, space environmental effects, cleanliness and contamination control), and associated computational and laboratory facilities.

In particular, the Division is in charge of:

• Performing design, development, and verification of spacecraft structures, mechanisms, materials, and manufacturing processes using state-of-the-art expertise, tools, and facilities
• Providing support to all ESA Projects, including assistance with materials, structures, mechanisms, systems, and sub-systems failure investigations
• Defining, coordinating, and executing technology development activities in the field of expertise
• Establishing and managing the necessary computing and internal/external laboratory facilities in conjunction with the TEC infrastructure function
• Supporting the establishment and implementation of standards for the development, qualification, and procurement of structures, mechanisms, and space grade materials, and manufacturing processes
• Supporting the Product Assurance and Safety Managers in the qualification and approval of all materials, mechanical parts, associated manufacturing processes, including cleanliness and contamination control aspects, for all ESA Projects/Programmes. For the provision of this support, TEC-MS Part Material Process (PMP) experts report functionally to the Product Assurance and Safety Managers
• Supporting the System Engineering Managers in the selection, design, and characterisation of all materials and processes and in the selection, design, characterisation, and qualification of all structures and mechanisms for all ESA Projects/Programmes

The Mechanisms section (TEC-MSM) provides functional support to ESA projects and carries out technological research (R&D) in the fields of space mechanisms, tribology, and pyrotechnics. Space mechanisms is a wide and challenging engineering domain requiring specific expertise, with many topics deserving specific attention down to the ultimate details.

The section is the focal point for matters relating to the design, engineering, and verification of space mechanisms. This entails responsibility for:

• Overall mechanisms definition, design, and engineering
• Mechanisms performance evaluation, simulation, and analysis (including hardware tests where appropriate)
• Mechanisms technology research and development (addressing areas such as tribology/lubrication engineering, tribology-free and compliant mechanisms, mechanical components including ball bearings & gears, position sensors, electric motors, new/alternative actuation principles such as active/smart materials)
• Mechanism and actuator drive and control concepts targeting higher positioning accuracy and/or lower micro-disturbances
• Pyrotechnics

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic of the internship: Space Mechanisms design, development and testing

The internship position will be given specific tasks which may include:

• Critical review of design, analysis, simulation, optimisation, test activities, characterisation, and validation (up to the correlation of analysis with test results) in the domain of space mechanisms
• Feasibility assessment of new mechanisms design concepts
• Participation in the definition and implementation of R&D activities
• Participation in the project review process
• Participation in CDF (Concurrent Design Facility) studies
• Support of in-house research and technology investigations using hands-on laboratory facilities

In the frame of the above-mentioned activities, you may have to use the following software packages: MATLAB/Simulink®, CAD design tools (such as FreeCAD or SolidWorks), or other more specialised software tools (such as Abaqus, ANSYS Maxwell, COMSOL, ADAMS, LabVIEW, CABARET, RBS-DYN, OptiStruct, etc.), with particular emphasis on:

• Time and frequency domain performance representation and analysis
• Multi-body system modelling and simulation
• Design (including topology optimisation) and FEM analysis of compliant mechanisms
• Electromagnetic system modelling and simulation
• Multiphysics modelling and simulation
• Ball bearing loading/strength and stiffness analysis
• Test data acquisition and post-processing

Furthermore, you may be involved in development, design, manufacturing, and test activities using and extending the test benches of the Space Mechanisms Hands-on Laboratory Facility at ESTEC. You may also be involved in the prototyping of various mechanisms by utilising additive manufacturing capabilities available in ESTEC.

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

You must be a university student, preferably studying at master’s level. In addition, you must be able to prove that you will be 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 ESA Member State language is an asset.
• During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.
• Specific competence in one of the following disciplines will be considered an asset: Mechanical and mechatronics engineering, with a good understanding of tribology, ball bearings, gears, electrical motors, sensors, smart materials and compliant mechanisms, as well as of instrumentation and testing of electro-mechanical equipment.
• Proficiency in the use of engineering software tools would be very helpful.

Important Information and Disclaimer

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests.

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding internship conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.

Nationality

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, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.