ESA Graduate Trainee in Optical Engineering

Join ESA as a Graduate Trainee in Optical Engineering.

Our team and mission

The Optics Section, as part of the Optics, Robotics & Life Sciences Division, provides optical engineering support to ESA projects and carries out technological research in the areas of optical component technology, optical instrumentation (spectro-radiometric imaging instruments in the visible and infrared, interferometry, optical aperture synthesis) and testing (calibration and performance verification).

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

As a trainee, you will be exposed to a wide range of activities addressed within the optics section. In assistance to ESA optical engineers, you will participate in the development of optical instruments for dedicated space projects, and you will be involved research and development activities of the corresponding optical technologies. In addition, you will be assigned to the optical engineering tasks as outlined below, which you will focus on during your traineeship.

1. The optical design and performance prediction of optical instrumentation relies on commercial software tools. You will have the task to explore possibilities, evaluate limitations of existing software/software under development and help in adding additional functionalities required for the design of novel instruments.
2. Adding functionality to allow the performance simulation of optical designs employing non-classical components, such as meta-optical elements.

Throughout your traineeship, you will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of engineers and scientists, gaining insights from their expertise while contributing your unique perspective. By the end of your internship, you will have gained valuable experience in the working principle of optical instruments for space applications in general, and polarization effects within multi- and hyperspectral imagers in particular. You will have acquired skills in using advanced optical simulation tools and you will have gained hands-on experience related to the characterization of optical components in a laboratory environment.

As part of your traineeship, you will also get the opportunity to learn about other activities and projects that the section is involved in.

Technical competencies

• Knowledge of relevant technical/functional domains
• Relevant experience gained during internships, project work and/or extracurricular or other activities
• General knowledge of the space sector and relevant activities
• Knowledge of ESA and its programmes/projects

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

You should have recently completed or be in the final year of your master’s degree in Physics or Optical Engineering.

Additional requirements

A very good knowledge in developing numerical simulation tools such as Matlab or Python and a basic experience in the use of optical engineering software (for example Zemax OpticStudio, CodeV, RayJack-1) is required.

You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team. Previous experience of working in international teams can be considered an asset.

Important Information and Disclaimer

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

Nationality and Languages

Please note that applications can only be 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, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).

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.

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.