ESA Graduate Trainee in AOCS/GNC Sensors Characterisation

Our team and mission

With more than 40 members, the Division is responsible for the following duties:

Project support

• Conceptual design studies for future missions GNC/AOCS, in particular in Concurrent Design Facilities (CDF) studies.
• GNC/AOCS design, system analysis and modelling for future and current missions from ESA Directorates, for example Exploration, Space Transportation, Earth Observation, Science, Telecommunication and Navigation.

Technology development

• Definition of technology development requirements for space missions and ESA technology programmes covering both long and short-term needs.
• Mission enabling R/D activities for AOCS and Pointing Systems (generic architecture and competitive Building Blocks including FDIR, high accuracy pointing including line of sight stabilization, …).
• Mission enabling R/D activities for GNC (interplanetary cruise, aero assistance, precision landing, ascent, rendezvous and docking, re-entry, formation flying and drag-free systems, …).
• Technology development of AOCS sensors and actuators (star trackers, sun and Earth sensors, gyroscopes, accelerometers and Inertial Measurement Units, magnetometers, magnetic torquers, …).
• Fostering the utilisation of advanced control, estimation, verification and optimisation techniques.

Laboratory work

• Evaluation and prototyping of GNC/AOCS sensors and actuators (Sensor Test facilities).
• Evaluation and prototyping of new GNC techniques (GNC Testbed, GNC Rendezvous, Approach and Landing Simulator, Optical Navigation Test Bench).
• Evaluation and prototyping of new AOCS, pointing systems and associated sensors (Pointing Systems Test Facilities, participation to Avionics Lab).

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

As a member of the GNC, AOCS and Pointing Division in the Electrical Department, you will contribute to laboratory activities in the field of the GNC, AOCS and Pointing Laboratory, with a primary focus on characterization of AOCS & GNC Sensors:

• Performance characterization of new Inertial Sensors (Gyroscopes & Accelerometers) developed in the division.
• Performance & robustness tests of Star Trackers, Cameras and their processing electronics.
• Maintenance or enhancement of the GNC, AOCS & Pointing Laboratory facilities.
• Processing of large data-sets from either ground calibrations or in-flight data.

You will contribute to the design and production of test equipment (both hardware and software), Test Plan production, Test execution and the development of data analysis tools. You will produce test reports for each test performed and documentation for any test equipment and tools developed.

One of the objectives of these test equipment is to increase automation of tests to improve reproducibility of results and reduce processing time.

You will be expected to show interest in data acquisition and processing (Labview, Matlab/Simulink, C++ or Python).

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 just completed, or be in the final year of your master’s degree in Electronics, Mechatronics or Control Engineering.

Additional requirements

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.

You should also have a good awareness of electronic design (PCB layout, basic circuit design) and software coding (Python, Maltab and Labview). Hands-on laboratory or test experience would be important assets.

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.