Discipline Engineer in the Mechanical Department (Reserve list)

This job opening is for the purposes of Reserve list recruitment on multiple positions.

ESA is initiating a Reserve list recruitment process to meet the consistently high demand for discipline engineers in the Mechanical Department in support of the Agency’s cutting-edge space projects and programmes. If selected, you will remain on the Reserve list for a period of 24 months, during which you will be fast-tracked for positions in upcoming projects. While inclusion in the Reserve list does not guarantee recruitment, it positions you as a valuable resource to fill ESA's future vacancies.

Description

The Mechanical Department in the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality provides expert technical support and authority for spacecraft mechanical systems across all mission phases, from early design to in-orbit operations ensuring technical excellence, compliance with standards and the reliability of ESA missions.

In particular, the Mechanical Department is responsible for providing engineering expertise in the following areas:

• automation and robotics,
• life support and physical sciences instrumentation,
• optics,
• opto-electronics,
• quantum technologies,
• structures,
• mechanisms,
• materials and manufacturing processes,
• cleanliness and contamination control,
• thermal control (including cryogenics),
• chemical propulsion,
• electric propulsion,
• aerothermodynamics,
• and flight vehicles engineering.

Currently we are looking for multiple discipline engineering profiles who will contribute to the provision of technical and engineering support across ESA programmes and projects.

The Discipline Engineer provides engineering expertise within a specific technical domain. It includes functional support to ESA projects, managing R&D activities, advancing technology development, contributing to the Agency’s technology programmes and fostering innovation. Additionally, the Discipline Engineer supports knowledge sharing and standardisation efforts to ensure quality, consistency, and the effective transfer of knowledge across the Agency. The Discipline Engineer may be responsible for laboratory activities if applicable. Additionally, the Discipline Engineer may be also covering the role of Technical Officer for a contract.

Duties

The elements below highlight the types of responsibilities and tasks that you can carry out when supporting space projects and programmes at ESA. Your specific duties will be further defined depending on the final appointment.

1. Technical expertise and project support

• Providing technical expertise, functional support, and consultancy in a specific technical domain to the Agency’s project teams responsible for the development of space systems and segments throughout all project phases.
• Contributing to the design, development, verification and testing of a (sub)system to meet its technical requirements and integration into the overall space systems and segments.
• Identifying critical development problems and supporting their resolution.
• Applying relevant engineering standards and methods to ensure quality and consistency.
• Providing technical expertise to feasibility studies, project reviews and evaluation of procurement proposals.

2. R&D management, technology and innovation development

• Defining and initiating R&D activities in a specific technical domain for both long- and short-term needs.
• Managing R&D activities in collaboration with industry, including development of requirements, Statements of Work, evaluation of proposals, contract oversight, participation in reviews.
• Contributing to the definition of technology development requirements and work plans in the Agency’s technological programmes.
• Exploring multidisciplinary application areas, focussing on innovative concepts and advanced technologies.
• Monitoring applicable scientific and technological trends and maintaining state-of-the-art expertise.

3. Knowledge sharing and standardisation

• Contributing to dissemination of the results and the transfer of knowledge across the Agency through active knowledge sharing effort.
• Supporting knowledge sharing efforts and initiatives, in particular related to the technical field.
• Contributing to the continuous improvement and evolution of engineering best practices and standards.

4. Laboratory activities

• Managing and contributing to laboratory maintenance and operations, including quality and infrastructure management as required.
• Performing laboratory activities, including testing of relevant (sub)systems, instruments, equipment, and materials.

Technical competencies

• Discipline-specific engineering expertise (Ability to apply engineering principles and specialised knowledge to analyse, design, model, and evaluate technical solutions within a specific engineering domain)
• Engineering design & development (Ability to design, optimise, and develop technical solutions that meet functional, performance and interface requirements within given constraints)
• Verification, Validation & Testing (Ability to plan, design, and interpret verification, validation, and testing activities to confirm that engineering solutions meet requirements)
• Technology development (Ability to identify technology needs, plan and manage development activities, advance and implement new technologies)
• Laboratory & Test Facility Management (Ability to plan, operate, and maintain lab/test facilities, including resource allocation, safety, and process optimization)
• Industrial oversight (Ability to guide, monitor, and assess industrial or external partner activities to ensure delivered solutions align with technical requirements and quality standards)
• Technology foresight (Ability to monitor technology trends, assess emerging opportunities, and adapt applications from other sectors to advance innovative solutions)
• Knowledge management (Ability to capture, organise, and share knowledge, including lessons learned and best practices, to enable learning, ensure consistency, and improve quality across teams and projects)

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation
Operational EfficiencyFostering CooperationRelationship ManagementContinuous ImprovementForward Thinking

Education

A master's degree in a relevant domain is required for this post.

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 and Canada, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.

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.