Structural Engineer

Job Expired

Noordwijk, Netherlands

Full Time

a year ago

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Job description

EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY

Vacancy in the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

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.

Post

Structural Engineer

This is a non-renewable post for a limited duration of four years and is classified A2-A4 on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale.

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description

Structural Engineer in the Structures Section of the Structures, Mechanisms and Materials Division, Mechanical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

The Structures Section provides functional support to ESA projects and carries out technological research and development (R&D) in the fields of mechanical systems, structural design and verification, manufacturing, structural dynamics and the application of lightweight structures.

Your initial assignment will be as functional support for the Argonaut project in the Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes, reporting to the Argonaut Engineering Team Leader.

Duties

Reporting to the Head of Section and within the technical fields described above, your main tasks and responsibilities will include:

•   participating in feasibility studies for the preparation of specifications and analysis of industrial proposals.
•   providing functional support to approved spacecraft and payload projects as well as conceptual and feasibility studies in relation to all aspects of mechanical systems and configuration, structural design, static and dynamic analyses, fracture control and mechanical testing.
•   identifying critical development problems and assisting in their resolution, including the evaluation of complete mechanical systems.
•   performing structural analysis as required to support the development of structure subsystems.
•   participating in major reviews of spacecraft, launchers and payloads.
•   establishing and evaluating specifications for the development and qualification of spacecraft system and subsystem structures with respect to defining requirements for environment-induced loads, model development philosophy and relevant verification methods.
•   participating in the definition and execution of Agency standards and technology R&D programmes with a special emphasis on mechanical system and configuration aspects, lightweight structures, structural dynamics and advanced structural materials technologies.
•   supporting activities related to structural integrity, the evaluation of loads during the life of the structures and their impact on overall verification, including the establishment of specifications, design, analysis, inspection and testing.
•   supporting concurrent design activities regarding mechanical systems aspects.
•   monitoring applicable scientific and technological trends and maintaining state-of-the-art expertise.

Technical competencies

General background and specific experience in the technical domains covered by the position

Experience in the development and verification of space hardware

Project support experience in a relevant domain

Experience with Space Engineering Standards and their preparation and implementation

Understanding of related technologies, R&D trends and the industrial landscape

Experience in the preparation of procurement activities for technology development and innovation (Statements of Work, proposal evaluation, etc.)

Experience in the management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in reviews

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

A master's in aeronautical or mechanical engineering is required for this post.
Applicants should have good knowledge of spacecraft, payload, equipment and mechanical systems, in particular with respect to space vehicle structures.
Good knowledge of advanced methods of structural design, development and verification (analysis and testing) of spacecraft, payloads, equipment and launchers is also required.

Additional requirements

Experience in the following areas would be an asset:

•   Experience in concept and early development activities for the Argonaut/EL3 mission.
•   Phase B/C/D spacecraft/payload structural hardware design, development and verification, including AIT and STM test experience.
•   Technical and contractual management of industry partners for the procurement (design, development and qualification) of spacecraft hardware including spacecraft structures, structural subsystems and related equipment.
•   Mechanical system engineering and interfaces with other spacecraft systems disciplines (including launcher interfaces).
•   Concurrent engineering, spacecraft conceptual/feasibility studies.

Other information

For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the ESA Competency Framework.

For further information please visit: Professionals, What we offer and FAQ

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 Agency may require applicants to undergo selection tests.

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 at contact.human.resources@esa.int.

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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, the United Kingdom and Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia.

According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States*. When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates and secondly to external candidates from under-represented Member States*.

In accordance with the European Space Agency’s security procedures and as part of the selection process, successful candidates will be required to undergo basic screening before appointment conducted by an external background screening service.

In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level.

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.