Flight Vehicles & Reusable Elements Engineer

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.

This post is classified A2-A4 on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale.

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands, with resident assignment at HQ-Daumesnil, Paris, France

Description

As Flight Vehicles and Reusable Elements Engineer, you will report to the Head of the Flight Vehicles and Aerothermodynamics Section (parent organisation unit) in the Propulsion, Aerothermodynamics and Flight Vehicles Division , Mechanical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

For your first assignment as Flight Vehicles and Reusable Elements Engineer, you will be located at ESA HQ-Daumesnil and provide functional support to the FLPP (Future Launchers Preparatory Programme) Reusable Element in the Themis/Reusability for Space Transportation Unit (STS-FR) within the Future Space Transportation Preparation Department of the Directorate of Space Transportation.

The concept of space transportation reusability has grown in importance in the recent past and was endorsed at the ESA Council meeting at ministerial level in 2022. To further develop this vision and complete the roadmap towards reusability starting with access to space, scouting for new technologies will be required and additional demonstrations will be initiated within the Directorate of Space Transportation.

In this context, you will support the ramp-up of system and service-oriented projects to be implemented in the roadmap for future reusable space transportation preparation.

Duties

•   Providing technical expertise and analysis in the field of flight vehicle engineering and aerothermodynamics throughout all FLPP project phases, complemented with the support of the other technical experts from the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality;
•   Contributing to the elaboration of the mission profiles, supporting the preliminary system studies and the definition of the high-level requirements for the assigned reusable space transportation vehicle projects;
•   Drafting statements of work for the relevant FLPP flight vehicle activities, with internal support and technical assistance, and supporting the subsequent bidding process;
•   Participating in the evaluation of tender submissions, as well as the negotiation and implementation of the corresponding contracts, in collaboration with the Procurement Department and other relevant ESA departments;
•   Organising and supporting negotiations of the contracts with industry;
•   Supporting the management of the relevant contracted activities, including the assessment of deliverables, project reviews and the timely delivery of the developments;
•   Contributing to the drafting of relevant programmatic documents such as roadmaps, work plans, procurement proposals and programme proposals;
•   Assessing the needs and potential of new technologies for reusable space transportation from both within and beyond Europe;
•   Defining, initiating and managing research and development (R&D) activities in the various technical domains covering the intended demonstration scope;
•   Monitoring applicable scientific and technological trends and maintaining state-of-the-art expertise;
•   Defining, initiating and managing R&D activities covering both long- and short-term needs, with the support of the parent organisation unit;
•   Coordinating activities performed in collaboration with European industry and the academic world, promoting ESA’s activities to students, researchers and universities, while stimulating cross-fertilisation and new ideas;
•   Providing appropriate support to the FLPP Themis/Reusability for Space Transportation Programme Manager;
•   Providing support for Future Space Transportation Preparation technology and demonstration roadmaps in collaboration with the flagship demonstrator team, with respect to reusable system concept needs;
•   Communicating when relevant the outcome of technology maturations, internally at ESA and externally at workshops and conferences;
•   Preparing and organising required reviews/key points.

You will be assisted by project control, contracts, legal and quality staff and supported by engineers from the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality, as well as from national agencies within the FLPP Technical Assistance scheme.

Technical competencies

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

Multidisciplinary knowledge of mechanics, aerodynamics, trajectory, thermal analysis and materials, as relevant to your area of responsibility

Experience in Technology maturation projects

Knowledge of industrial costs and schedule aspects

Space Transportation system development and Product Assurance standards

Complex project risk management processes including RAMS

Knowledge of other technical domains interfacing with your area of responsibility

Ability to interact with the European space industry

Knowledge of ESA and industrial development, verification and procurement processes

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation

Operational Efficiency

Fostering Cooperation

Relationship Management

Continuous Improvement

Forward Thinking

Education

A master's in an engineering discipline with experience in the space sector is required.
Good knowledge of and experience with the technical development of space transportation systems and associated innovative technologies: launcher, in-orbit transportation system and orbital transfer vehicle technologies, with a focus on reusability.

Additional requirements

•   Strong experience in space transportation project engineering, with several years of experience in the space sector.
•   Technical knowledge of launcher systems and innovative technologies with a particular focus on reusable space transportation.
•   Past experience in an innovative development using Agile development methodology would be a plus.
•   Competence in establishing technology roadmaps and technology maturation projects, and experience of academic and public/private space transportation R&D would be an asset;
•   Knowledge of technical domains and related R&D trends in industry;
•   Demonstrated project technical lead experience;
•   Demonstrated negotiating skills;
•   Experience in motivating and developing a multidisciplinary team including non-ESA staff and trainees;
•   The ability to manage multiple team locations would be an asset for the position;
•   The ability to work autonomously in an international environment, anticipate problems and reach solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions of a high standard and integrity, as well as the capacity to support others (team members, upper management and other stakeholders) in this process.

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.

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

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 email 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.