Space Debris Mitigation Engineer

A Joint Venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), Thales Alenia Space is a global space manufacturer delivering, for more than 40 years, high-tech solutions for telecommunications, navigation, Earth Observation, environmental management, exploration, science and orbital infrastructures. Thanks to our diversity of skills, talents and cultures, our customers (governments, institutions, space agencies, telecommunications operators), therefore have Space to Connect, Secure & Defend, Observe & Protect, Explore, Travel & Navigate.

We are looking for a Space Environment and Effects Engineer-

Radiation, Plasma & Debris Unit

Analysis of space missions and relevant space environment (e.g. Space Debris, Meteoroids, Radiation, Plasma, Dust, Vacuum, Atomic Oxygen, UV, Aero-thermal loads, etc.) effects on complex spacecraft with 3D mathematical and geometrical models.

Space environment characteristics definition, effects evaluation and relevant specifications.

Definition of solutions and countermeasures to cope with the space environment conditions and support to system and subsystem design specification and implementation.

In particular, the activities will focus on:

• Provide assessments for space debris mitigation aspects (e.g., micrometeoroids and debris impacts, re-entry risk, orbital lifetime, collision avoidance, etc.) on space missions
• Define system level and lower-tier specifications
• Support system, subsystem and equipment design

The candidate shall operate inside a Space Environment system engineering team supporting system level projects and shall interface with the Agencies and Customers. Good communication skills, pro-active attitude in facing and solving problems and inclination to team working are required.

Key duties:

• Act as member of the Space Environments for Space Radiation, Plasma and Debris (as well as Meteoroids, Dust, Vacuum Testing, Destructive Debris Re-entry, Atomic Oxygen) aspects.
• Analyze space environment characteristics and relevant requirements for specific mission with associated constraints and threats to the spacecraft
• Perform evaluations and analyses of space environment effects on complex space systems by means of both simplified assessments and set-up of 3D mathematical / geometrical models using specific analyses tools
• Define detailed Space Environment system and lower-tier requirements and specifications.
• Devise mitigation and design solutions to meet the Customer needs
• Support system and subsystem activities to draft detailed specifications and detailed design implementation.
• Follow-on of sub-Contractors activities.
• Support verification ad validation activities both at subsystem and system level.
• Support Quality Assurance activities for discussion and disposition of NCRs during manufacturing, integration and testing activities.
• Interface with Project Teams and Customers.

Skills, experience and qualifications required:

• Master degree in Aerospace Engineering or Physics.
• Ability to work with flexibility in a multidisciplinary team with a continuous learning attitude
• Fluent English (listening, reading, speaking and writing)
• Knowledge of mission analysis and space debris issues
• Knowledge of Monte Carlo methods
• Knowledge of CAD tools and modelling tools
• Knowledge of computational languages (in particular Fortran, C/C++, LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python)
• Knowledge of Space Debris Tools (e.g. DRAMA, DEBRISK, DAS, etc. ) is a plus.

At Thales Alenia Space we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales Alenia Space employing around 8,900 employees in 10 countries with 17 sites in Europe and a plant in the US, our mobility policy enables employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad. Thales Alenia Space sees space as a new horizon, helping to build a better, more sustainable life on Earth #SpaceForLife. Great journeys start here, apply now!