Noordwijk, NL
Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
As Electric Propulsion Engineer, you will report to the Head of the Electric Propulsion Section, under the Propulsion, Aerothermodynamics, and Flight Vehicles Engineering Division, Mechanical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.
Your role will encompass technology research and development (R&D) and project support in the field of electric propulsion. You will be expected to undertake the technical support activities for ESA projects and to lead ESA R&D contracts, with a particular emphasis on innovative technologies, currently envisaged for application on planned ESA missions, e.g. micro-propulsion for drag-free and flight formation, propulsion for LEO constellations, navigation, Earth observation and telecommunications missions and high-power propulsion for interplanetary missions.
In addition, you will be in charge of managing test activities at the ESA Propulsion Laboratory, reporting to the Head of the Electric Propulsion Section and Laboratory Manager.
The Electric Propulsion Section is responsible for architecture, engineering, research and development and testing of electric propulsion systems for all space vehicles dedicated to Earth observation, navigation, telecommunications, science and exploration missions and space safety, together with related IOD/IOV mission space vehicles. The Electric Propulsion Section (TEC-MPE) is responsible for conveying its technical domain contribution to system engineering, operations engineering and multi-disciplinary technological developments.
In addition, the Section supports technology harmonisation and leads the definition of the technology development roadmaps for future activities.
You will report to the Head of Section, and in the above technical areas, your main tasks and responsibilities will include:
provision of expert technical support to projects
definition, initiation and management of R&D activities
test management
Your duties may also include performing other activities within your field of competence.
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook
Master’s in a relevant domain, either aerospace or mechanical engineering or physics, together with at least 10 years of relevant professional experience.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness
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, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.
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 via email at contact.human.resources@esa.int.
Important Information and Disclaimer
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.
Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations & eligible to acquire the security clearance by their national security administrations.
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.
Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.
The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.
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, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.
According to the ESA Convention, staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the Member States.
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.
