About this job

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

The Section provides functional support to ESA projects and carries out technological research (R&D) in the field(s) of: space mechanisms (such as for deployment and pointing or hold-down and release, solar array drives, and reaction wheels), tribology, pyrotechnics, and space mechanical systems for satellites and launchers.

Responsibilities

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

• providing expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects, programmes and general studies in the field of mechanisms throughout all project phases;
• participating in feasibility studies, project reviews and evaluation of procurement proposals;
• identifying critical development problems and assisting in their resolution, as well as assessing mechanisms development and verification test programmes;
• contributing to the definition of technology development requirements and work plans for the Agency’s technology programmes;
• defining, initiating and managing R&D activities covering both long- and short-term needs;
• fostering new application areas for multidisciplinary activities, placing emphasis on innovative concepts, cutting-edge technologies and system architectures;
• defining relevant infrastructure requirements in terms of testing, standards and numerical simulation;
• hands-on laboratory activities as required;
• monitoring applicable scientific and technological trends and maintaining state-of-the-art expertise;
• contributing to the dissemination of the results of the activities performed and the transfer of knowledge across the Agency.

Duties may also include supporting other activities within your field of competence.

Profile

Technical competencies

• General background and specific experience in the technical domains covered by the position
• Experience in the development and verification of space hardware
• Experience in the preparation of procurement activities for technology development and innovation (statements of work, proposal evaluation, etc)
• Project support experience in a relevant domain
• Hands-on laboratory experience
• Experience in the management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in reviews
• Experience with Space Engineering Standards and their preparation and implementation

Behavioural competencies

• Communication
• Teamwork
• Innovation & Creativity
• Results Orientation
• Planning & Organisation
• Continuous Learning

Education

A Master’s degree in mechanical or aeronautical engineering or a similar field is required.

Additional requirements

• Experience with space mechanisms/mechanisms building blocks and related subsystems is required, as is knowledge of space tribology.
• Some years of experience in the design, development and testing of mechanisms for space or aeronautical applications and knowledge in simulation software (e.g. MATLAB, Simulink, COMSOL Multiphysics, FLUX 2D/3D, Ansys Maxwell, MSC Adams, LabVIEW) will be considered an asset.