About this job

ESA is looking for a Flight Vehicle and Aerothermodynamics Engineer.

Description
Flight Vehicle and Aerothermodynamics Engineer in the Flight Vehicles and Aerothermodynamics Engineering Section in the Propulsion, Aerothermodynamics and Flight Vehicles Engineering Division, Mechanical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

The Flight Vehicles and Aerothermodynamics Engineering Section provides functional support to ESA projects and carries out technology R&D on flight vehicles, flight physics, aerodynamics, thermodynamics and fluid dynamics engineering and the architecture design and analysis of suborbital, (re-)entry, space transportation, and exploration vehicles. The Section is also the focal point for the architecture design, analysis and technical assessment of space transportation vehicles for suborbital, orbital and exploration applications, including upper stages, (re)-entry, and expendable and reusable vehicles.

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 on flight vehicle engineering and aerothermodynamics throughout all project phases;
• participating in feasibility studies, project reviews and the evaluation of procurement proposals;
• identifying critical development problems and assisting in their resolution;
• 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, with emphasis placed on innovative concepts, cutting-edge technologies and system architectures;
• laboratory activities as required;
• monitoring applicable scientific and technological trends and maintaining state-of-the-art expertise;
• contributing to dissemination of the results of activities performed and the transfer of knowledge across the Agency.

Your duties may also include supporting other activities within your area of competence.

Profile

Technical competencies
General background and specific experience in the technical domains covered by the position
Experience with the design, development and application of relevant tools and methods
Understanding of related technologies, R&D trends and the industrial landscape
Project support experience in a relevant domain
Spacecraft systems knowledge
Experience in the preparation of procurement activities for technology development and innovation (statements of work, proposal evaluation, etc)
Experience in managing and monitoring industrial activities, participation in reviews
Experience with Space Engineering Standards and their preparation and implementation

Education

A Master’s degree in aerospace, mathematics, mechanical engineering or physics is required. A PhD in one of these domains is considered an asset.

Additional requirements

Solid experience in the Section’s technical domains is required, as well as in the definition and specification of technology R&D activities.

In addition, you should have at least five years’ practical experience in the first of the following key design and technology development areas; at least five years’ practical experience in one or both of the others is desirable:

• Flight vehicle engineering on launcher, re-entry and space exploration projects;
• Aerothermodynamics analysis methodologies, as well as proven experience with engineering tools used for design and verification of space vehicles, with emphasis on the dynamic stability of re-entry vehicles;
• Aero-decelerators.

For a complete job description and to apply, click on “apply”.

The closing date for applications is 15 January 2021.

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.

——————————————————————————————————-

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 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. (https://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/careers/NationalityTargets.pdf)

We offer

The European Space Agency (ESA) is an equal opportunities employer that offers competitive salaries exempt from national income tax and excellent employment conditions, such as allowances for expatriates and relocation support.
For more information: http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA

About us

The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. ESA is an international organisation with 22 Member States. By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, it can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country.
Learn more: http://www.esa.int/