Space Rider System Engineer

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This is a fixed-term appointment with an initial duration of 4 years. Depending upon performance and organisational needs, the appointment may be extended up to a possible maximum duration of 8 years.

Location
ESRIN, Frascati, Italy

Description

Space Rider System Engineer in the Space Rider Space Segment of the Space Rider Programme, Flight Programmes Department, Directorate of Space Transportation.

In your role as Space Rider System Engineer, you will report directly to the Space Rider Space Segment Manager, and you will contribute to the follow-up and coordination of Space Rider system engineering activities across the project lifecycle. Your role will involve supporting space segment system-level analyses, interface harmonisation and verification activities, as well as the consolidation of end-to-end system performance, orbital and re-entry module aspects and the related ground and post-flight activities.

You will be fully integrated into the Space Rider project team, interacting closely with the various engineering disciplines involved. You will also operate within the Vega and Space Rider Integrated Project Team, contributing to the coherence of system, subsystem and ground-related activities.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• contributing to the follow-up of Space Rider system activities, including the identification of project criticalities and the definition of system optimisations in support of successful mission implementation;
• providing technical support to the harmonisation and verification of interfaces between the space segment and the payload aggregate, ground segment, launch system and landing site, ensuring overall system coherence;
• supporting the definition, development and qualification activities of the multi-purpose cargo bay, including contributions to the consolidation of the payload aggregate throughout the design and qualification loop;
• supporting the development and qualification of avionics equipment, including solar arrays, and contributing to system budgets, guidance, navigation and control (GNC) analyses and architecture trade-offs at system level;
• supporting the verification activities of attitude and orbital control systems, including the integration of GNC sensors and actuators within hardware-in-the-loop and avionics test bench environments;
• contributing to the follow-up of the electrical power subsystem development, including solar arrays and solar array drive mechanisms, covering requirements flow-down, qualification testing, procurement milestones and related assessments;
• contributing to the assessment of AVUM Orbital Module/Re-entry Module end-to-end system engineering aspects, including mission and visibility analyses, trajectories, aerodynamics and aerothermodynamics, thermal and structural aspects, and flying qualities;
• supporting the consolidation of the AVUM Orbital Module/Re-entry Module end-to-end system synthesis, including performance, system budgets and margins, and the coherence of internal and external interfaces;
• supporting the development, integration and qualification of ground support equipment, in particular the mobile hangar dedicated to post-flight activities on the re-entry module at the landing site, including interface definition and operational considerations;
• providing support in the mechanical domain for avionics equipment and associated damping systems during key development and qualification milestones;
• supporting the development, design and qualification activities of mechanical and mechanism subsystems, including the assessment of related thermal aspects;
• assisting line management with activities related to regular reporting to upper management.

Technical competencies

Experience in system engineering activities for complex space missions, including the definition, development and implementation of end-to-end space systemsExperience in the design, development, qualification, verification and testing of space segment systems and equipment for launcher systems and/or orbital platforms and/or re-entry systemsExperience in supporting system-level analyses, including performance, budgets, margins and interface definition and verificationExperience in the preparation, coordination and carrying out of major ESA reviews related to the development and qualification of space systemsKnowledge of avionics, attitude and orbital control systems, guidance, navigation and control, electrical power subsystems and associated verification environments, including hardware-in-the-loop and test benches, at system or subsystem levelFamiliarity with ground support equipment development and operations, including interface aspects with space systems and post-flight activities

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking

For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

Education and professional experience

A master's degree in engineering or a related discipline is required for this post together 4 years of relevant professional experience.

Additional requirements

• Technical knowledge of space transportation systems, including re-entry vehicles;
• Technical knowledge of system engineering principles and related disciplines, with demonstrated expertise in the following domains: structures and avionics;
• Demonstrated experience in project development activities, including the preparation and carrying out of ESA reviews;
• Familiarity with ECSS standards and their application to the development, verification and qualification of space systems at system and subsystem level;
• Familiarity with materials and processes applicable to space transportation systems, including considerations related to reusability, refurbishment and operability of re-entry vehicles;
• Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary project teams and to interface with a wide range of technical stakeholders.

In addition, you should have the following:

• Excellent cognitive, analytical, planning and organisational skills;
• The ability to anticipate problems, solve complex issues and relate situations to their context;
• The ability to reach solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions of high standard and integrity.

Previous experience of working on the Space Rider project would be considered an asset.

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.

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.