DirecciónEUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY
Young Graduate Trainee in Power Managementand Distribution
Young Graduate Opportunity in the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality
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, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.
This post is classified F1 on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale.
Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Our team and mission
The Power Management and Distribution section is a very lively, social and competent group of people, with a really great work atmosphere. YGTs, trainees and Research Fellows are fully integrated in the section and participate to all meetings. They have access to support from all members of the section as needed. The section takes care of:
- Power system architectures. Working on the optimum architecture definition and the overall sizing of the system, linking with the colleagues from the solar array and battery sections;
- Primary power system units. Working on the topologies and features of the main Power conversion units;
- Secondary power conversion. Working on DC/DC converters, control systems, protections, etc;
- Distribution system. Working on the safest and most efficient way to distribute protected power to all units;
- Technologies for power conversion. Working on the use of GaN and SiC switches, digital control, new topologies, etc.
Apart from the assigned tasks, YGTs and trainees are welcome to participate in any other activity going on in the section if they are particularly interested in them.
You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int
Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship
The proposed training project consists of the following tasks:
- Build generic simulation models of the main Power system types;
- Build generic 3D models of the most typical satellite configurations;
- Build a generic behavioural model of all power units;
- Build a generic functional model of all power units;
- Build and test a full power system architecture with the models developed;
- Develop an alternative power system sizing method to reduce sytem margins.
All activities that entail relevant breadboard realisation and test can be done in our lab.
For analyses, advanced model and simulation tools are available (ORCAD Cadence PSPICE, PSIM, Simetrix/Simplis, Matlab, Jupyter, Mathcad, EcosimPro. etc).
For breadboard and tests, relevant electrical/electronic components, tools and instrumentation are available in the labs (solar array simulators, power and signal generators, scopes, sensors, active and passive loads, network analyser, impedance test bridges, etc).
Technical competencies
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
Education
You should have just completed or be in the final year of your master’s degree in Electrical Engineering (or equivalent studies) including courses on Power Electronics.
Additional requirements
You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team.
It will also be an asset to have:
- Knowledge on Python programming, electrical simulation software and FPGA programming,
- Some experience in the laboratory building or testing power electronics circuits.
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.
During the interview motivation and overall professional perspective/career goals will also be explored.
Other information
For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the ESA Competency Framework.
For further information on the Young Graduate Programme please visit: Young Graduate Programme andFAQ Young Graduate Programme
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 email contact.human.resources@esa.int.
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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, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia, as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Cyprus as European Cooperating States (ECS).
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 candidates from under-represented Member States*.
In accordance with the European Space Agency’s security procedures and as part of the selection process, successful candidates will be required to undergo basic screening before appointment conducted by an external background screening service.
*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.
