DirecciónEUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY
Young Graduate Trainee in Systems Engineeringfor a Mars Precision Lander
Young Graduate Opportunity in the Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes
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
ExPeRT (Exploration Preparation, Research and Technology) is part of ESA’s Terrae Novae Exploration Programme. It integrates, coordinates, and manages the development of studies and technologies for future Exploration missions to low Earth orbit (LEO), Moon and Mars destinations.
In coordination with the Mars Exploration Group (HRE-M), the ExPeRT Team (HRE-E) conducts the assessment studies and technology preparation activities of ESA exploration missions in early phases (0, A, B1).
The exploration missions currently being prepared include missions to Mars, the Moon and LEO destinations. This post is to be situated within the Mars Exploration Study Team, where future Mars mission studies are undertaken.
You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int
Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship
A number of studies are planned for the coming 2 years both internally in the ESTEC Concurrent Design Facility (CDF) and external industrial Phase 0/A/B1 studies. A key theme for these studies will be on missions that involve advanced Entry Decent and Landing on the surface of Mars. In addition to working on a self-chosen topic of your choice, you will have the opportunity to directly support the future study activities that will be on-going or starting at the time of appointment.
Activities identified where you could play a role in maturing such concepts, while working alongside experienced engineers and scientists are:
- Early phase mission architecture design and trajectory analysis;
- Mission concept and mission profile trade-offs;
- Studies of advanced entry, descent and landing technologies and their impact on landing precision.
- Development of (study) tools to assess the entry descent and landing mission phase.
- Definition and/or review of payload, system and mission requirements;
- Analysis of spacecraft design and related system budgets;
- Studies of instrument accommodation at spacecraft level;
The precise area of work the candidate would undertake would be determined together with the candidate at the start of the traineeship and will depend on the Programme needs as well as the skill and interests of the candidate themselves. However, it is currently expected that the subject of system Engineering for advanced entry, descent and landing will be a core part of the work.
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 and engineering discipline.
Additional requirements
You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multi-cultural environment, both independently and as part of a team.
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
Applicants must be eligible to access technology and hardware which is subject to European and US export control regulations.
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.
