RAMS (Reliability, Availability, Maintainability and Safety) Engineer

Job Requisition ID: 18761

Date Posted: 28 June 2024

Application Deadline: 19 July 2024 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication: Internal & External

Type of Contract: Permanent

Directorate: Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality

Workplace: Noordwijk, NL

Grade Band: A2 - A4

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description
RAMS Engineer in the RAMS Section, Quality, Dependability and Product Assurance Support Division, Product Assurance and Safety Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

The RAMS Section is responsible for the development, implementation and maintenance of dependability and safety expertise and standards. The Section provides dependability support to all ESA projects, as well as safety support to ESA projects outside the domains of Human Space Applications, Space Debris Mitigation, Nuclear Power and Re-entry Safety. The section interfaces significantly with the Independent Safety Office which belongs to the same department.
The Section carries out technological research and development (R&D) in the fields of RAMS requirements, techniques, methodologies and tools. It also collaborates on standardisation and training activities.

Duties
Reporting to the Head of Section and within the technical fields described above, your main tasks and responsibilities will include:
• providing technical expertise to ESA projects in the field of reliability, availability, maintainability and safety (RAMS) throughout all project phases;
• participating in technical risk assessments of ESA missions during the conceptual design phase within the Concurrent Design Facility;
• actively contributing to the spacecraft safety submissions process in launch campaigns;
• collecting in-orbit data for the return of experience (REX) of ESA missions, liaising and maintaining synergy with systems and space operations teams (in particular the Directorate of Operations) for continuously improving and closing the gap between prediction and actual in-orbit operations, gathering lessons learned;
• defining, initiating and managing R&D activities covering long- and short-term ESA needs;
• providing technical expertise for the definition of technology development requirements and work plans for the Agency’s technology programmes;
• developing and maintaining ESA dependability and safety policies, requirements and standards;
• maintaining the Agency’s and industry’s technical competence through training, symposiums and workshops;
• monitoring applicable scientific and technological trends, maintaining state-of-the-art expertise;
• disseminating the results of activities performed and actively contributing to the transfer of knowledge across the Agency;
• contributing to the Divisional activities in the context of the ESA Mission Scheme.

Your duties may also include performing other activities within your field of competence.

Technical competencies
General background and specific experience in the technical domains covered by the position

Understanding of related technologies, R&D trends and the industrial landscape

Project support experience in a relevant domain

Experience in the management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in reviews

Experience with Space Quality Standards and their preparation and implementation

Experience with the application of RAMS tools and methods at System, Satellite or Payload level

Experience with provision of Dependability and Safety Trainings

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

Education
A master’s degree in engineering and a specialisation in RAMS discipline.

Additional requirements
• Experience in performing RAMS analyses: reliability and availability predictions, failure mode effects analysis (FMEA), fault tree analysis (FTA) and hazard analysis;
• Experience in performing other RAMS analyses (such as Petri-Nets, Markov graph or common cause analysis) would be an asset;
• Experience with the preparation or review of spacecraft safety data packages in the safety submission process of launch campaigns, and knowledge of Space Centre Safety Regulations would be an asset.
• You must be eligible for security clearance by your national security administration.

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, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged. 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 [email protected].

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 technology and hardware which is subject to European and US export control regulations & security clearance by their national security administrations.

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 can only be 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, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia.

When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates.

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.

Who we recruit »

Recruitment Process »

What we offer »

Life at ESA »

FAQ »

Apply now »