AOCS and Pointing Systems Engineer

Job Requisition ID: 19185

Date Posted: 27 November 2024

Application Deadline: 18 December 2024 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication: Internal & External

Type of Contract: Permanent

Directorate: Technology, Engineering and Quality

Workplace: Noordwijk, NL

Grade Band: A2 - A4

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description
AOCS and Pointing Systems Engineer in the AOCS and Pointing Systems Section, GNC, AOCS and Pointing Division, Electrical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

The AOCS and Pointing Systems Section provides functional support for space missions in the domains of Earth observation, navigation, science, telecommunications and integrated applications.

The AOCS and Pointing Systems Section carries out technological research and development, harmonisation and standardisation in the field of AOCS and pointing, with a focus on subsystem competitiveness, improvement and innovation for performance, robustness and process.

Duties
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 in the field of AOCS and pointing systems (AOCS architecture, AOCS design and verification, including AOCS applicative software and AOCS fault detection isolation and recovery , and AOCS equipment procurement) throughout all project phases;
• participating in feasibility studies, project reviews and 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, and addressing AOCS enabling and enhancing concepts and advanced control techniques;
• fostering new application areas for multidisciplinary activities, placing emphasis on innovative concepts, cutting-edge technologies and system architectures;
• laboratory activities for the evaluation and prototyping of new AOCS solutions;
• monitoring applicable scientific and technological trends and maintaining state-of-the-art expertise;
• contributing to the dissemination of the results of the activities performed and the transfer of knowledge across the Agency.

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

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

Hands-on experience

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

Behavioural competencies
Results Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking

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

Education
A master’s degree in control engineering and/or aerospace engineering is required.

Additional requirements
You should have at least five years’ experience in the development of satellite AOCS subsystems and in the procurement engineering of a range of AOCS hardware units.

Preference will be given to candidates with strong expertise in two or more of the following areas related to the position:

• AOCS subsystem architecture, design, testing and verification (including control design algorithms, analysis and simulation)
• Pointing error engineering
• Smallsat and nanosat AOCS
• Advanced control, optimisation and estimation techniques
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques for AOCS applications and engineering
• AOCS modelling, AOCS software, AOCS hardware and spacecraft avionics

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.

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*.

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.

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.

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