Space Debris Mitigation and Re-entry Safety Engineer

Job Requisition ID: 18654

Date Posted: 24 April 2024

Application Deadline: 15 May 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
Space Debris Mitigation and Re-entry Safety Engineer in the Independent Safety Office, Product Assurance and Safety Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

The Independent Safety Office is responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, maintenance and certification of compliance with ESA policies, requirements and standards, as well as providing the related support to ESA projects in:
• human spaceflight safety
• space debris mitigation
• re-entry safety
• nuclear safety for applications in space
• planetary protection.

Duties
You will report to the Head of the Independent Safety Office within the technical fields described above, and your main tasks and responsibilities will include:

• updating the ESA Space Debris Mitigation Policy, maintaining the space debris mitigation compliance verification guidelines and related requirements, and overseeing their implementation;
• supporting the Head of the Independent Safety Office on matters related to space debris mitigation;
• providing technical expertise and interacting with relevant European and international partner space agencies and international bodies for the definition of space debris mitigation and re-entry safety rules and processes;
• providing technical expertise and consultancy on ESA projects as regards compliance with the technical requirements related to ESA policy on space debris mitigation and re-entry safety;
• leading the independent evaluation of compliance of ESA missions with the ESA Space Debris Mitigation Policy, statutory requirements and international obligations;
• advising the Head of the Independent Safety Office on the implications of programmatic decisions involving risks to compliance with space debris mitigation and re-entry safety requirements;
• providing technical expertise on the maintenance and development of ECSS standards related to space debris mitigation and re-entry safety;
• providing technical expertise, for ESA’s Technology Programmes, on the definition of technology development requirements and work plans related to space debris mitigation and re-entry safety, in close cooperation with the Lead Engineers in your Directorate;
• monitoring applicable scientific and technological trends, and maintaining state-of-the-art expertise in space debris mitigation and re-entry safety issues;
• regular reporting at ESA corporate and programme level on compliance with the ESA space debris mitigation and re-entry safety requirements;
• keeping abreast of technologies and methodologies related to space debris mitigation, reliability predictions and safety.

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

Experience in the domain of space debris mitigation and re-entry safety, as well as the related regulatory framework

Knowledge of ESA space debris mitigation and re-entry safety requirements

Knowledge of probabilistic risk assessment methods and advanced methods for reliability predictions

Understanding of space debris mitigation-related technologies, R&D trends and the industrial landscape

Project support experience in the space debris mitigation and re-entry safety domain

Knowledge of spacecraft systems

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

Education
A master’s in engineering or a related scientific discipline is required.

Additional requirements
Knowledge of ESA space debris mitigation and re-entry safety requirements and experience with their implementation.

Excellent written and oral communication skills.

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
Recruitment will normally be at the first grade in the band (A2); however, if the candidate selected has little or no experience, the position may be filled at A1 level.

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.

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