AOCS and Pointing Systems Engineer

Position: AOCS and Pointing Systems Engineer (3 Positions)
Location

ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

This vacancy is published to recruit for either: an appointment of 4 years, extendable to an indefinite duration; or a fixed-term appointment with an initial duration of 4 years that depending on performance and organisational needs, may be extended up to a maximum total duration of 8 years.

Description

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

The AOCS and Pointing Architecture Section provides functional support for space missions in the domains of Earth observation, science, and resilience, navigation and connectivity.

The 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, autonomy and process.

Duties

Reporting to the Head of Section, 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 design and verification, including AOCS applicative software and FDIR, as well as AOCS equipment procurement) throughout all project phases;
participating in feasibility studies, project reviews and the 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 testing of AOCS products and 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

Result Orientation

Operational Efficiency

Fostering Cooperation

Relationship Management

Continuous Improvement

Forward Thinking

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

Education And Professional Experience

A master's degree in control engineering and/or aerospace engineering is required for this post together with a minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience.

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 those with expertise in two or more of the following areas relating to the position:

AOCS subsystem architecture, design, testing and verification, including control algorithm design and tuning, analysis and simulation
AOCS modelling and software, including automatic code generation, hardware and spacecraft avionics
Pointing error engineering
Advanced control, optimisation and estimation techniques
Smallsat and nanosat AOCS
Laboratory facility or hands-on hardware (including integration) experience
Artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques for AOCS applications and engineering

Your motivation for supporting engineering laboratory activities and for proposing new R&D activities will be considered in the selection process.

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, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.

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 an.resources.

Important Information and Disclaimer

In principle, recruitment…