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Join the frontier of space exploration and innovation with ESA's Mechanisms Section
Overview
Salary
No salary declared 😔
Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Expires
Expires at anytime
Embark on a journey with the European Space Agency (ESA), an international pioneer in space exploration and technological advancement. ESA’s Mechanisms Section is integral to its cutting-edge projects, focusing on R&D in space mechanisms, tribology, pyrotechnics, and mechanical systems for satellites and launchers. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking space research and development.
- Continue the development of innovative isolation technology through hardware iterations and simulation models.
- Develop, build, and test new versions of the design.
- Conduct performance tests on existing breadboards, including in thermal and vacuum environments.
- Optimize the design using advanced multi-body simulation models.
- PhD in mechanical or aerospace engineering is required, preferably obtained within the last five years.
- Experience with space mechanisms and subsystems.
- Understanding of space tribology and compliant mechanisms.
- Design, development, and testing experience in the space or aeronautical industry.
- Proficiency in simulation software like MATLAB, Simulink, COMSOL, ANSYS, MSC ADAMS, or LabVIEW.
- Fluency in either English or French, with knowledge of another Member State language as a plus.
The Mechanisms Section provides functional support to ESA projects and carries out technological research and development (R&D) in the fields of space mechanisms (such as for deployment and pointing or hold-down and release, solar array drives, and reaction wheels), tribology, pyrotechnics, and space mechanical systems for satellites and launchers.
You will continue the development of this isolation technology by further iterating on existing hardware and simulation models. Furthermore, new versions of the design may be developed, built and tested. In particular, your research activities will be to: conduct additional performance tests on the existing full breadboard, including tests using realistic noise sources such as reaction wheels. conduct performance testing in a thermal or TVAC environment, either at full breadboard or strut level. test the magnetic performance of the existing design. perform optimisation studies using improved multi-body simulation models to determine optimal tuning of flexure stiffness, coil parameters, negative resistance circuit parameters, strut length, flexure spacing, etc.
You should have recently completed or be close to completing a PhD in mechanical or aerospace engineering. Preference will be given to applications submitted by candidates who have received their PhD within the past five years.
Additional requirements include experience with space mechanisms/mechanisms building blocks and related subsystems, as well as knowledge of space tribology and compliant mechanisms. Experience in the design, development and testing of mechanisms for space or aeronautical applications, and knowledge of simulation software (such as MATLAB, Simulink, COMSOL Multiphysics, ANSYS Maxwell, MSC ADAMS or LabVIEW) would be considered an asset.
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.
