Facility Development and Utilisation Engineer, Noordwijk, Netherlands 217 views

EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY Vacancy in the Directorate of Human & Robotic Exploration Programmes.

ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. Applications from women are encouraged.

Post Facility Development and Utilisation Engineer This post is for a limited duration of 4 years (non-renewable) and is classified in the A2-A4 grade band of the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale.

Location ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands with a resident assignment to EAC, Cologne, Germany

Description

You will report to the ExPeRT team Leader (Exploration, Preparation, Research and Technology), Exploration Group, Directorate of Human Spaceflight & Robotic Exploration, while functionally reporting to the ISS Operations & Astronaut Group management team.

With the increasing focus on lunar exploration, lunar analogues are and continue to be valuable tools that can support the development, validation and demonstration of enabling technologies and operational concepts for exploration, as well as being valuable training facilities. Artificial analogue facilities, such as the Luna facility located at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, will be critical in preparing for renewed human exploration of the lunar environment.

You will be responsible for the development of the Luna facility, through its final construction and into its initial operational stages. You will focus on its outfitting and utilisation, including establishing the operational framework necessary to maximise its potential as an analogue test facility for ESA. You will engage with ESA and associated stakeholders, research institutes and commercial entities wishing to avail themselves of the facility, promoting its utilisation and supporting the running of activities there.

Duties

Specific duties include:

• developing the operational concept for the utilisation of the Luna facility, in collaboration with ESA and associated stakeholders;
• successfully managing all Luna utilisation activities in accordance with their declared objectives, including managing the day-to-day running;
• supporting end-to-end implementation of Luna project activities encompassing facility construction, development and outfitting;

• Tags

  development projects

  procurement

  project management

  space exploration

• actively following up opportunities for development and utilisation of the facility with ESA stakeholders, research and commercial entities;
• promoting the facility to exploration stakeholders, raising awareness of it and attracting relevant projects;
• actively liaising with research & development projects involving Luna;
• supporting the establishment of relevant ESA requirements, specifications and general documentation relating to Luna;

Technical competencies

Knowledge of the ESA and global space exploration plans and programmes

Experience in driving R&D activities, as well as knowledge of the ESA technology programmes

Experience in procurement, project management, reviews and milestone achievement

Experience with laboratory or field testing of relevant technical equipment

Behavioural competencies

Communication

Results Orientation

Planning & Organisation

Teamwork

Relationship Management

Education

A Master’s degree or equivalent qualification in engineering is required.

Additional requirements

You should have demonstrable experience in R&D activities and project management. Experience with analogue activities or relevant test campaigns is considered an asset. Operational spaceflight experience would be advantageous. Strong teamwork skills. Ability to work effectively, autonomously and cooperatively in a multidisciplinary and international team. Ability to cope with pressure and deadlines. Proactive attitude to problem-solving and interest in innovative technologies.

Other information For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the ESA Competency Framework.

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.

The Agency may require applicants to undergo selection tests.

In view of the limited duration of this post, internal candidates are strongly advised to contact their HR advisor before applying.

The closing date for applications is 03 January 2020. If you require support with your application due to a disability, please email [email protected]

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Please note that applications are only 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 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 be given to external candidates from under-represented Member States. ( http://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/careers/NationalityTargets.pdf)

In accordance with the European Space Agency’s security procedures and as part of the selection process, successful candidates will be required to undergo basic screening before appointment.

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.