Intern in the Space Transportation Infrastructure Project Management section

Internship Opportunity in the Directorate of Space Transportation.

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.

Location

This position is based at the ESA HQ - Paris, France

The Space Transportation Infrastructure Project Management section manages all 20.000 Space Transportation assets in close alignment with development teams and Fixed Asset Operators. Moreover, the division is responsible for the identification and implementation of Ariane 6 & P120C process improvement activities in view of implementing a end-to end fully digitalized and intelligent automated Manufacturing, Assembly, Integration, Test of our European Launchers. 

It is responsible for:

• Identifying & deploying Ariane 6 Transition Programme process improvements with the objective of reducing the manufacturing recurring costs, improving the lead time and implementing relevant measures to increase sustainability
• Collecting, assessing and summing up information on trends related to technical infrastructure and sustainability;
• Deploying suitable Industry 4.0, smart digital manufacturing and additive manufacturing;
• Identifying cost drivers, critical processes, critical assets and improvements measures in cooperation with all STS departments; 
• Coordinating with stakeholders across ESA to maximise the take-up of effective green technologies;
• Developing and maintaining a dashboard with Asset KPIs, and GHG impact to meet the targets established by Agenda 2025;
• Supporting reviews of technical infrastructures and development of optimisation targets;
• Customizating, configuration and deployment of InforEAM (Fixed Asset Management Tool used by STS) by an Agile project team. Managing the transfer and remodelling of data according to the new Fixed asset management policy. 
• Monitoring the implementation of the new Agency’s assets management policy;
• Assessing technically the needs for extraordinary maintenance, the costs of extraordinary maintenance activities and the consequences on exploitation of modifications to the assets;
• Accepting the inclusion of new ESA-owned assets within the database of ESA-owned assets developed under space transportation programmes and activities and provide the Operating Planning & Business Unit Controlling Office with the relevant inputs for financial reporting on the assets;
• Conducting negotiations and administration of the industrial contracts in its perimeter;
• Providing technical support to the Space Transportation Development Department, the Ariane Exploitation Programme and the Vega Exploitation Programme for all matters related to launchers ground segment assets development, acceptance, operations, maintenance, modifications and disposal.
  

For further information visit our web site: http://www.esa.int

You can choose between the following topics:

1) Topic 1:

Asses the feasibility of tagging the different Space Transportation Fixed Assets (production means, test benches, transport means, buildings) with RFID labels, including the data transfer to the STS asset management system (EAM):

• Determine the performance requirements for RFID tags, such as read range, durability,…
• Estimate the costs associated with RFID implementation, including hardware (tags, readers), software, integration, training, and ongoing maintenance
• Evaluate the technical feasibility of RFID tagging based on factors such as the physical characteristics of assets, the presence of metal or other materials that may interfere with RFID signals, and environmental conditions
• Ensure that RFID tagging practices comply with relevant regulations and standards – this includes exchanging with various internal and external stakeholders involved in the manufacturing, integration and testing of Ariane 6, P120C and Vega C
• Assess the compatibility of RFID technology with existing asset management systems
• Support the categorisation of assets in critical & strategic assets
• Propose which assets shall be equipped in addition to the RFID tags with further sensors to enable predictive maintenance functionalities
• Implement the RFID Pilot Program
• Establish Implementation Plan and Timeline to deploy the RFID tags on all 20.000 Fixed Assets

2) Topic 2:

Support the selection and implementation of best practises and advanced technologies to optimise the asset management activities, reduce costs and increase efficiency. 

• Identifying and implementing relevant state of the art technologies such as digital twins, predictive maintenance, applying Artificial Intelligence for e.g. in the inspection of the produced good on the Fixed Assets.
• Proposing relevant measures to reduce the asset management life cycle costs.
• Assess current regulations on carbon footprint 
• Perform a benchmark analysis if different CO2 trends 
• Proposing relevant measures to increase the sustainability of the European infrastructure and decrease the carbon footprint.

Main asset management activities are:

• Acceptance of new Space Transportation Fixed Assets
• Acceptance of upgrades and modifications on existing Fixed Assets
• Physical inspections 
• Assets reportings

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

You must have student status and be enrolled at university for the entire duration of the internship. You should preferably be in your final or second to last year of a university course at master’s level in a technical or scientific discipline.

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.

Additional Requirements:

• Knowledge and background in Political Science, Strategy studies, Economy, as well as in the structure of the organisation is an asset

Other information

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

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, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia, as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Cyprus as European Cooperating States (ECS).