Mission Analyst

Vacancy in the Directorate of Operations.

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.

This post is classified A2-A4 on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale .

Location
ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany  

Mission Analyst in the Mission Analysis Section, Flight Dynamics Division, Ground Systems Engineering and Innovation Department, Directorate of Operations.

The Mission Analysis Section is the solution architect in respect of future terrestrial, lunar, minor-body and interplanetary missions, as well as scientific missions to other planets or missions in Libration Points. The emphasis is on trajectory optimisation and attitude-related aspects, and on providing solutions for the spacecraft itself, the ground segment design and operations preparations.

Reporting to the Head of Section, you will participate in and organise mission analysis activities referenced above. You will need the ability to supervise and develop complex software tools to enable the required analysis activities.

Your tasks include, among others, transfer and operational orbit analysis and related fields, such as trading off orbit selection, optimising low/high-thrust propulsion trajectories including surface descent and ascent, parametric optimisation taking different configurations into account, computing atmospheric entry trajectories and launch windows, propellant budget analysis, predicting orbit-derived data, orbit determination and navigation analysis, planetary protection, space debris mitigation, analysing satellite constellations for various purposes and formation flight. 

Finding innovative solutions to new and old problems and a good understanding of future technologies are central to the work of the Department, and you should be open-minded, technically well informed and pro-active in identifying cutting-edge solutions. 

While knowledge in most of the areas is considered an asset it is acknowledged that many of them already require a specialisation and it is not a requirement to cover all of them.

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• performing and coordinating mission analysis activities and providing mission analysis solutions for projects, mission studies and industrial partners;
• interfacing with other entities in the space mission design process, such as the customer, for example scientists, European space industry, flight dynamics and operations teams, sub-system engineers, for example in the communications, electrical, thermal and propulsion engineering domains, the Space Debris Office and the Planetary Protection Office;
• developing and maintaining generic mission analysis methods and software and participating in the development of generic flight dynamics software;
• developing project-specific mission analysis tools;
• technical leadership of mission analysis work packages carried out by on- and off-site service teams provided by the Agency’s industrial partners;
• specifying and managing study and development contracts with academia and European industry;
• representing the Agency in relevant areas in committees and at conferences;
• supporting projects by participating in tender evaluations and reviews of industrial contracts;
• supporting the Head of Section in the introduction of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence applications, model-based systems engineering or quantum computing.

Trajectory design and analysis using low- and high-thrust propulsion systems

Global and local optimisation methods

Navigation accuracy analysis

Mathematical software development

Flight Dynamics operations preparation

Flight Dynamics operations execution

Fundamentals of space systems engineering

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

A Master's degree in engineering, physics or mathematics is required for this post.

Other information

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

For further information please visit: Professionals , What we offer  and FAQ    

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.     

Applicants must be eligible to access technology and hardware which is subject to European and US export control regulations.

The Agency may require applicants to undergo selection tests.

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 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, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia 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 first be given to internal candidates and secondly to external candidates from under-represented Member States *.  

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 conducted by an external background screening service. 

In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level. 

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.