Nuclear Power Engineer

Updated: about 1 year ago
Deadline: The position may have been removed or expired!

Vacancy in the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

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
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands  


Description

Nuclear Power Engineer in the Energy Storage Section, Power Systems, EMC and Space Environments Division, Electrical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

The Energy Storage Section provides functional support to ESA projects and carries out technological research (R&D) in the fields of energy storage – typically primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells and supercapacitors – and nuclear power sources for space applications.

The ESA nuclear power sources development activities, including the EuropeaN Devices Using Radioisotope Energy (ENDURE) programme, encompass short- and medium-term objectives in the field of radioisotope heat sources and radioisotope electrical generators. Longer-term technology studies will include fission reactor systems for the provision of power and propulsion. This set of technologies calls for associated technical competencies, including:   

  • nuclear physics and nuclear process engineering, particularly reactor-based isotope generation, fuel production and reprocessing and actinide chemical separation; 
  • materials science and engineering in nuclear ceramics, refractory metals and the welding process; 
  • power conversion (heat to electrical), including thermoelectrics and thermodynamic heat engines (e.g. Stirling); 
  • nuclear fission reactors, particularly high-temperature and compact core variants. 


While the vacancy is open within the Energy Storage Section, if selected for this position, you will also work in close collaboration with other units in the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality and with other ESA directorates, in particular the Directorates of Human and Robotic Exploration, Science, and Space Transportation, to support ESA’s nuclear power source development activities.


Duties

Reporting to the Head of Section and 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 nuclear power systems 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;
  • fostering new application areas for multidisciplinary activities, placing emphasis on innovative concepts, cutting-edge technologies and system architectures;
  • supporting ground nuclear safety and risk analysis for space missions using nuclear sources in compliance with national and international regulations, policies and procedures; 
  • 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

Understanding of related technologies, R&D trends and the industrial landscape

Project support experience in a relevant domain

Spacecraft systems knowledge

Experience in the preparation of procurement activities for technology development and innovation (Statements of Work, proposal evaluation, etc.)

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


Education


A Master’s degree in an engineering or applicable scientific discipline 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.     

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 or balanced 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. 

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.

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.



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