Young Graduate Trainee in Thermal Analysis and Verification

Young Graduate Opportunity 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 F1 on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale .

Location

ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands 

The Thermal Division is the centre of competence of the Agency in all areas related to thermal engineering, covering development (R&D), design and verification. Within this frame, the Thermal Control Section is in charge of all thermal control aspects for the support to projects and the development of thermal hardware technologies, and the Thermal Analysis & Verification Section is the focal point for analysis methodologies, software tools and experimental/test services executed in the Mechanical Systems Laboratory.

You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int

For more information: http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Engineering_Technology/Thermal_Control

1. Thermal Design & Analysis: Perform thermal design and associated analysis, including steady state/transient analyses of instrument and satellites following familiarization with project requirements and Agency’s tools (ESATAN-TMS). This may also include in-flight correlation of thermal analysis models for ESA projects.

2. Thermal Analysis methods: Research and development in the area of computational methods for space thermal analysis or multi-disciplinary analysis e.g.:

• Methods and tools for exchange of thermal analysis data with other disciplines such as structures (e.g. development of SINAS);
• Co-simulation of thermal analysis models with other domains such as power or fluidics;
• Next generation methods for radiative, fluidic or thermal analysis;
• Methods for improved tool-to-tool data exchange within the thermal domain (development of STEP-TAS).

3. Analysis methods in support of testing activities: real time model correlation or identification of discrepancies between model and test data, analysis methods for new test instrumentation such as infra-red cameras, data fusion of thermal analysis and test data, modelling of gas convection for cleanroom testing.

4. Mechanical Systems Laboratory: Participation in the testing activities of the laboratory including evaluation of test data. Participate to the development and acceptance of new test facilities, e.g. thermal cycling, Coefficient of Thermal Expansion.

Knowledge of relevant technical domains

Relevant experience gained during internships/project work

Breadth of exposure coming from past and/or current research/activities

Knowledge of ESA and its programmes/projects

Result Orientation

Operational Efficiency

Fostering Cooperation

Relationship Management

Continuous Improvement

Forward Thinking

You should have just completed or be in the final year of your master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Physics.

You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team.

Specific required knowledge and interest are different, depending on the field of activity selected:
1. Physics, thermal / mechanical engineering university degree or equivalent, with basic knowledge of thermodynamics, radiative and conductive heat transfer, cryogenics, fluid/thermal simulations, computer systems.
2. and 3. Thermal/mechanical engineering with basic knowledge of thermal analysis, numerical methods and software engineering.
4. Experimental physics / instrumentation / measurement or mechanical engineering.

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.

During the interview motivation and overall professional perspective/career goals will also be explored.

Other information

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

For further information on the Young Graduate Programme please visit: Young Graduate Programme andFAQ Young Graduate Programme

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, 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).

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 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. 

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.