ESA Graduate Trainee in CubeSat Systems Engineering

Job Requisition ID: 19371

Date Posted: 1 February 2025

Application Deadline: 28 February 2025 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication: External Only

Type of Contract: ESA Graduate Trainee

Directorate: Technology, Engineering and Quality

Workplace: Noordwijk, NL

Grade Band: F1 - F1

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Our team and mission
The CubeSat Systems Unit in the Technology In-Orbit Demonstration & Validation Division, Systems Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering & Quality, is responsible for the project management and system engineering of CubeSat nano- & micro-satellite missions for the In-Orbit Demonstration (IOD) of new miniaturised technologies, proof of concepts and capabilities at low-cost and rapid schedule. The Unit also provides technical support to ESA Programme Directorates as required in the area of CubeSat systems, defines and coordinates a roadmap of CubeSat IOD missions & associated technologies, and conducts relevant future mission studies.

You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int and https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Engineering_Technology/Technology_CubeSats

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship
The opportunity involves training in CubeSat design, development, and operations though participation in the ongoing CubeSat projects with industry/research institutes. This includes Low Earth Orbit missions demonstrating new generic technologies/capabilities enabling either applications (e.g. Earth Observation, telecommunications, navigation) or aggregated/distributed swarms operated in close proximity (e.g. in-space assembly through rendezvous & docking, distributed aperture formation flying).

You will gain experience through assisting the Unit in the conduct of CubeSat project reviews and the related follow up of specific technical actions with specialists in other parts of the TEC directorate, as appropriate.

As ten ESA In-Orbit Demonstration CubeSats have already been tested, launched and operated under the Unit’s responsibility, the acquired ground & flight test data and lessons learned accumulated through the project forms a knowledge base for improvements in the standard IOD CubeSat project management & engineering/quality approach. As such, you will participate in the Unit’s ongoing efforts to make improvements to the CubeSat project standards and to further refine a set of CubeSat Engineering Guidelines, in conjunction with other parts of the TEC directorate.

You will also assist the Unit in the follow up of future CubeSat mission studies shaping long-term strategic directions (e.g. constellations or swarms concepts in Earth orbit), as appropriate.

Technical competencies
Knowledge of relevant technical/functional domains

Relevant experience gained during internships, project work and/or extracurricular or other activities

General knowledge of the space sector and relevant activities

Knowledge of ESA and its programmes/projects

Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation

Operational Efficiency

Fostering Cooperation

Relationship Management

Continuous Improvement

Forward Thinking

For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

Education
You should have just completed, or be in the final year of your master’ s degree in a space-related technical or scientific discipline.

Additional requirements
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. Previous experience of working in international teams can be considered an asset. Your motivation, overall professional perspective and career goals will also be explored during the later stages of the selection process.

Specific competence in Space system engineering with Academic CubeSat project involvement shall be considered an asset.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness
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.

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 via email at [email protected].

Important Information and Disclaimer
Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations & security clearance by their national security administrations.

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.

Nationality and Languages
Please note that applications can only be considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Malta 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 be given to external candidates from under-represented Member States*.

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.

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.

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