Job
- Level
- Experienced
- Job Field
- Software, Project
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Contract Type
- Temporary employment
- Location
- Darmstadt
- Working Model
- Onsite
Job Summary
In this role, you'll develop software and methods for mission analysis, optimize trajectories, and analyze lunar and planetary missions, including landing site assessment and surface mobility elements.
Your role in the team
- Mission Analysis Architect 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 for future terrestrial, lunar, minor-body and interplanetary missions, as well as scientific missions to other planets or missions to the 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 as referenced above.
- You will need the ability to supervise and develop complex software tools to enable the required analysis activities.
- Your tasks will include, among others: transfer and operational orbit analysis and related tasks, 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; working on close-proximity operations; and tasks relating to formation flight.
- In this position, you will focus on topics relating to the Agency's future lunar lander missions and the required lunar surface mission analysis, including landing site assessment and surface mobility element mission analysis.
- Finding innovative solutions to old and new 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 proactive in identifying cutting-edge solutions.
- While knowledge in most of the relevant domains is considered an asset, it is acknowledged that many of them require specialisation; coverage of all of them is not a requirement.
- Your tasks and responsibilities will, in general, 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; subsystem 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.
- For this position, your tasks will, in particular, include: developing and maintaining lunar and planetary surface mission analysis methods and software tools, and participating in the coordination of a European framework for the development and provision of these tools and associated services; developing mission- and payload-specific surface analysis tools; maintaining an overview of European capabilities with respect to lunar surface analysis, regularly performing gap analysis, and specifying and managing surface analysis study and development contracts with academia and European industry; lunar landing site assessment support for future lunar lander missions, considering the specific lander and payload requirements; supporting third-party customer requests in relation to lunar surface analysis.
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Our expectations of you
Education
- A master's degree in a relevant domain is required for this post.
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What we offer
- This is a fixed-term appointment with an initial duration of 4 years.
- Depending upon performance and organisational needs, the appointment may be extended up to a possible maximum duration of 8 years.
- 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.
- Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
- 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.
- Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.
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Topics that you deal with on the job
Job Locations
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European Space Agency
The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe's gateway to space. By coordinating and promoting the development of European space activities, ESA ensures that European investments in space bring lasting benefits to all Europeans.
Description
- Company Type
- Established Company
- Working Model
- Onsite
- Industry
- Science, Research
Mission Analysis Architect
- Location
- Darmstadt
- Working Model
- Onsite
- Diversity
- Open for all genders
