ESA Graduate Trainee in Vega Launcher System Design Process

Job Requisition ID:  19306
Date Posted:  1 February 2025
Closing Date:  28 February 2025 23:59 CET/CEST
Publication:  External Only
Type of Contract ESA Graduate Trainee
Directorate:  Space Transportation
Workplace: 

Frascati, IT

Grade Band F1 - F1

 

Location

ESRIN, Frascati, Italy 

Our team and mission

Within the Directorate for Space Transportation, the Vega Programmes team manages the technical and programmatic implementation of the Vega development and exploitation programmes: Vega C, C AVD, Vega C Competitiveness Improvements IP, Vega C Product Adaptations and Consolidation, A Vega ADV and LEAP Vega Classical and MCO. As an ESA Graduate Trainee in this team, you will have exposure to the system design process of Europe's flagship small-lift launch vehicle.

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

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

As an ESA Graduate Trainee under the coordination of the Vega launcher system product manager, in support to the current developments and Vega-C recurring flights, a progressive on-the-job training in the launcher system design process will be achieved performing tasks in the following fields of activities:

 

  • Requirements management, flow-down, justification, traceability and verification;
  • Architectural and design trade-offs, involving multiple disciplines with cross-related impacts and constraints;
  • Mission design and trajectory analysis;
  • Traceability of system impacts from design changes and requests for deviation/waiver;
  • Post-flight data processing for launcher key parameters monitoring;
  • Setup of simple tools supporting the system design activities.

 

Through the day-by-day active contribution, the objective of the training is to acquire the sensibility and learn the basics of the complex multi-disciplinary approach typical of a launcher system design process, experienced along its different development phases, from the requirements structure establishment, through the design architectures and concepts evolution, to the as-built design and its operational phase.

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 the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

Education

You should have just completed, or be in the final year of your master’s degree in aerospace engineering.

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. 

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 contact.human.resources@esa.int.
 

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

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.