ESA Graduate Trainee in Electrical Propulsion Engineering

Our team and mission

The Propulsion, Aerothermodynamics and Flight Vehicle Engineering Division is the focal point within ESA for all matters related to spacecraft and launcher propulsion, aerothermodynamics of  launchers and re-entry vehicles, as well as architectural and technology assessment of new flight vehicles.

In addition, the Division is responsible for the ESA Propulsion Laboratory, a unique facility in Europe offering opportunities for development and verification testing of propulsion components and subsystems.

The Electric Propulsion team:

• Provides expert support to the Agency’s project teams responsible for the development of spacecraft, throughout all the project phases;
• Contributes to the preparation and implementation of work plans for electric propulsion in the Agency’s technological programmes;
• Prepare and technically manages Agency contracts for studies, experimental investigations, engineering developments and qualification of electric propulsion technologies;
• Takes charge of key tasks for the maintenance and operations of the ESA Propulsion Laboratory, including technical, quality and infrastructure management responsibilities together with test servicing of electric propulsion and cubesat propulsion technologies.

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

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

You will support the Electric Propulsion team (TEC-MPE) and will be integrated within the ESA Propulsion Laboratory (EPL) test team. You will acquire skills and knowledge on testing Electric Propulsion technologies and using EPL test facilities and test equipment, though training in: 

• Operation of EPL vacuum chambers;
• Test preparation: definition and integration of test set-up, definition of electrical/mechanical/fluidic test interfaces, definition of test objectives & pass/fail criteria, definition of test procedures, electrical checks, calibration and commissioning of a thrust balance, installation/alignment/calibration of diagnostic probes;
• Functional and Performance Test execution: activation/operation of Thrusters/Systems and acquisition of relevant performance data, operation of a thrust balance and acquisition of relevant test data, operation of beam probes and acquisition of relevant test data;
• Application of ISO approved EPL procedures for measurement of thrust, mass flow rate and power, including uncertainty budget calculation;
• Test reporting. post-processing and reporting of measured data collected for the Thruster, Thrust Balance, Beam Diagnostics system and Test Facility;
• Test Reviews: Test Readiness Review, Post Test Review, Test Review Board.

Technical competencies

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 technical or scientific discipline.

Additional requirements

You should have attended classes on Electric Propulsion for spacecraft.

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.