ESA Graduate Trainee in Genesis System Engineering
Noordwijk, NL
Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Our team and mission
Genesis is a mission in the ESA Navigation Directorate, foreseen to be launched in 2028 and is currently in the early stages of development.
By flying the 4 geodetic techniques on one satellite individual biases of the techniques can be removed, and as an outcome the mission will enable the generation of an updated global model of Earth – the International Terrestrial Reference Frame, employed for everything from land surveying to measuring sea level rise – with an accuracy down to 1 mm, while tracking ground motion of just 0.1 mm per year.
This improvement, at a stroke, will have a major impact in multiple navigation and Earth science applications, including enhancing the precision of the Galileo navigation system, see ESA - Genesis for more information.
The ESA project team is small and supported by experts as required and will be working closely with Industry to develop the mission in a ‘New Space’ approach as far as feasible. Both space and ground segment will be under design in the time frame of the traineeship, and this will generate an opportunity for the ESA Graduate Trainee to work closely with experienced experts on System level space mission design.
You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int
Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship
If selected for this position, you will report to the Genesis System and Operations Manager within the ESA Navigation Directorate.
You will take part in the overall system engineering of the mission, including platform development and payload development & integration, along with the development of the mission and scientific ground segment for operations.
- In a ‘New Space’ mission framework, support the execution of GENESIS mission engineering-related activities within the Project and industrial consortium with the objective of ensuring that the space and ground segments fulfil the Agency's mission requirements;
- Be part of setting up lean processes required to monitor the development and ensuring the quality of the engineering activities;
- Supporting the Preliminary Design Review with industry;
- Be part of the work during the critical design phase of the mission, ensuring compliance with the mission performance requirements;
- Work together with the experts on the scientific ground segment development, supporting the implementation of ground systems that allow cost-effective achievement of mission requirements in the routine phase;
- Collaborate with the team of the other project in the FutureNAV program, LEO PNT (Low Earth Orbit Position, Navigation and Timing), especially exchanging on ‘New space’ topics;
- Contribute to the reporting internally and externally to ESA on the Genesis progress and status.
This will be an opportunity to be part of the system engineering team of a small mission that is in the design phase and where there are several interesting topics that need to be covered. There will be access to experienced team members to grow the engineering capability gained from university and a chance to prove that you can work independently on certain tasks.
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 the field of Space, Physics or Electrical/RF 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.
Applicants for this position should be able to demonstrate that they can work autonomously, effectively and cooperatively in a diverse, international team environment. Also, they should be results-oriented and capable of presenting practical solutions both verbally and in writing.
It is also key that they have a good technical background from University, analytical, organisational and reporting skills, a proactive attitude to solving problems and have an interest in innovative technologies and methodologies.
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
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.