Intern in the Mechanical Department, Thermal Analysis and Verification Section

Our team and mission

The Thermal Division is responsible for the technical and strategic management in the following domains:

• Thermal engineering, design, analysis and testing of space systems, covering active and passive thermal control systems;
• Passive and active cryogenic cooling, heat transport, heat storage and heat rejection, thermal insulation, thermal protection, thermal analysis methods and tools, thermal and mechanical verification including testing;
• Maintenance and operation of the Mechanical Systems Laboratory covering thermal cycling in vacuum and nitrogen, thermal balance, MLI performance characterisation, thermal conductivity measurement, vibration testing, CTE measurement;
• Maintenance and operation of the TEC-M technical IT infrastructure covering the Mechanical Department laboratories and computing infrastructure, including the thermal computing facility, in conjunction with the TEC infrastructure function;
• Analysis methods and tools for the thermal subsystem including those for specific thermal technologies (e.g. two-phase systems, cryo-coolers) within and outside the Agency;
• Link with system level (e.g. MB4SE and Digital Twin) and with other disciplines (e.g. thermoelastic).
  Thermal Control Section (TEC-MTT): The section is responsible for all ESA activities related to thermal engineering, related R&D activities and hardware for the thermal control of space systems. It is the center of competence within the Agency for design and verification of passive and active thermal control systems, cryogenics and refrigeration, heat transport, heat storage and rejection, thermal insulations and thermal protection.

Thermal Analysis and Verification Section (TEC-MTV): The section is responsible for providing the means of analysis and verification, and for performing predevelopment and verification tests in the field of thermal environment and mechanical systems. It is the centre of competence within the Agency for thermal analysis tools and verification, including testing. The Section is also responsible for the maintenance and operation of the Division’s technical infrastructure.

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic of the internship: Thermal Analysis Engineer

Space Thermal Analysis and Verification, covering one or several of the activities below:

• Mechanical Systems Laboratory: Participation in the testing activities of the laboratory including evaluation of test data. Participate to the development and acceptance of new test facilities, e.g. thermal cycling, Coefficient of Thermal Expansion;
• Thermal Analysis methods: Research and development in the area of computational methods for space thermal analysis or multi-disciplinary analysis e.g.:
  
  • methods and tools for exchange of thermal analysis data with other disciplines such as structures (e.g. development of SINAS);
  • co-simulation of thermal analysis models with other domains such as power or fluidics;
  • next generation methods for radiative, fluidic or thermal analysis;
  • methods for improved tool-to-tool data exchange within the thermal domain (development of STEPTAS).
• Analysis methods in support of testing activities: real time model correlation or identification of discrepancies between model and test data, analysis methods for new test instrumentation such as infra-red cameras, data fusion of thermal analysis and test data, modelling of gas convection for cleanroom testing.
• Thermal Analysis: Perform thermal analyses, including steady state/transient analyses of instrument and satellites following familiarization with project requirements and Agency’s tools (ESATAN-TMS). This may also include in-flight correlation of thermal analysis models for ESA projects. This task is often carried out in collaboration with the Thermal Control Section (responsible for design aspects).

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 must be a university student, preferably studying at master’s level. In addition, you must be able to prove that you will be enrolled at your University for the entire duration of the internship.

Additional requirements

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another ESA Member State language is an asset.

During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.