Flight Dynamics Engineer
Darmstadt, DE
Location
ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany
Description
Flight Dynamics Engineer in the Science Mission Support Section, Flight Dynamics Division, Ground Systems Engineering and Innovation Department, Directorate of Operations.
You will participate in providing flight dynamics operations to satellite projects, including study, development, test, operations, evaluation and maintenance activities, addressing infrastructure and project-specific issues.
Duties
You will be a member of the Science Mission Support Section, which is responsible for:
- mission preparation, LEOP (Launch and Early Orbit Phase), critical and routine operations in the field of flight dynamics for future interplanetary and Lagrange missions, including Plato, Rosalind Franklin, Ramses, Comet Interceptor, Ariel, Envision, Argonaut and LISA;
- critical and routine flight dynamics operations for inner solar system missions Bepi-Colombo and Solar-Orbiter;
- critical and routine flight dynamics operations for Juice, the Jupiter moons mission;
- critical and routine flight dynamics operations for the Hera asteroid mission;
- routine operations for Mars missions ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter and Mars Express;
- routine operations for the Euclid observatory mission;
- development, validation and utilisation of operational solutions for the above science missions, in the field of command generation for the GNC systems (guidance, navigation and control) of spacecraft.
Your duties will include the following tasks:
- Providing flight dynamics solutions to the Ground Segment, Project and Science Teams for the definition and implementation of mission operations for interplanetary and Lagrange missions;
- Gathering and managing requirements for flight dynamics solutions to interplanetary and Lagrange missions;
- Developing, adapting and maintaining generic and project-specific operational systems in the field of GNC command generation;
- Conducting GNC command generation for interplanetary and Lagrange missions;
- Coordinating the flight dynamics activities at Division level for the preparation and implementation of the Launch and Early Orbit Phase of missions, critical operations, routine operations and contingency recovery activities;
- Coordinating the Division-external representation for mission operations;
- Providing technical leadership for flight dynamics operations support 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.
You will primarily support the above missions and other future ESA interplanetary and Lagrange missions. You may also be involved in other tasks and domains in the Flight Dynamics Division.
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 and professional experience
A master's degree in mathematics, physics or engineering is required for this post together with 10 years of relevant professional experience.
Additional requirements
Several years of active participation in flight dynamics support for interplanetary and Lagrange missions, in particular in the field of command generation for GNC systems, is mandatory. You must be able to establish working interfaces in a multi-disciplinary and multi-project operational environment.
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, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.
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
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.
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 are only 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, the United Kingdom and Canada, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.
According to the ESA Convention, staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the 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.