Launcher Processing Engineer
Paris
- Organization: ESA - European Space Agency
- Location: Paris
- Grade:
-
Occupational Groups:
- Engineering
- Closing Date: 2025-05-16
Launcher Processing Engineer
Paris, FR
Location
ESA Headquarters, Paris, France
Description
Launch Processing Engineer in the Space Transportation Infrastructure Project, Value Chain Assessment and Asset Management Division, Infrastructure and Value Chain Department, Directorate of Space Transportation.
Under the direct authority of the Space Transportation Infrastructure Project Manager, you will be responsible for understanding in depth the processes related to Ariane 6 and to P120C, which is used for both Ariane 6 and Vega C, challenging the labour hours and external costs for each process, and proposing relevant improvements.
Duties
Your tasks and responsibilities will include the following:
- Identifying cost drivers, critical processes and improvement measures in the manufacturing, assembly, integration, test and logistics of European launchers (with a main focus on Ariane 6), generating detailed value stream maps that will highlight critical processes and components;
- Proposing supply chain optimisation to increase agility and competitiveness;
- Monitoring the sustainability of the Ariane 6 and P120C supply chain, in particular identifying and implementing measures to reduce the CO2 footprint by 40% in cooperation with the ESA Clean Space Office. Such measures might include reducing internal and external logistics efforts and transport, reducing reworks, replacing environmentally unfriendly and hazardous processes, supporting the use of renewable or low-impact extraction methods, and reducing energy consumption;
- Collecting, assessing and summarising information on trends related to technical infrastructure and sustainability;
- Supporting the Space Transportation Infrastructure Project Manager in identifying and deploying suitable industry 4.0, smart digital manufacturing, artificial intelligence and additive manufacturing technologies;
- Reviewing current manufacturing processes and identifying further potential for deploying intelligent automated manufacturing capabilities, including robot cutting, computerised knitting and 3D printing;
- Identifying and facilitating advanced technologies enabling self-optimisation of connected assets in manufacturing processes;
- Increasing visibility, intelligence and connectivity using real-time data, with exact knowledge of the status of inventory and components across the supply chain;
- Deploying digital twins for complex and/or critical fixed assets;
- Identifying smart factory solutions to support the maintenance of all levels delivering continuous connectedness, and implementing predictive maintenance of critical fixed assets;
- Identifying, assessing and addressing potential disruptions in Ariane 6 and P120C manufacturing, integration, tests and logistics before they occur;
- Providing Ariane 6 and P120C schedule planning inputs to the space transportation infrastructure planner;
- Monitoring the origin of parts and components in Ariane 6 and P120C with the objective of increasing the use of parts and components from ESA Member States;
- Preparing and organising necessary reviews/key points;
- Contributing to the preparation of procurement documents, including the assessment of related deliveries (such as the analysis of the relevant scope vs costs);
- Supporting the acceptance of new ESA-owned assets in the database containing such assets developed under space transportation programmes (Ariane 6, P120C and Vega C);
- Conducting the industrial negotiations and administration tasks related to procurements under your responsibility;
- Contributing to the preparation of the Ariane 6 and P120C exploitation accompaniment programme, as relevant to your domain of responsibility;
- Technically supporting audits performed on Ariane 6 including P120C (mainly for ramp-up and learning-curve effects).
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
A master's degree in an engineering discipline with experience in the production/industrial sector, preferably in project implementation and system engineering, is required for this post.
Additional requirements
Candidates should also have:
- strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
- excellent reporting and communication skills;
- the ability to present practical solutions, both orally and in writing;
- customer focus;
- good understanding of the space market, key players, trends, the Ariane 6 and Vega C supply chains, and the European space transportation infrastructure.
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
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 & eligible to acquire the security clearance by their national security administrations.
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, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.
When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates.
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.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.