Description

The Atmospheric Remote-sensing Infrared Exoplanet Large-survey (Ariel) is a space telescope scheduled for launch in 2029 as the fourth medium-class mission of the Cosmic Vision programme. Its primary objective is to observe at least 1,000 known exoplanets using the transit method, studying and characterising their chemical composition and thermal structures. The mission aims to answer fundamental questions about the formation and evolution of planetary systems.

Ariel will employ a spectrometer to disperse light into a spectrum, allowing scientists to identify the chemical fingerprints of gases present in exoplanetary atmospheres. This will help uncover how a planet's chemistry is influenced by its formation environment and how its development is shaped by its host star. While Ariel will examine a diverse population of exoplanets across various environments, it will primarily focus on warm and hot planets in close orbits around their stars.

The payload is provided by the Ariel Mission Consortium (AMC) through nationally funded contributions of ESA Member States, led by the UK Space Agency.

As the Payload & Performance System Engineer for Ariel, you will lead all project-level performance activities essential for monitoring and ensuring scientific and mission-level performance. You will collaborate closely with AMC scientists and engineers developing performance simulators, and supporting them with additional capability to run their models, for example:  

• ArielRad, the Ariel payload radiometric simulator, publicly available on GitHub in an instrument-independent version called ExoRad https://github.com/ExObsSim/ExoRad2-public,
• The exoplanet observation simulator https://github.com/arielmission-space/ExoSim2-public). 

You will also develop ad hoc additional simulation tools as needed by the project. You will also oversee the development of specific elements of the Ariel payload and act as the project’s reference point for optical expertise and support.

You will report to the Payload and Performance Manager (SCI-PAP), Ariel Project, Projects Department, Directorate of Science.

Duties

• Mission and payload performance:
  • Serve as the project’s focal point for all mission-level performance activities (e.g., supporting mission reviews);
  • Interface with the dedicated AMC subsystems (Telescope, AIRS & FGS instruments, and Common Optics) and teams/groups (Instrument Scientists Team and other relevant working groups including Optics, Simulators Software, Calibration, STOP analysis, Data Processing Pipeline, etc.) pertaining to performance aspects;
  • Oversee and support the performance analysis activities performed by the AMC;
  • Develop and maintain complementary performance simulators and conduct performance analyses as needed, to support the verification of the science and mission requirements but also lower-level subsystem/instrument requirements;
  • Lead performance impact assessment of system design and operations trade-offs, or when as-built Non-Conformances and Waivers arise, in conjunction with the PA teams and the subsystem leads.

• Requirements engineering, for the mission-level performance as well as the payload subsystem requirements under your responsibility, in collaboration with the AMC:
  • Ensure the correct, up-to-date, comprehensive flow-down of Ariel project requirements and budgets, including applicable ESA standards, to payload system and subsystems;
  • Verify that payload subsystems, along with their technical and programmatic interfaces, are correctly defined and followed;
  • Maintain the justification of mission performance requirements and budgets, including sensitivity analyses and margins where required.

• Payload design, development and verification:
  • Oversee the design and development of assigned payload subsystems, ensuring robust design, with associated analysis and budgets that align with requirements and interface definitions;
  • Ensure design consistency across payload units and between the payload and other mission elements (spacecraft and ground segment);
  • Provide management and technical support to the payload activities;
  • Lead routine payload subsystem interface and progress meetings;
  • Ensure the maintenance and provision of mathematical models and interface documentation between payload units as well as between the payload and spacecraft;
  • Monitor and control instrument performance and budgets;
  • Ensure coherence and timely delivery of contributions from the payload consortium to both other payload consortium entities and the Ariel Prime Contractor, in line with the project schedule and constraints;
  • In collaboration with project AIV and PA engineers, supervise the payload subsystem manufacturing, integration and verification activities, ensuring proper verification of the requirements. This includes reviewing the definition of the test plans and specifications, participating in integration and test reviews, and monitoring and supporting integration and test activities.

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• Support to spacecraft development and verification:
  • Contribute to defining and monitoring the progress of the activities performed by the Ariel Prime Contractor related e.g., to payload accommodation and interface engineering and ensure the consistency of the spacecraft and payload design and development (technical and programmatic), with specific emphasis on the spacecraft interfaces affecting the mission performance (e.g. pointing stability, thermal stability, etc.);
  • Support the Spacecraft Section and Ariel Prime Contractor in preparing payload AIV activities at spacecraft level including launch campaign activities.

• Operations preparation:
  • Support the Spacecraft Section, Ariel Prime Contractor, Science Ground Segment and Mission Operations Centre in preparing in-flight operations related to the payload;
  • Monitor and support the definition of payload commissioning, performance verification and nominal flight operations plans, ensuring the timely delivery of all operations deliverables.

• Participate in other Project and Department tasks where your experience is relevant.

• Coordinate closely with the Spacecraft Section, the AIV/AIT Section, the PA/QA Section and coordinate the support provided by D/TEC engineers, as required.

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 in a relevant engineering domain is required for the post.

Additional requirements

• Experience with cryogenic payload development and exoplanet transit spectroscopy is an asset.
• Demonstrated proactive attitude with the ability to evaluate and plan professional tasks effectively, and to seek support when required.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across different teams on an interdisciplinary basis.
• Capacity to recognise and respect different perspectives and groups and to contribute to resolving problems or conflicts constructively.
• Proven ability to build and maintain positive relationships within project teams and with both scientific and industrial partners.