Space Solar Array & Generator Engineer

Responsibilities

• providing technical support to ESA projects, programmes and general studies
• participating in feasibility studies, project reviews and evaluation of procurement proposals
• identifying critical development problems and assisting in their resolution
• Contributions to R&D idea formulation, technology development plans under the various ESA programmes, and other preparatory activities in support of the TO.
• Support the TO in R&D activity reviews and meetings, and possible related verification and analysis activities
• Support the definition, promotion and implementation of the technological research programmes for advanced photovoltaic generator technology, including solar cells, photovoltaic assembly processes and components (e.g. cover-glasses), solar generator subsystems, environmental effects models, testing methods and test facilities.
• Perform the daily work in the development of the activity
• Organize the monthly meetings
• Perform the daily work in the development of the activity

Organize and coordinate the activity reviews

• Provide feedback to ESA personnel about the activity development
• Contribute to the definition of technology development requirements and work plans for the Agency’s technology programmes
• Contribute to defining, initiating and managing R&D activities covering both long- and short-term needs
• Contribute to foster new application areas for multidisciplinary activities, placing emphasis on innovative concepts, cutting-edge technologies and system architectures.
• Support the development of Hands On activities The support includes specific tasks defined by the ESA TO like:
• Electrical characterization, tests and inspections of solar cells, solar cell assemblies, Coupons of solar panels, solar panels and solar arrays in the Solar Generator facilities of the ESA Space Power Laboratory
• Analysis and calculations related to any aspects of design, development and in-orbit performances of the solar array, from the single items composing the solar array to the complete solar array, considering the ground and space environment
• Maintenance and development of the Areas of Competencies IT infrastructure, simulation tools, databases and models

Support CDF studies

• Provide technical support in specific CDF studies related to ESA missions in the application directories.
• Perform simulations at solar array level using PEPS/EcosimPro and build new models as needed for the studies.
• Provide feedback to ESA personnel about the CDF study
• Support the investments and the maintenance of the ESA solar generator laboratory facilities and the execution of engineering and qualification tests
• Support the Solar Generator Area of Competence in teamwork coordination and knowledge management
• Support the Solar Generator Area of Competences in maintaining and improving the coordination and knowledge management via the following mandatory tasks:
• Participation at the weekly Solar Generator Team meetings
• Support to monitor applicable scientific and technological trends and maintain a state-of-the-art expertise

What is expected from you

The candidate shall provide expert technical support and consultancy on behalf of ESA to any ESA Projects, programmes, general studies and missions as needed, in the field of the solar cell and solar generator technologies throughout all project phases, including electrical and mechanical design, development, manufacturing, integration, testing and in-orbit performance evaluation, in coordination with the Areas of Competences and defined by the Head of the Areas of Competences.

The candidate shall also provide technical support to the members of the Areas of Competences for any matter concerning solar array in support to ESA Projects. In particular:

Support to R&D Programmes and activities

• The candidate shall provide support to the ESA TOs in solar cells and solar generators R&D programmes and activities. This shall include:
• Support the updating of the solar generator technology dossiers and roadmaps and supporting their harmonisation with European industries, laboratories and national agencies;

Supporting the ESA TR where applicable

Support the Area of Competence in Hands On activities

Support ESA personnel to TEC-EPG laboratory management

• Support tests and characterization performed in the solar generator facilities of ESA Space Power Laboratory
• Introducing any lesson learnt, important information and results from R&D developments,
• Project support and hands-on activities in the EPG WIKI and in any other ad hoc directories that will be specified
• Support to the dissemination of the results of the activities performed and the transfer of knowledge across the Agency
• Promoting activity and results outside the Agency when required

Support the European Standards

Support the definition, review, tailoring and implementation of European standards in the solar generator domain.

What you offer

• A master's degree in physics, or electrical engineering, or mechanical or aerospace engineers is required for the delivery of this service
• General background and specific experience in the technical domains including hands-on hardware experience covered by the position

5+ years of experience in the relevant field

• Experience in the design, development and verification of space hardware
• Experience in related technologies, R&D trends and the industrial landscape

Project support experience in a relevant domain

Experience in the preparation of procurement activities for technology development and innovation (Statements of Work, proposal evaluation, etc.)

Experience in the management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in reviews

Experience with Space Engineering Standards and their preparation and implementation

Experience of solar cells and solar generators for space applications

Experience in technology, process development and manufacturing at part level of space solar cells and related components (e.g. Ge wafers, solar cell shunt diodes), and at sub-system level of space photovoltaic assemblies and solar generators

Experience with the electrical design of space solar arrays, development and application of relevant tools and methods, including the evaluation of the in-orbit performance of space solar generators

Experience with the mechanical design of space solar arrays, development and application of relevant tools and methods, including knowledge of thermo-mechanical properties of space solar generators and their components

Knowledge of the technology landscape for solar cells and their potential for space applications

Experience in the definition of specifications and test plans for space solar generators, photovoltaic assemblies, solar panel substrates and solar cell assemblies

Knowledge of space environment effects on solar generators

• Experience in definition and implementation of Standards relevant to space solar cells, photovoltaic assemblies and solar generators
• Experience in testing and characterisation activities
• Experience in technical contract managemen t

A competitive salary

• 30 days of paid annual leave, plus the days ESTEC is closed including public holidays (~12 days) based on a 40-hour working week;
• Hybrid working scheme (3 days in the office and 2 days remote in the Netherlands)

Opportunity to telework from abroad

• Flexible working hours; you are in charge of your own agenda respecting core working hours
• Fully paid collective extensive health insurance scheme;
• A good pension scheme with no personal contribution;
• A career development (Coursera membership + training budget);
• Travel allowance;
• Extensive relocation package

Where

You will be working within ESTEC, the European Space Agency’s offices in the Netherlands as a contractor for Telespazio BeNeLux. We don’t expect the employees to be on-site full time however you will still have to relocate to the Netherlands for this position

Check out the ESTEC site here

• esa.int/About_Us/ESTEC
• When

Deadline to apply: ASAP

• Please note that interviews will be held via Teams.
• We look forward to receiving your application for this position!