Power Management Engineer (2 positions)

Job Posting Organization:
The European Space Agency (ESA) is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to the exploration of space. Established in 1975, ESA has grown to encompass 22 member states and employs approximately 2,200 staff members. The agency's mission is to shape the development of Europe's space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. ESA operates in various domains, including Earth observation, human spaceflight, exploration, and telecommunications, and collaborates with numerous international partners to advance space science and technology.

Job Overview:
The Power engineer" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Management Engineer position is situated within the Power Management and Distribution Section of the Power Systems, EMC & Space Environment Division, which is part of the Electrical Department at ESA. This role is crucial for providing functional support to ESA projects and conducting technological research and development in power management and distribution for space applications. The engineer will be involved in designing power systems, assessing power and energy budgets, and developing power conditioning and distribution technologies. The position requires a proactive approach to defining and implementing contributions to ESA's technology programs and R&D activities, ensuring that the organization remains at the forefront of technological advancements in power systems. The engineer will also play a key role in coordinating requirements across different technical domains and maintaining state-of-the-art expertise in power management technologies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Power Management Engineer will report directly to the Head of Section and will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including providing expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects and programs throughout all phases. This includes participating in feasibility studies, project reviews, and evaluating procurement proposals. The engineer will identify critical development problems and assist in their resolution, contribute to defining technology development requirements, and manage R&D activities that address both long- and short-term needs. Additionally, the role involves fostering new application areas for multidisciplinary activities, emphasizing innovative concepts and cutting-edge technologies. The engineer will also be involved in laboratory activities, monitoring scientific and technological trends, and disseminating results while transferring knowledge across the Agency. Supporting other activities within the field of competence may also be required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a master's degree in electrical engineering or a similar field, along with a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience. Additional qualifications include experience in designing power systems for early-phase space missions, power system analysis, DC/DC converter design, and verification. Familiarity with power converter control, digital control, and FPGA programming is essential. Knowledge of GaN and SiC switches for power conversion, electrical simulation tools, and modeling of power conversion circuits is also required. Understanding secondary power system analysis, distribution system analysis, and power processing units (PPUs) for propulsion systems is advantageous. A PhD in a relevant domain would be considered an asset.

Educational Background:
The educational requirement for this position is a master's degree in electrical engineering or a closely related field. This advanced degree should be complemented by substantial professional experience in relevant areas of power management and distribution, particularly in the context of space applications.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least five years of professional experience in the field of power management and distribution, specifically related to space systems. This experience should include hands-on hardware experience, project support in relevant domains, and familiarity with spacecraft systems. The candidate should also have experience in managing and monitoring industrial activities, including participation in reviews and procurement activities for technology development.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, as it is one of the working languages of ESA. A good knowledge of French is also required. Additionally, knowledge of another language from a Member State would be considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate within the diverse environment of ESA.

Additional Notes:
The position is a four-year appointment, which may be extended to an indefinite duration based on performance and organizational needs. The recruitment process will adhere to the advertised grade band (A2-A4), but candidates with less than four years of relevant experience may be considered for an A1 level position. Applicants must be eligible to access information and technology subject to European or US export control regulations and must be able to obtain security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security-clearance" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security clearance from their national security administrations. The recruitment process may include selection tests, and successful candidates will undergo basic screening before appointment. ESA is committed to diversity and inclusiveness in its workforce and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates.