Location
ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany
Our team and mission
The Ground Systems Engineering and Innovation Department is responsible for all the ground systems engineering and support activities required to support mission operations and implement innovation. The department maintains and manages a full level of competences, technologies and services in all engineering disciplines related to ground systems, infrastructure, technology evolution and engineering R&T and innovation. The department provides expert support in these areas to the Directorate of Operations for all current and potential missions and leads, in the role of architect, ground systems evolution and innovation implementation in the infrastructure. The department is furthermore responsible for the overall technical standardisation coordination for the ground segment, in particular in the Management Council of the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS).
The department is relying on the following domains of expertise:
* Ground Station Engineering
* Flight Dynamics and Mission Analysis
* Mission Operations Data Systems Engineering
* Navigation Support
* Multi-Mission Infrastructure – Ground Segment Integration and Testing
You will be closely involved in activities of the ESA Navigation Support Office at the European Space Operations Centre ESOC in Darmstadt, Germany.
You are encouraged to visit the ESA website:
Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship
Moon exploration is emerging as the next global strategic priority in space exploration with highly ambitious governmental and commercial missions over the coming decades for a permanent return of mankind to the Moon. Europe is actively taking part in this new era of Lunar exploration with a tangible contribution to major programmes such as Moonlight, a programme that is focused on developing capabilities and ser-vices for the many Lunar missions to come. Moonlight is proposing the development of new communication and navigation services around the Moon. A prerequisite for this is the development and realisation of Lunar Reference Frames, interoperable with other Systems as planned by NASA and JAXA.
You will be closely involved in the related activities of the ESA Navigation Support Office. Amongst other activities around precise navigation and timing, the Navigation Support Office is actively contributing to the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF) and is leading a consortium which is responsible for the realisation and maintenance of a Terrestrial Reference Frame for the European Global Navigation Satellite System Galileo (GTRF). The GTRF is a key component contributing to the system performance of Galileo. The Navigation Support Office will transfer their expertise to the Moonlight Programme for the development and realisation of a Lunar Reference Frame.
Your particular tasks will include but are not limited to:
* Review the state of the art in Lunar Reference System, Reference Frame and Time definitions, as well as in Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR) processing, which is one key technique for the realisation of an up-to-date lunar reference frame;
* Identify missing elements in terms of models and algorithms for the LRR data processing in the software used at the Navigation Support Office;
* Carry out simulations, analysing different realisations, addressing among oth-ers the interoperability aspects;
* Based on the simulation results, identify still missing elements in terms of models and algorithms considering the software as well as the infrastructure it runs on and make recommendations for improvements.
The scope of work is initially tailored towards one year of activity, which however may be extended to in total two years.
Technical competencies
Knowledge of relevant technical/functional domains
Relevant experience gained during internships, project work and/or extracurricular or other activities
General knowledge of the space sector and relevant activities
Knowledge of ESA and its programmes/projects
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
You should have just completed, or be in the final year of your master’ s degree in astrodynamics, engineering, geodesy, physics or mathematics.
Additional requirements
You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team. Previous experience of working in international teams can be considered an asset. Your motivation, overall professional perspective and career goals will also be explored during the later stages of the selection process.
Knowledge in one or more of the following areas is an asset: space geodesy, reference frames, orbital dynamics.
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
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.
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 can only be 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, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).
According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States*. When short-listing for an interview, priority will be given to external candidates from under-represented 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.
*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.