Power Management Engineer

Description

Power Management Engineer in the Power Management and Distribution Section, Power Systems, EMC & Space Environment Division, Electrical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality. The Power Management and Distribution Section provides functional support to ESA projects and conducts research (R&D) in power management and distribution for space applications, including primary and secondary power, platform or payload. The Section covers power system design, power and energy budget assessment, power conditioning and distribution design and technology, analogue electronics for power systems, control of power systems, digital control of power systems, sensing techniques and high-voltage technology and design. The Section is responsible for:

• Defining, promoting and implementing the Section’s contributions to ESA technology programmes and R&D activities, aligned with technology trends and project needs.
• Coordinating, where applicable, the requirements of technology elements with the overall requirements of systems being developed under the responsibility of other D/TEC areas.
• Maintaining state-of-the-art expertise through the yearly plan for Technical Assessment, keeping roadmaps up to date and driving harmonisation and selected technology activities; supporting the definition of European standards in the Section’s domain.
• Ensuring the development, maintenance and evolution of the engineering tools used by the Division.
• Coordinating the Section’s laboratory activities with the Energy Storage and Power Laboratory Section to optimise laboratory support and prioritise tasks.
• Participating in the early phase design of power systems for future space missions.

Duties

Reporting to the Head of Section and within the technical fields described above, your main tasks and responsibilities will include:

• Providing expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects, programmes and studies in power management and power distribution across all project phases.
• Participating in feasibility studies, project reviews and evaluation of procurement proposals.
• Identifying critical development problems and assisting in their resolution.
• Contributing to defining technology development requirements and work plans for the Agency’s technology programmes.
• Defining, initiating and managing R&D activities covering long- and short-term needs.
• Fostering new application areas for multidisciplinary activities, emphasising innovative concepts, cutting-edge technologies and system architectures.
• Carrying out laboratory activities as required.
• Monitoring applicable scientific and technological trends and maintaining state-of-the-art expertise.
• Contributing to dissemination of results and transfer of knowledge across the Agency.

Your duties may also include supporting other activities within your field of competence.

Technical competencies

• General background and specific experience in the technical domains covered by the position
• Hands-on hardware experience
• Project support experience in a relevant domain
• Spacecraft systems knowledge
• Hands-on laboratory experience
• Experience in preparation of procurement activities for technology development and innovation (statements of work, proposal evaluation, etc.)
• Experience in management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in reviews

Behavioural competencies

• Result Orientation
• Operational Efficiency
• Fostering Cooperation
• Relationship Management
• Continuous Improvement
• Forward Thinking

Education

A master's in electrical engineering (or similar degree) is required for this post.

Additional requirements

• Experience on the design of power systems at early phase stages of space missions, and the use of relevant tools
• Experience of power system analysis, including power and energy budget assessment
• Experience of DC/DC converter design and verification
• Experience of power converter control
• Experience of digital control and FPGA programming
• Experience in the use of GaN and SiC switches for power conversion
• Experience in the use of electrical simulation tools and the modelling of power conversion circuits and systems
• Knowledge of secondary power system analysis and verification
• Knowledge of distribution system analysis and verification
• Knowledge of power processing units for propulsion systems
• Knowledge of power systems for smallsats

A PhD in a relevant domain will be an asset for this post.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness

ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.

We value diversity and 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 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). If the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level.

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations and eligible to acquire the security clearance by their national security administrations.

During the recruitment process, the Agency may require selection tests. Successful candidates will undergo basic screening before appointment, conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with ESA security procedures.

Note that ESA is 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

Applications are considered from nationals of specified Member States; priority for shortlisting may be given to internal candidates and to external candidates from under-represented Member States. Working languages are English and French; knowledge of another Member State language is an asset.