Our team and mission

This position is based at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) - Noordwijk, Netherlands

Thermal Analysis and Verification Section (TEC-MTV): The section is responsible for providing the means of analysis and verification, and for performing predevelopment and verification tests in the field of thermal environment and mechanical systems. It is the centre of competence within the Agency for thermal analysis tools and verification, including testing. The Section is also responsible for the maintenance and operation of the Mechanical Engineering Department’s overall technical computing infrastructure. 
 

Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic of the internship: Thermal Analysis Engineer

Space Thermal Analysis and Verification, covering one or several of the activities below:

• Mechanical Systems Laboratory: Participation in the testing activities of the laboratory including evaluation of test data. Participate to the development and acceptance of new test facilities, e.g. thermal cycling, Coefficient of Thermal Expansion.
• Thermal Analysis: Perform thermal analyses, including steady state/transient analyses of instrument and satellites following familiarization with project requirements and Agency’s tools (ESATAN-TMS). This may also include in-flight correlation of thermal analysis models for ESA projects. This task is often carried out in collaboration with the Thermal Control Section (responsible for design aspects);
• Thermal Analysis methods: Research and development in the area of computational methods for space thermal analysis or multi-disciplinary analysis e.g.:
  • methods and tools for exchange of thermal analysis data with other disciplines such as structures (e.g. development of SINAS);
  • co-simulation of thermal analysis models with other domains such as power or fluidics;
  • next generation methods for radiative, fluidic or thermal analysis;
  • methods for improved tool-to-tool data exchange within the thermal domain (development of STEPTAS).
• Analysis methods in support of testing activities: real time model correlation or identification of discrepancies between model and test data, analysis methods for new test instrumentation such as infra-red cameras, data fusion of thermal analysis and test data, modelling of gas convection for cleanroom testing.

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 must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of a university course at Master’s level and you need to remain enrolled at your University for the entire duration of the internship.

Additional requirements

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.