Young Graduate Trainee for Engineering and Operations Support for REXUS-BEXUS

The ESA Academy, part of the ESA Education Office, is the Agency’s overarching programme for university students from ESA Member States, Canada and Slovenia. Through a tailored transfer of space know-how and interaction with space professionals, it takes students through a learning path that supplements their academic education.

The ESA Academy operates two interconnected pillars of activity: Hands-on Space projects, which enable students to gain first-hand experience of end-to-end development of space-related projects (small satellites, experiments on a variety of platforms reproducing different levels of gravity or weightlessness conditions, experiments to be flown on sounding rockets or to be operated onboard the International Space Station); and a Training & Learning Programme, which offers a portfolio of space-specific training sessions.

The Office works in close cooperation with specialists from ESA, industry,  university departments and other research organisations.

Information on Office activities can be found at  http://www.esa.int/Education and candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website: www.esa.int/ESA

The REXUS/BEXUS (Rocket/Balloon Experiments for University Students) programme enables students from universities and colleges across Europe to carry out scientific and technological experiments on research rockets and balloons. Each year, two rockets and two balloons are launched, carrying up to 20 experiments designed and built by student teams.

As a YGT you will support coordination of the hands-on project activities conducted by the student teams participating in the programme. In close coordination with representatives of the programme partners (space agencies, centres, industry, launch providers) and guided by your ESA mentor, you will support student teams developing experiments from selection (concept) throughout their design, fabrication, testing, launch and post-flight activities.

Specific tasks include:

• periodically reviewing technical experiment (design/operation) documents and project management documents;
• tracking teams’ technical progress between formal reviews;
• interfacing with ESA’s technical experts;
• assisting with coordination of the logistical arrangements for reviews, integration and test events, launch campaigns and workshops;
• ensuring effective dissemination and utilisation of experiment results;
• directly supporting teams and programme partners at project-related events, including launch campaigns, with hands-on support and delivery of presentations;
• contributing to the programme’s overall  development and maintenance, including its website, social media and other outreach exercises;
• supporting development of the programme schedule, maintaining key programme databases.

You may be involved in additional technical tasks (design and development) to further develop the programme, experiments and/or platforms. You may contribute to the Education Office’s other activities and projects, as required.

You should have just completed, or be in the final year of a university course at Master's level (or equivalent) in engineering.  

You should show a strong understanding of both system engineering principles and practices as well as a good understanding of project/programme management. Experience with social media and outreach aspects may be an asset.

You should demonstrate good interpersonal skills and the capacity to work both independently and as part of a team. Excellent organisational and communication skills as well as the ability to follow multiple concurrent activities and a proactive approach to programme coordination are also required.

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.

During the interview your motivation and overall professional perspective/career goals will also be explored.