Intern in Thermal Engineering

Our team and mission

The Thermal Control Section is in charge of all thermal control aspects for the support to projects and the development of thermal hardware technologies, and the Thermal Analysis & Verification Section is the focal point for analysis methodologies, software tools and experimental/test services executed in the Mechanical Systems Laboratory.

You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: www.esa.int/ESA

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

1. Thermal Design & Analysis: Perform thermal design and associated analysis, 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.

2. Cryogenics: Investigate cryogenic technologies (active and passive coolers) for applications in future ESA spacecraft and launchers

3. Heat Transfer & Heat Rejection: Investigate heat transport technologies such as capillary and mechanically pumped two-phase loops, single-phase loops, heat pipes for thermal control

4. Thermal Protection: Investigate thermal protection technologies (both – re-usable and ablative) for on-going and future missions (e.g. planetary exploration and sample return missions) and re-usable launchers.

5. Generic thermal control technologies: Investigate innovative and advanced technologies for the Thermal Control Subsystem e.g. tunable infrared emittance coatings with electrochromic-based solutions, phase-change materials, heat pumps, etc. Investigate specific thermal technologies for small satellites and CubeSats.

6. Thermal Analysis methods: Research and development in the area of computational methods for space thermal analysis or multi-disciplinary analysis e.g.:

a. methods and tools for exchange of thermal analysis data with other disciplines such as structures (e.g. development of SINAS);

b. co-simulation of thermal analysis models with other domains such as power or fluidics;

c. next generation methods for radiative, fluidic or thermal analysis;

d. methods for improved tool-to-tool data exchange within the thermal domain (development of STEP-TAS).

7. 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.

8. 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.

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

You must be enrolled at university for the entire duration of the internship. You should preferably be in your final or second to last year of a University course at master's level in a technical or scientific discipline.

Additional requirements

You should demonstrate good interpersonal skills and the capacity to work both independently and as part of a team.

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 motivation and overall professional perspective/career goals will also be explored.

Specific required knowledge and interest are different, depending on the field of activity selected:

1. to 5. Physics, thermal / mechanical engineering university degree or equivalent, with basic knowledge of thermodynamics, radiative and conductive heat transfer, cryogenics, fluid/thermal simulations, computer systems.

6. and 7. Thermal/mechanical engineering with basic knowledge of thermal analysis, numerical methods and software engineering.

8. Experimental physics / instrumentation / measurement or mechanical engineering.