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

• providing technical expertise and consultancy to ESA projects, programmes and general studies in the field of materials and processes throughout all project phases, with a particular focus on, but not limited to, composite and metallic materials, related bonding and joining processes, material/process relationships, predictive performance modelling, process and product verification and defect analysis;
• participating in feasibility studies, project reviews and evaluation of procurement proposals;
• supporting the selection of materials, mechanical parts and processes for ESA programmes in the framework of the Materials and Processes Review Boards;
• identifying critical development problems and assisting in their resolution;
• contributing to the definition of technology development requirements and work plans for the Agency’s technology programmes;
• defining, initiating and managing R&D activities covering both long- and short-term needs;
• fostering new application areas for multidisciplinary activities, placing emphasis on innovative concepts, cutting-edge technologies and system architectures;
• supporting tests, qualifications and failure investigations by coordinating relevant laboratory test activities and, in particular, modelling of materials performance relating to applied processes and stimuli and drafting of relevant reports;
• liaising and collaborating with other engineering disciplines;
• developing test and modelling methodologies for the evaluation of materials and for verifying processes against application requirements;
• participating in the definition, drafting, implementation and updating of the ECSS standards relevant to the Section’s domain of competence;
• supporting the implementation of the ESA Advanced Manufacturing Cross-Cutting Initiative as well as proposing new batches of associated activities by reviewing and assessing the (advanced) manufacturing technologies, including digitalisation and virtual manufacturing, and ensuring synergy with other industrial high-end technology domains, such as the aeronautics, nuclear, automotive or medical domains;
• monitoring applicable scientific and technological trends and maintaining state-of-the-art expertise;
• disseminating the results of the activities performed and actively contributing to the transfer of knowledge across the Agency;
• contributing to the contract management and task supervision for the Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory;
• supervising trainees and interns with access to the Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory;
• liaising with the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) for exploitation and access to test facilities on the Harwell campus.

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

Requirements: 

Education

A master’s degree in materials engineering or science is required for this post. Preference will be given to applicants with a PhD.

Additional requirements

• At least four years of experience in general engineering and science of materials and related manufacturing processes.
• Proven experience in advanced manufacturing, such as additive manufacturing or 3D printing.
• Good knowledge of materials performance and processing.
• Knowledge of Digital Twin and virtual testing would be an asset.
• Proven experience in the space industry will be considered an asset.