EO Optical Performance Engineer

Aurora is an established supplier of skilled manpower to ESA and in particular at ESTEC and ESAC. Aurora has the opportunity to expand our support to ESA in the domain of EOP – Earth Observation. Happiness of our employees has proven key to obtaining excellent results and a client who also regards us highly for excellent service.

Overview

Under this work package the Contractor shall support the Space Segment Performance Engineering activities within Earth Observation.

In particular the tasks include:

• The development, implementation and validation of (complex) performance models of optical space-borne instruments, in particular passive (spectrometers) instruments, dedicated to atmospheric missions;
• The assessment of the instruments system performance as well as sub-systems contributing to the instruments performances;
• The contribution to meetings within ESA, industry and potentially with users.

The Contractor will report to the Instrument Manager. He/she will liaise with various members of the project team, being responsible for the various instrument subsystems and disciplines, e.g. optics, focal plane assembly, calibration.

With regard to the mission performance assessment, it is expected that the incumbent also liaises with the science support team, where adequate, to support both the mission related scientific studies and the instrument design evolution.

Specific qualification requirements

The profile for the personnel to provide services considered in this SoW is a research-and-development oriented engineer with the following skills:

• University degree (MSc.) or equivalent qualification in Physics or Engineering with background in Optical Engineering.
• Good familiarity with computer programs such as Excel, MathCAD and MATLAB and/or Python.
• Good familiarity with optical design and performance assessment software like Zemax, ASAP, FRED, with specific emphasis on straylight simulation aspects.
• Good communication skills.
• General knowledge of ESA Earth Observation missions.
• Ability to work both autonomously and as part of a team within the boundaries of assigned tasks and a stringent schedule.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the outside world.
• Proficient in the English language (spoken and written); knowledge of other languages is an asset.

Legal and Security Requirements

• All applicants must be legally allowed to work in The Netherlands.
• Applicants are required to provide a copy of their passport and degree certificate. Aurora will validate the Degree with the issuing University and provide evidence to ESA.
• Prior to issuing a letter of employment the applicant shall provide to Aurora a recent official document declaring that they are of good conduct from the country where currently resident.

Location

The work will be performed at the European Space Technology and Research Centre (ESTEC) at Noordwijk, The Netherlands.

Contract

• The selected candidate will receive good remuneration in line with ESA Job Class.
• Will be registered for both social security and tax in the Netherlands.
• The standard working hours are 40 per week. There are 12 public holidays and an additional 30 annual days holiday.
• Training to improve efficiency and provide strength for future career are of course included.
• Aurora assist with relocation both with support and financially.
• Aurora contributes to a company pension scheme.

To be considered for this Position

Provide prior to 23 November 2018 a summary of why you are a good candidate for the position together with a complete and detailed Candidate Proposal Form or CV and Motivation Letter to Mr. Davide Starnone and Ms. Tracey Longden, at email davide.starnone@aurora.nl and tracey.longden@aurora.nl quoting reference EOP-105 (RT-C/EOP-PM/00105).

Aurora will agree conditional employment terms and conditions with candidates before presenting them to ESA by 30 November 2018, 13.00 hours.