Non-Metallic Materials & Processes 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 SMT – Structures, Materials, Mechanisms and Thermal Engineering.
Happiness of our employees has proven key to obtaining excellent results and a client who also regards us highly for excellent service.

Specific Tasks

• Act as Project Focal Point with a non-metallic materials and processes expert role for defined ESA projects, reporting to the Projects Engineering as well as Product Assurance and Safety Managers, including participation to Projects meetings, reviews and audits.
• Support Materials and Processes reviews, Materials and Processes Control Boards (MPCB’s) and participate as Engineering and/or PA Board Member in ESA Programme reviews milestones (including PRRs, SRRs, PDRs, CDRs, QARs, FRRs, etc.).
• Review Declared Materials, Parts and Processes Lists (DMLs, DPLs, and DMPLs) as well as RFAs, RFDs/RFWs, ECPs, etc.
• Perform laboratory characterisation and verification for space use on spacecraft and launchers of a variety of non-metallic materials (including but not limited to ceramics, glasses, polymers, adhesives, coatings, composites and thermoplastics) as well as all associated manufacturing processes.
• Analyse the behaviour and perform failure investigation of non-metallic materials and their associated manufacturing processes using a variety of laboratory equipment, among others NDI, physic-chemical laboratory simulation, testing and analysis, thermal analysis, chemical analysis, physical and microscopic analysis, surface analysis, spectroscopic analysis, etc.
• Support major Non-Conformances Review Board activities, perform failure analysis and failure investigation using a variety of laboratory tools (including acoustic microscopy, optical microscopy, confocal microscopy, XRD, X-Ray, NDI etc.) and drafting of related reports.
• Contribute to the establishment issuing and implementation of standards for the development and the procurement of space grade materials.
• Support the operation and regular updating of the associated management information tools and system databases, including dedicated materials and processes databases.
• Participate to the Division/Section R&D strategy definition and implementation, while supporting issuing roadmaps and strategic papers related to the Division/Section disciplines.
• Support the preparation, issuing and management of the technology roadmaps for advanced non-metallic materials and processes developments.
• Support the definition and implementation of the Research and Technology activities in the domain of non-metallic materials, structural ceramics and related manufacturing processes and coating systems.
• Support the evaluation of proposals for technology R&D activities on their technical merit, consistency and priorities and recommendation for ESA endorsement.
• Support the coordination of technology R&D activities, monitoring of the procurement implementation, evaluation and reporting of the achieved results and lessons learnt to the relevant ESA Directorates and key Partners.

Specific Qualification Requirements

• Master’s degree or equivalent qualification in materials engineering and science, materials physics or another related field, as well as several years’ industrial experience preferably covering aerospace hardware and R&D with strong focus on non-metallic materials and associated manufacturing and applied processes.
• Familiarity with ESA Materials and processes related requirements.
• Understanding of space missions related requirements and capability to propose verification methods including testing, analysis, inspections.
• Materials laboratory hands-on experience related to non-metallic materials and manufacturing processes characterisation/verification and failure investigation.
• Good knowledge about general materials test methodologies and especially experience in mechanical testing and fatigue life assessment.
• Experience in defining and executing test plans for materials qualification and process validation.
• Capability to take decisions for selection of materials and processes for space applications.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to work effectively, autonomously and cooperatively in a diverse and international team environment, defining and implementing solutions in line with team and individual objectives, as well as project deadlines.
• Fluent in the English language (spoken and written). Knowledge of another European language is an asset.

The technical competence shall especially cover deep experience in processing/production, testing, and performance evaluation of carbon-fibre reinforced composites and associated bonding and joining technologies. The following is considered an asset:

• Familiarity with high-temperature materials, including CMCs, ceramics, and hybrid composites, for use in space applications; their manufacturing methods, characterization methods and performance evaluation.
• Understanding of the mechanical, thermal, and environmental requirements of composite materials in launcher systems and space vehicles.
• Specific experience with composite materials used for tanks or pressure vessels, such as fuel tanks, cryogenic tanks, or pressurized systems.

Further, the applicant shall have good understanding of application of simulation tools for mechanical and thermal performance of composite materials towards virtual testing and digital twinning. The following is considered an asset:

• Experience in simulation of thermo-mechanical and fatigue behaviour of composites, simulation of composites manufacturing processes. This can be shown in the form of physics-based virtual testing (e.g. Hexagon Marc/Digi-Mat, MOOSE, DAMASK, NASA-PUMA etc.) or data-driven/ digital twin abstractions.
• Experience in data analytics and application of machine learning software (e.g. PyTorch, Tensorflow, Rapids) for composite analysis.

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 15,4% of pensionable salary to a company pension scheme and employees can optionally make additional contributions.

To be considered for this Position

Prior to 31 January 2025, please apply via our Job Application form quoting TEC-SMT-1072 (RT-C/TEC-MSP/01072) as the reference.

Aurora will agree conditional employment terms and conditions with candidates before presenting them by 04 February 2025, 13.00 hours.

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