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.

Overview

The technical support shall cover a wider range of M&P expertise of the following materials classes and technologies:

• 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 Tasks

The technical competence shall especially cover deep experience of the following materials classes and technologies.

• General processing of polymeric materials and their joining technologies.
• Processing/production, testing, and performance evaluation of structural and non-structural adhesive bonding.
• Processing/production, testing, and performance evaluation of carbon-fibre reinforced composites.

Specific qualification requirements

• Master’s degree in materials sciences or mechanical engineering.
• Minimum 4 years of experience in materials and processes engineering.
• Good knowledge about general test and qualification methodologies and especially experience in mechanical testing and NDI.
• 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.
• 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.
• Expert knowledge related to ceramic and metallic materials and processes is considered an asset.
• 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.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Fluent in the English language (spoken and written). Knowledge of another European language 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

• All employees receive good remuneration in line with function and experience.
• When autonomous then teleworking can often be utilised.
• 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 contributes 15,7% of pensionable salary to a company pension scheme and employees can optionally make additional contributions..

To be considered for this Position

Prior to 20 March 2023, please apply via our Job Application form quoting TEC-SMT-928 (RT-C/TEC-MSP/00928) as the reference.

Aurora will agree conditional employment terms and conditions with candidates before presenting them by 22 March 2023, 13.00 hours.

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