Power Conditioning 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 EDP – Electromagnetics Components Data & Power Systems 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 design, development and test of spacecraft power systems for on-board applications. This work encompasses the definition of centralized power systems having overall power levels up to 25 kilowatts, together with their interfaces with respect to solar arrays and batteries, the attendant power distribution/protection equipment and pyrotechnic activation functions. Detailed tasks include the overall system design necessary for the development of fault-tolerant power control and distribution concepts, the detailed design of the power regulators and the identification/use of tools and methods for ensuring dependable design and verification.
• The development of simulation blocks for system analysis (batteries, solar cells & arrays, power control and distribution units) useful for the independent evaluation of critical power and energy budgets (in support to running projects of the Agency).
• Support to laboratory activities concerning design and development or verification of circuits for power management and distribution (solar array and battery conversion electronics, power distribution and protection electronics, power conversion for generic and specific purposes, including redundancy and protections).
• Active involvement in critical R&D activities support (by simulation, worst case analysis and laboratory testing of the overall system or of the most critical sub-units).
• Assisting to the development and validation of worst case simulation blocks for electrical equipment analysis (converters, shunt regulators, current limiters, protections, critical telemetry or telecommand functions) useful for the independent check of the most critical equipment functionality and performances, in support to all programmes reviews where the power conditioning section is involved.
• The development and verification of high voltage design technologies and associated power converters, suitable for application as Electronic Power Conditioners (EPCs) for specialized spacecraft payloads such as Travelling Wave Tube Assemblies (TWTA’s) and Electric Propulsion Concepts.

Specific qualification requirements

• Master in Electrical or Electronic Engineering or Physics. (PhD degree will be an asset).
• Familiarity with simulation software for analogue systems (Mathlab-Simulink or similar) and circuit analysis tools such as P-SPICE or Microcap.
• Electrical power processing background, together with a good experience of digital and analogue electronics and control theory.
• Proven experience in the domain of power conditioning electronics together, with ‘hands on’ knowledge of the circuit design of such systems.
• Experience in the development of computer models, especially with SPICE-based simulators.
• Knowledge and the experience on High Voltage power conditioning for space application constitute an asset.
• Proven experience in Digital Control of power converters.
• Proven experience in FPGA and microcontroller programming.
• Proven experience in the design of power converters with GaN semiconductors.
• Proven experience on space power conversion systems
• Proactive attitude to solving problems.
• Good organizational skills.
• A very good working knowledge of spoken and written English is essential.

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

Prior to  12 December 2022 please apply via our Job Application form quoting TEC-EDP-913 (RT-C/TEC-EPM/00913) as reference.

Aurora will agree conditional employment terms and conditions with candidates before presenting them by 15 December 2022, 13.00 hours.

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