Senior Science Operations 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 within ESAC.

Overview

The post holder will support Euclid Science Operations.

Main tasks and activities are:

• Support to payload calibration activities including analysis of data from on-ground test activities.
• Support to instrument operations preparations including Performance Verification phase plan preparation and instrument operations modelling for the SOC commanding system.
• SOC operations preparation including the creation and validation of SOC operational procedures for downlink operations (routine telemetry processing, quick look and trend analysis) and uplink operations (generation of commanding requests).
• Participation in System Operational Validation Tests and other on-ground test campaigns.
• Testing and validation of new deliveries of SOC software, including regression testing.

Specific qualification requirements

• A University degree or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science or in equivalent relevant fields.
• Several years of relevant working experience.
• Calibration and data analysis for CCD and near-infrared instrumentation.
• Science and payload operations for space missions.
• Handling common astronomical file formats e.g. FITS.
• A background in astronomy and experience with Python applications
  with good broad knowledge of Python is beneficial.
• Strong experience with working with ESA Standards.
• A high level of written and spoken English is essential. Fluency in Spanish also desirable.
• Excellent organisation skills for projects execution and associated documentation.

Legal and Security Requirements

• All applicants must be legally allowed to work in Spain without the need to obtain a work visa. Only European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) and SWISS citizens can be employed by Aurora in Spain.
• 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.
• In line with ESA’s security requirements, 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, and Aurora will validate your employment history.

Location

It is expected that the work will be performed at the ESAC, the European Space Astronomy Centre at Villafranca del Castillo, near Madrid (Spain).

Contract

• The selected candidate will receive good remuneration  in line with ESA Job Class.
• You will be registered for both social security and tax in Spain.
• The standard working hours are 40 per week. There are 12 public holidays and an additional 30 annual days holiday.
• In addition to public health services Aurora provides private medical insurance in Spain.
• Training to improve efficiency and provide strength for future career are of course included.
• Aurora can assist financially and provide recent experience information for relocation.

To be considered for this Position

Prior to 8 October 2019, please send 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. Alex Jeanes at email alexjeanes@aurora.nl quoting reference SCO-175 (RT-S/SCI-ODE/00175).

Please read our Recruitment Process for ESA for more details.

Aurora will agree conditional employment terms and conditions with candidates before presenting their detailed technical proposal to ESA by 14 October 2019, 13:00 hours.

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