Non-Metallic Materials and Processes Engineer

We are looking for a Non-Metallic Materials and Processes Engineer to complete our consultants Workforce Management Service to support the European Space Agency (ESA) at their location in Noordwijk, the Netherlands.

Please note, the successful candidate will be employed by ATG Europe (or one of its subsidiaries). Furthermore, upon selection, they will be subject to a general security screening performed by an external provider (further information will be provided at the interview stage).

The successful candidate will be tasked with, but not limited to:

• 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;  

• 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.

Please ensure that your CV clearly explains how you meet the mandatory requirements. If it doesn’t align completely with the essential criteria, it could result in rejection.

• Master’s degree or equivalent qualification in materials engineering and science, materials physics or another related field;

• At least 4 years of relevant industrial experience, preferably covering aerospace hardware and R&D with strong focus on non-metallic materials and associated manufacturing and applied processes;  

• Materials laboratory hands-on experience related to non-metallic materials and manufacturing processes characterisation/verification and failure investigation;  

• Understanding of space missions related requirements and capability to propose verification methods including testing, analysis, inspections;  

• Familiarity with ESA Materials and processes related requirements;  

• 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;

• Fluency in English, both written and spoken.

Please submit your application in English via the apply button below. Applications submitted in other languages will not be considered.