Non-Metallic Materials and Processes Engineer

We are looking for a ​Non-Metallic Materials and Processes Engineer​ on behalf of the European Space Agency (ESA) for their location in ​Noordwijk, The Netherlands​, to join their ​Materials & Processes section​.  

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 interview stage). 

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

• Assess customers’ needs in relation to laboratory/analysis activities; 

• Propose/carry out test methods/setups to satisfy the customer needs;  

• Design and perform non-standard tests to meet special space Projects requirements as well as develop in-situ analysis techniques; 

• Perform all measurements and analyses on metallic as well as non-metallic materials (including all cleanliness and contamination control related activities as well as PCBs and electronic assembly) on a variety of destructive and non-destructive test equipment/tools. This includes also the issuing of dedicated testing procedures and documentation development as well as inclusion of test requests and test results in the relevant Quality Management Systems and databases; 

• Set up and operate equipment/analysis tools devoted to the assessment of space environmental effects. This includes assessment by simulating the space environment (vacuum, radiation, ATOX, contamination, thermal ….) as well as pre/post characterisation by analytical techniques (thermal analysis, chemical analysis, physical and microscopic analysis, surface analysis, spectroscopic analysis, NDI techniques etc.); 

• Use a variety of laboratory tools, including acoustic microscopy, optical microscopy, scanning microscopy, confocal microscopy, XRD, X-Ray imaging, NDI etc., XPS, surface tension, Auger Microscopy, Raman Spectroscopy, Atomic Force Microscopy, IST Testing; 

• Perform mechanical and thermo-mechanical testing (including static, fatigue, fatigue crack propagation, Nano indentation, Nano scratch, low speed impact, hardness testing), also using contact and contact less in-situ strain measurement systems (strain gauges/ARAMIS); 

• Perform all corrosion characterisation testing, including but not limited to stress-corrosion, galvanic, red-plague, general corrosion, humidity/salt fog testing, etc.; 

• Perform all thermal analysis on materials (including thermo-gravimetric, differential scanning calorimetry, thermo-mechanical as well as dynamic mechanical analysis, dielectric analysis, CTE determination, thermal diffusivity/conductivity analysis as well as coupled and advanced thermal modelling techniques for physico-chemical analysis; 

• Support R&D activities with focus on metallic and non-metallic materials advanced evaluation/characterisation/verification methods covering the needs of future space missions; 

• Support the laboratory equipment procurement definition and implementation; 

• Perform all verification activities on Printed Circuit Boards and electronics assemblies; 

• Record sample properties or condition during and after test, accurately and legibly; 

• Review and issue relevant test reports for all performed test activities; 

• Check on test equipment performance and reporting any anomalies or faults; 

• Improve test procedures and ensure that these are executed correctly; 

• Maintain the relevant test equipment, ensuring that the equipment under his/her responsibility is kept in an operational state and all necessary routine calibration and maintenance activities are performed. 

ATG is dedicated to diversity and inclusion and is an equal opportunity employer. Regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, handicap or any other reason protected by relevant state or municipal legislation, we are pleased to consider all eligible candidates for employment. 

Please ensure that your CV clearly explains how you meet the essential 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/metallurgy and/or non-metallic materials or another related field; 

• At least 4 years of relevant experience; 

• Extensive experience in processing/production, testing, and performance evaluation of carbon-fibre reinforced composites and associated bonding and joining technologies; 

• Good understanding of application of simulation tools for mechanical and thermal performance of composite materials towards virtual testing and digital twinning. 

• Good knowledge of general materials test methodologies; 

• Experience in mechanical testing and fatigue life assessment; 

• Experience in defining and executing test plans for materials qualification and process validation; 

• Ability to make decisions for selection of materials and processes for space application; 

• Familiarity with high-temperature materials, including CMCs, ceramics, and hybrid composites, for use in space applications; their manufacturing methods, characterization methods and performance evaluation is considered an asset;  

• Understanding of the mechanical, thermal, and environmental requirements of composite materials in launcher systems and space vehicles is an asset; 

• Specific experience with composite materials used for tanks or pressure vessels, such as fuel tanks, cryogenic tanks, or pressurized systems is an asset;  

• Experience in simulation of thermo-mechanical and fatigue behaviour of composites and simulation of composites manufacturing processes is an asset. 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 is an asset; 

• Candidates must be eligible to work in the EU; 

• 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.