Structures Engineer - Noordwijk

Telespazio Belgium can count on more than 45 years of experience in the field of Space Operations Service & Engineering activities. · We provide a significant contribution to the most major Space programs of the European Space Agency, EUSPA and other Telespazio Groups. · Our core ...

Functieomschrijving

Telespazio Belgium can count on more than 45 years of experience in the field of Space Operations Service & Engineering activities.

We provide a significant contribution to the most major Space programs of the European Space Agency, EUSPA and other Telespazio Groups.

Our core business is to work on the ground to build bridges into space, contributing to the success of ambitious missions.

The European Space Agency is our biggest client and we provide highly qualified employees to many sites of ESA but mainly for ESTEC in the Netherlands, and we provide a permanent contract with great benefits, a good salary, a relocation package along with genuine support to our employees.

Telespazio Belgium has an on‑site service at ESTEC in the Netherlands, and we are looking for a highly skilled Structures Engineer to work there.

Candidates must be eligible for a security personal clearance from an EU Member State national security administration

What is expected from you:
General Spacecraft, Manned Payloads and Launcher Structural Engineering

Assist the Agency in the implementation of Structural Engineering for all Agency projects and programs throughout all the development phases, ranging from conceptual design studies to Flight Acceptance Reviews.

This task includes providing support to projects with respect to definition of specifications, support to design reviews, support to structural test programs, etc.

Assist the Agency in solving specific structural design, and verification issues encountered by ESA projects.

Assist in the identification and implementation of enabling structures technology activities for future ESA missions relevant to the ESA future mission planning, including definition of requirements.

Support and contribute to the establishment and maintenance of relevant Structures Engineering Standards and Handbooks.
Design and Configuration
Support spacecraft and launcher configuration studies for Agency projects. This includes operating CAD tools and participation in Concurrent Design Facility (CDF) sessions at ESTEC.
Perform mass, inertia and balance calculations and relevant budget assessments.

Issue relevant documentation covering all configuration definition aspects, and where necessary shall support the configuration definition by preliminary structural analyses using FEM models.

Ensure CAD interfaces and configuration data transfer with Agency contractors via international standards.

Ensure the interface between the CAD systems and the relevant FEM tools to enable further evaluation of the structural behaviour.

Contribute to the further development of the Structures and Configuration tools deployed in the Agency, including in the CDF.
Support progress meetings and reviews in support to Agency projects.
Support the updating and maintenance of CAD and FE models databases.
Support and contribute to the establishment and maintenance of relevant Structures Engineering Standards and Handbooks.
Structures Static, Buckling/Stability, Thermo-Elastic Analysis
Support the generation and set-up of structural mathematical models using the finite element method for structural analysis problems for Agency funded projects, taking into account the specific objectives of such analysis, covering all structural materials applied in spacecraft and
launchers. Where necessary non-linear approaches and specific solution sequences shall be applied/developed (e.g. Nastran SOL 600, Mecano, Abaqus).
Perform the analysis, evaluate critically the results and issue relevant documentation covering all analysis steps.

Support the generation and set-up of mathematical models for structural elastic stability problems for Agency funded projects, taking into account specific requirements attached to this type of analysis.

Perform stability analysis leading to the determination of buckling loads and deformations.

Where necessary the post buckling behaviour shall be addressed, adequate non-linear approaches used, and where relevant specific solution sequences shall be developed.

Evaluate critically the results, and issue relevant documentation covering all analysis steps

Support the generation and set-up of mathematical models for structural thermo-elastic stability problems for Agency funded projects, taking into account specific requirements attached to this type of analysis.

Perform the interpolation of the temperature maps as resulting from thermal analysis for their employment in finite element structural analysis.

Perform thermo-elastic analysis leading to the determination of loads and deformations, evaluate the outcome in terms of margins of safety and stability budgets, evaluate critically the results and issue relevant documentation covering all analysis steps.

Where necessary nonlinear
approaches shall be considered and specific solution sequences shall be developed.
Evaluate critically the results and the loads and issue relevant documentation.
Structural Dynamics Analysis and Vibration Test Data Evaluation

Support the generation and set-up of structural dynamic mathematical models for spacecraft and launchers of Agency funded projects using the finite element method.

He/she shall take into account the specific objectives of such analysis and where necessary non-linear approaches shall be considered and specific solution sequences (e.g. Nastran DMAPS) shall be developed.

Perform the analysis (modal, frequency and transient responses, random responses, preliminary in-house launcher – spacecraft coupled analysis), evaluate critically the results and issue relevant documentation covering all analysis steps.

Produce advanced reduced models of spacecraft and launchers.
Set up relevant documents and maintain all models and tools required to perform launcher – spacecraft coupled loads analysis.
Fluid / Structures, Vibro-acoustic and Shock Modelling and Analysis:

Support the generation and set-up of dynamic mathematical models for fluid/structure interaction effects, vibro-acoustic and shock response for spacecraft, launchers and instruments of Agency funded projects using the Finite Element, the Boundary Element, and the Statistical Energy Analysis method where applicable, taking into account the specific objectives of such analyses for incompressible and compressible fluids.

The above shall include (but not be limited to) tanks with / without membranes, solar arrays, spacecraft sub system and system models.

Perform dynamic analysis (modes, frequency / transient / acoustic responses / shock responses), evaluate critically the results and issue relevant documentation covering all analysis steps.

Take into account the specific objectives of such analyses and where necessary non-linear approaches shall be considered and specific solution sequences shall be developed.

Support the identification of technology developments in this area aiming at enhancing relevant tools and methodologies.

Dynamic Test Data Analysis and Correlation:

Support the preparation and execution of mechanical tests (modal survey, sine, random, acoustics, micro-vibration, shock, etc) for spacecraft & launchers of Agency projects by performing and/or reviewing analytical predictions and procedures.

Perform modal identification of the test data, evaluate critically the results and make usage of these results for updating structural finite element models.

Perform assessments of shock response data.

Take into account the specific objectives of such analyses and where necessary non-linear analyses shall be performed and specific solution sequences shall be developed.

Damage Tolerance / Fracture Control

Support the definition and implementation of the structural integrity / fracture control and safety policy for spacecraft and launchers of Agency funded projects.

Support the ESA Payload Fracture Control Certification Panel and in the ESA Payload Safety Panel for structural, fracture control- and pressurized systems aspects.

Support the development of tools and methodologies for the evaluation of structural integrity and safety aspects for spacecraft and launchers of Agency funded projects (e.g. ESACRACK, ESALOAD, ESAFATIGUE).

Perform fatigue and fracture mechanics analyses, assist in defining and evaluating relevant test data, and make usage of these results for updating structural material databases, for metallic as well as composite materials.

Support ESA funded projects involving manned spaceflight, including among other payloads and systems of the ISS, in all aspects related to structures development, verification and safety activities.

Support and contribute to the establishment and maintenance of relevant Structures Engineering Standards and Handbooks.

What you offer:
A Master's degree or equivalent in mechanical or aeronautical engineering.
Relevant experience within the field of spacecraft- and launcher structures design, analysis, verification and testing.
Good knowledge in space system engineering, and space engineering standards (ECSS).
Knowledge and experience of structures numerical analysis tools such as Nastran, Patran, Abaqus, ESACRACK etc
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.

What we offer:
A competitive salary
30 days of paid annual leave, plus the days ESTEC is closed including public holidays (~12 days) based on a 40-hour working week;
Hybrid working scheme (3 days in the office and 2 days remote in the Netherlands)
Flexible working hours; you are in charge of your own agenda respecting core working hours
Fully paid collective extensive health insurance scheme;
A good pension scheme with no personal contribution;
A career development (Coursera membership + training budget);
Travel allowance;
Extensive relocation package