Product Assurance and Safety Engineer (multiple positions)

This vacancy is published to recruit for either:

• an appointment of 4 years, extendable to an indefinite duration; or
• a fixed‑term appointment with an initial duration of 4 years that, depending on performance and organisational needs, may be extended up to a maximum total duration of 8 years.

 

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands  

Description

Product Assurance and Safety (PA&S) Engineer in the Product Assurance Management Section, Quality and PA Product Assurance Management Division, Quality Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

 

The Section provides functional support to ESA projects and technology developments and is also responsible for the development, implementation and maintenance of product assurance and safety engineering and management programmes. It carries out technological research and development (R&D) in the fields of PA&S management, techniques, methodologies and tools. It collaborates in standardisation and training activities and is a main contributor to the ESA Mission Classification Initiative.

 

As a PA&S Engineer, you will likely start by being assigned as support to two or three ESA projects from one or more application directorates. The standard career path at ESA for PA&S Engineers is to become PA&S Manager after a couple of years of satisfactory service.

Duties

You will report to the Head of Section and, within the technical fields described above, your main tasks and responsibilities will include:

 

• providing expertise to ESA projects, programmes and technology development programme activities in the field of PA&S management;
• contributing to the Divisional activities related to ESA Mission Classification definition and implementation;
• preparing and implementing general and project-specific programmatic and technical requirements based on the applicable product and quality assurance baseline;
• monitoring and reporting of supplier PA&S programme implementation to ensure compliance with applicable requirements; this includes auditing activities;
• contributing to management and technical boards relative to the implementation and review of a project’s PA&S programme;
• defining, initiating and managing R&D activities (in product and quality assurance; requirements, techniques, methodologies and tools) covering long- and short-term needs;
• establishing and implementing standards and best practices in the product and quality assurance field;
• contributing to and, when requested by line management, participating in the Directorate’s domains of competence;
• implementing the configuration management system in ESA projects;
• monitoring applicable scientific/technological trends and maintaining state-of-the-art expertise;
• disseminating the results of activities performed and the transfer of knowledge across the Agency.
   

Your duties may include other activities within your field of competence.

Technical competencies

Experience in the technical domains covered by the position Understanding of related technologies and R&D trends, and familiarity with the industrial landscapeExperience in the management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation as an expert in project corporate reviewsExperience with Space Quality Standards and their preparation and implementation

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking

For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook
 

Education and professional experience

A master's degree in a relevant domain is required for this post together with five years of relevant professional experience.

Additional requirements

Solid experience in the technical domains covered by the position. 
Experience in quality auditing or assessor certification would be considered assets.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness 
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. 

At the Agency we value diversity, and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email at contact.human.resources@esa.int.
 
Important Information and Disclaimer
In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level.

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations & eligible to acquire the security clearance by their national security administrations.

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.

Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have. 

 

Nationality and Languages 
Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia. 

According to the ESA Convention, staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the Member States.

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.