Description

Power Management Engineer in the Power Management and Distribution Section, Power Systems, EMC and Space Environments Division, Electrical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

The Power Management and Distribution Section provides functional support to ESA projects and carries out technological research and development (R&D) in the fields of power management and distribution for space applications, both primary or secondary, platform or payload. In particular, the Section covers power system design, power and energy budget assessment, power conditioning and distribution design and technology, analogue electronics for power systems, control of power systems, digital control of power systems, sensing techniques and high-voltage technology and design. Within this domain of competence, the Section is also responsible for coordinating the Section’s laboratory activities in the ESA Space Power Laboratory, together with the Energy Storage Section.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• providing expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects, programmes and general studies in the field of power management and power distribution throughout all project phases;
• participating in feasibility studies, project reviews and the evaluation of procurement proposals;
• identifying critical development problems and assisting in their resolution;
• contributing to the definition of technology development requirements and work plans for the Agency’s technology programmes;
• defining, initiating and managing R&D activities covering both long- and short-term needs;
• fostering new application areas for multidisciplinary activities, placing emphasis on innovative concepts, cutting-edge technologies and system architectures;
• conducting laboratory activities as required;
• monitoring applicable scientific and technological trends and maintaining a state-of-the-art expertise;
• contributing to the dissemination of the results of the activities performed and the transfer of knowledge across the Agency.

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

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

A master’s degree in electrical engineering is required for this post.

Additional requirements

• Experience in the design of power systems at early phase stages of space missions, and the use of relevant tools;
• Experience in power system analysis, including power and energy budget assessment;
• Knowledge of analysis and verification for the distribution system and secondary power system;
• Experience in DC/DC converter design and verification;
• Experience in power converter control;
• Experience in the use of electrical simulation tools;
• Experience in power system support for the launch and early operations phase (LEOP) of space missions.

The following would be considered assets:

• Experience in digital control and FPGA programming;
• Experience in the use of GaN and SiC switches for power conversion;
• Knowledge of power processing units (PPU) for propulsion systems.