Our team and mission

This position is based at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) - Noordwijk, Netherlands

We are a section/group of around 23 persons providing functional support to ESA projects and carrying out technological research (R&D) in the field(s) of space mechanisms but also in tribology and pyrotechnics. 

Space mechanisms is a very wide and challenging engineering domain requiring specific expertise and for which many topics deserve specific attention, down to the ultimate details.

The Mechanisms Section is in charge of the design, engineering and verification of space mechanisms. 

This entails responsibility for:

• Overall mechanism definition, design and engineering;
• Mechanism performance evaluation, simulation and analysis (including hardware tests where appropriate);
• Mechanism technology research and development (addressing areas such as tribology/lubrication engineering, tribology free and compliant mechanisms, mechanical components including ball bearings and gears, position sensors, pyrotechnics, electric motors, new/alternative actuation principles e.g. by using active/smart materials);
• Mechanism and actuator drive and control concept.
• Critical review of design/analysis/simulation/optimisation/test activities/characterisation/validation (up to correlation of analysis with test results) in the area of space mechanisms;
• Feasibility assessment of new mechanism design concepts;
• Participation in the definition and implementation of R&D activities;
• Participation in the project review process;
• Participation in Concurrent Design Facility (CDF) studies.

For further information visit our web site: http://www.esa.int

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic: Space Mechanisms design, development and testing

As an intern, you will participate in the conceptual design, analysis and development of space mechanisms and/or hardware related to space mechanism R&D. You will provide assistance to ESA engineers working in this area and be given specific tasks.

You may have to use the following software packages: MATLAB/Simulink, CAD design tools (such as Inventor) or other more specialised software tools (FLUX, ANSYS Maxwell, COMSOL, ADAMS, D-Cap, LabVIEW, CABARET, RBS-DYN, OptiStruct etc.) for engineering task, with particular emphasis on: Time and frequency domain performance representation and analysis; Multi-body system modelling and simulation; Design (including topology optimisation) and FEM analysis of compliant mechanisms; Electromagnetic system modelling and simulation; among others.

Furthermore, you may be involved in development, design, manufacturing and test activities using and extending the test benches of the Space Mechanisms Hands-on Laboratory Facility at ESTEC. You may also be involved in prototyping of various mechanisms by utilising additive manufacturing capabilities available in ESTEC.

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

You must have student status and be enrolled at university for the entire duration of the internship. You should preferably be in your final or second to last year of a university course at master’s level in a technical or scientific discipline.

Additional requirements

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.

Additional Requirements:

• Specific competence in one of the following disciplines will be considered an asset:
• Mechanical and mechatronics engineering, with a good understanding of tribology, ball bearings, gears, electrical motors, sensors, smart materials and compliant mechanisms, as well as of instrumentation and testing of electro-mechanical equipment.
• Proficiency in the use of engineering software tools would be very helpful.