This position supports the integration of scientific payloads at ESTEC, the European Space Research and Technology Centre in the Netherlands, operating as a contractor within a high-stakes, international framework. The engineer plays a central role in managing agreements between space agencies, including ESA, NASA, and ROSCOSMOS, ensuring alignment on payload integration and experiment-specific arrangements.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the creation, tracking, and negotiation of international agreements such as the ESA Payload Integration Agreement and Experiment Specific Agreements
- Review and support documentation including Experiment Science Requirements and Experiment Requirements Documents
- Participate in critical payload development reviews, including Critical Design and Final Acceptance Reviews
- Coordinate payload integration into International Partner elements and liaise with NASA’s Payload Integration Manager
- Monitor safety procedures for data and hardware handling, including upload, download, and disposal phases
- Attend and contribute to planning and coordination meetings such as PAI, ICMs, MMTs, and JMMTs
- Ensure timely closure of Certification of Flight Readiness codes according to mission schedules
- Support launch integration by submitting eLRODS data to NASA and preparing Ground Safety Checklists
- Oversee Cold Stowage integration and verify compliance with cargo transport requirements
- Track hardware delivery and return timelines, ensuring adherence to mission milestones
- Produce monthly status reports and integrated schedules to monitor progress and flag potential delays
Qualifications
Candidates must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in engineering or a scientific field such as physics, biology, chemistry, or medicine. Proven experience in managing aerospace or human spaceflight projects—particularly in payload development, integration, and on-orbit operations—is essential. Fluency in English is required, along with strong planning, prioritization, and reporting abilities.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills are critical, as is the capacity to collaborate across technical disciplines. A results-driven mindset is necessary to navigate complex, evolving project demands.
Preferred Experience
- Experience working with international partners in a multicultural setting
- Strong relationship management and interpersonal skills
- Knowledge of an ESA member state language or Russian
- Background in biological experiments or the ISS Biolab facility
- Project Management certification
Work Environment
This is a hybrid role based in the Netherlands, with three days per week on-site at ESTEC and two days remote. The schedule is flexible, allowing autonomy over working hours while respecting core availability. The position offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health coverage, a pension plan with no personal contribution, and generous leave entitlement—30 days annually plus ESTEC closure days.
Additional benefits include a relocation package, travel allowance, professional development support through Coursera and training funds, and full coverage under a collective health insurance plan.
