Electronics Engineer (m/f/d)

Max Planck Group; Göttingen; Hybrid; EUR 55,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

The Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in Göttingen invites applications for an Electronics Engineer (m/f/d) to join a team developing space-qualified electronics for a plasma spectrometer. You will design, test, and document analog and digital circuits for space missions, liaising with partners in Germany and abroad.

We expect a master’s in electrical engineering, strong FPGA experience, ESA standards knowledge, willingness to travel, and fluency in English (German helpful).

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
• Extensive knowledge of analog and digital circuit design.
• Experience in the independent development of space-qualified electronics (analog/digital) per ESA standards.
• Experience in FPGA development (Microsemi RTAX or Xilinx Ultrascale).
• Willingness to travel internationally.

Responsibilities

• Design, implementation, and testing of space-qualified analog and digital electronic circuits
• Develop high-voltage control for particle Instrument and TOF mass spectrometer
• Contribute to the development and performance of environmental test procedures for the electronics and the plasma spectrometer
• Contribute to the calibration and the operation of a plasma spectrometer instrument

Skills

Analog & digital design

Space electronics knowledge

FPGA development

High-voltage control

Cleanroom readiness

International travel

English fluency

German knowledge

Education

Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

FPGA tools (Microsemi RTAX, Xilinx Ultrascale)

Job description

The Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS) in Göttingen is one of the world's leading research institutions in the fields of solar physics and planetary research, with approximately 300 employees. The interdisciplinary research focus lies in the investigation of the development, diversity, and dynamics of planets, moons, small bodies, the sun, and solar-like stars. MPS develops and operates scientific instruments for current and future space missions (e.g., ESA, NASA) and conducts cosmochemical laboratory investigations of meteorites as well as numerical modeling on state-of-the-art supercomputers.

For the development of a plasma spectrometer to be flown on the ESA M7-Mission "Plasma Observatory" PMO, the institute is looking for an Electronics Engineer (m/f/d).

This position is subject to financing that has not yet been confirmed. As an electronics engineer, you will work as part of a team on the development of electronics hardware for use in space, as well as its testing, qualification, and documentation. In this role, you will work closely with the project team and external partners both in Germany and abroad.

The position

• Design, implementation, and testing of space-qualified analog and digital electronic circuits
• Develop high-voltage control for particle Instrument and TOF mass spectrometer
• Contribute to the development and performance of environmental test procedures for the electronics and the plasma spectrometer
• Contribute to the calibration and the operation of a plasma spectrometer instrument

Your qualification

• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering
• Extensive knowledge of analog and digital circuit design
• Experience in the independent development of space-qualified electronics (analog/digital) in accordance with ESA standards
• Experience in the development, synthesis, and testing of FPGAs (e.g., Microsemi RTAX or Xilinx Ultrascale)
• Strong understanding of physics and engineering
• Willingness to work in cleanrooms and to comply with the required regulations
• Willingness to travel internationally

You should

• have good hands-on skills for electronics assembly and measurement,
• be highly motivated, have a problem-solving attitude, be a continuous learner, and a team player,
• have experience in space projects (ESA, NASA, etc.),
• have strong communication skills,
• be fluentin English
• have a good knowledge of the German language.

Additional information

• The full-time position can be filled starting 4 Jan 2027 or later. Employment is initially limited in time until the end of 2030, with a possible extension if the project will be continued and if funding is available
• The position is rated in accordance with the Public Service Act (TVöDBund) as EG 13
• Temporary teleworking can be negotiated
• Social security benefits are in accordance with the public service regulations
• End date for application is 31 October 2026

As a scientific institution, the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research offers an attractive international and sophisticated environment with the possibility of implementing one's own ideas and concepts. Moreover, we offer opportunities to reconcile work and family as well as health promotion.

The Max Planck Society endeavours to achieve gender equality and diversity. Furthermore, the Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply. The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals.