Intern in the Mechanical Department - Thermal Control Section

ESA; Noordwijk; On-site; EUR 11,000 - 17,000; Full time

Job summary

ESA ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands, is offering an internship in the Mechanical Department - Thermal Control Section. The role covers space thermal control engineering, including design, analysis, cryogenics, heat transfer, thermal protection, and advanced technologies for small satellites.

You must be a Master’s student and enrolled for the full duration of the internship, with English or French proficiency; other ESA languages are a plus.

Qualifications

• Must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of a Master’s program.
• Enrollment at your university for the entire duration of the internship.
• Good knowledge of English or French; knowledge of another ESA language is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Perform thermal design and analyses using ESA tools (ESATAN-TMS).
• Investigate cryogenic technologies for future spacecraft.
• Research heat transfer and rejection methods for thermal control.
• Explore thermal protection technologies for missions (reusable/ablative).
• Assess tunable coatings and phase-change materials for small satellites.

Skills

Thermal design

Cryogenics

Heat transfer

Thermal protection

Space thermal tech

Education

Master's student

Final year

Tools

ESATAN-TMS

Job description

• Intern in the Mechanical Department - Thermal Control Section
• ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
• Type of Appointment: Intern

Our team and mission

Thermal Control Section (TEC-MTT): The section is responsible for all ESA activities related to thermal engineering, related R&D activities and hardware for the thermal control of space systems. It is the centre of competence within the Agency for design and verification of passive and active thermal control systems, cryogenics and refrigeration, heat transport, heat storage and rejection, thermal insulations and thermal protection.

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Space Thermal Control Engineering, covering one or several of the activities below:

1. Thermal Design & Analysis: Perform thermal design and associated analysis, including steady state/transient analyses of instrument and satellites following familiarisation with project requirements and Agency’s tools (ESATAN-TMS). This may also include in-flight correlation of thermal analysis models for ESA projects;
2. Cryogenics: Investigate cryogenic technologies (active and passive coolers) for applications in future ESA spacecraft and launchers;
3. Heat Transfer & Heat Rejection: Investigate heat transport technologies such as capillary and mechanically pumped two-phase loops, single-phase loops, heat pipes for thermal control;
4. Thermal Protection: Investigate thermal protection technologies (both re-usable and ablative) for on-going and future missions (e.g. planetary exploration and sample return missions) and re-usable launchers;
5. Generic thermal control technologies: Investigate innovative and advanced technologies for the Thermal Control Subsystem e.g. tunable infrared emittance coatings with electrochromic-based solutions, phase-change materials, heat pumps, etc. Investigate specific thermal technologies for small satellites and CubeSats.

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of university course at Master's level. In addition, you must be able to prove that you will be enrolled at your university for the entire duration of the internship.

Additional requirements

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

During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests.

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.

Nationality

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