Thermal Analysis and Verification Engineer, Noordwijk, Netherlands

EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY; Netherlands; On-site; EUR 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

European Space Agency seeks a Thermal Analysis and Verification Engineer to join the Thermal Analysis and Verification Section of the Mechanical Department in the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality. The role involves thermal analyses, verification by tests, and interdisciplinary studies across ESA projects.

A master’s degree and at least five years of relevant experience are required. Knowledge of ESATAN-TMS and space thermal control engineering is highly valued.

Qualifications

• Master's degree and 5+ years of relevant professional experience.
• Knowledge of thermal analysis tools such as ESATAN-TMS and space thermal control engineering.
• Understanding of technologies, R&D trends and the industrial landscape.
• Project support experience in a relevant domain.
• Environmental testing for space hardware.
• Experience with laboratory or field testing of relevant technical equipment.
• Experience in procurement activities for technology development and lab infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects in thermal analysis and verification.
• Perform thermal and interdisciplinary analyses to support ESA projects.
• Participate in thermal verification and testing activities.
• Contribute to feasibility studies and evaluation of procurement proposals.
• Identify development problems and assist in their resolution.
• Define technology development requirements and work plans for programmes.
• Initiate and manage R&D activities for long- and short-term needs.
• Monitor scientific and technological trends and share knowledge across the Agency.

Skills

Result Orientation

Operational Efficiency

Fostering Cooperation

Relationship Management

Continuous Improvement

Forward Thinking

Education

Master's degree in a relevant domain

Tools

ESATAN-TMS

Job description

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Thermal Analysis and Verification Engineer

Job Requisition ID: 20601

Date Posted: 31 August 2026

Closing Date: 21 September 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Directorate: Technology, Engineering and Quality

This is a fixed-term appointment with an initial duration of 4 years. Depending upon performance and organisational needs, the appointment may be extended up to a possible maximum duration of 8 years.

Description

Thermal Analysis and Verification Engineer in the Thermal Analysis and Verification Section, Thermal Division, Mechanical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

The Thermal Analysis and Verification Section provides functional support to ESA projects and carries out technological research and development (R&D) in the field of thermal analysis methods and tools, as well as interdisciplinary analysis in the mechanical domain and related product data exchange. It is also responsible for the Mechanical Systems Laboratory, which provides support to ESA projects and external customers in the area of thermal and mechanical verification by test.

The Section is part of the Thermal Division, a key centre of competence in space thermal engineering. The Division covers the complete temperature range and is staffed with around 45 engineers supporting all ESA projects and the development of thermal technologies and methodologies. The Section offers, as such, a unique opportunity to contribute on the thermal challenges faced by ESA missions, spacecraft, instruments and equipment.

Duties

You will report to the Head of Section and within the technical fields described above, your main tasks and responsibilities will include:

• providing expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects, programmes and general studies in the field of thermal analysis (including related methods, tools and product data exchange) and verification throughout all project phases;
• performing thermal and interdisciplinary analysis to support ESA projects, including product data exchange tasks;
• participating in thermal verification and testing activities;
• participating in feasibility studies, project reviews and 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;
• monitoring applicable scientific and technological trends and maintaining state-of-the-art expertise;
• contributing to the dissemination of the results of the activities performed and the transfer of knowledge across the Agency.

Duties may also include supporting other activities within your field of expertise.

General background and specific experience in the technical domains covered by the position

Knowledge of thermal analysis tools such as ESATAN-TMS, as well as knowledge of space thermal control engineering

Understanding of and practical experience with related technologies, R&D trends and the industrial landscape

Project support experience in a relevant domain

Environmental testing for space hardware

Experience with laboratory or field testing of relevant technical equipment

Experience in the preparation of procurement activities for technology development and laboratory technical infrastructure

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

A master's degree in a relevant domain is required for this post together with 5 years of relevant professional experience.

Additional requirements

Knowledge of and interest in multidisciplinary analysis, software engineering, and numerical methods would be considered an asset.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.

At the Agency we value diversity, and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email at [e-mail] .

Important Information and Disclaimer
In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level.

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations & eligible to acquire the security clearance by their national security administrations.

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.

Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.

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

According to the ESA Convention, staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the Member States.

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.