Electric Propulsion Engineer - European Space Agency (Noordwijk)

About this position

The summary below is published by European Space Agency on the official vacancy notice. Our own analysis — salary realism, comparable openings, career trajectory, language profile — follows further down the page.

Key responsibilities

According to the vacancy notice, the role centres on the following duties:

• Provide expert technical support and consultancy in electric propulsion to Agency project teams
• Participate in feasibility studies, project reviews and evaluation of procurement proposals
• Identify critical development problems and assist in their resolution
• Promote use of relevant technical standards and best engineering practices
• Contribute to preparation of R&D plans, roadmaps, strategies and processes
• Identify opportunities for technology development within the technical domain
• Define, initiate and manage R&D activities in electric propulsion
• Foster new application areas for multidisciplinary activities

Are you eligible?

Check these requirements from the notice before investing time in an application:

• Education: Master's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or physics
• Experience: At least 10 years of relevant professional experience; minimum of several years of experience in supervising the development and AIV of electric propulsion systems, thrusters and components for spacecraft applications; practical experience in the operation and use of propulsion test facilities for low-thrust applications
• Key skills: General spacecraft and space transportation systems knowledge, including space logistics knowledge, Knowledge of design, development and validation of in-space electric propulsion including testing, Understanding of related technologies, R&D trends and the industrial landscape, Knowledge of procurement processes for technology development and innovation, Knowledge about the management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in reviews, Knowledge about space engineering standards and their preparation and implementation

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: 4 years, extendable to indefinite.

Hiring unit: Electric Propulsion Section, Propulsion, Aerothermodynamics and Flight Vehicles Engineering Division, Mechanical Depart….

Position details

Reference

1456370933

Last Verified

12 November 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Electric Propulsion Engineer at ESA based in Noordwijk (Other). The vacancy reference is 1456370933.

Job Requisition ID:21203

Date Posted:11 November 2026

Closing Date:2 December 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication Method:Internal & External

Type of Appointment (learn more):4 years, extendable to indefinite

Directorate:Technology, Engineering and Quality

Location ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description

As Electric Propulsion Engineer, you will report to the Head of the Electric Propulsion Section, under the Propulsion, Aerothermodynamics and Flight Vehicles Engineering Division, Mechanical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

Your role will encompass technology research and development (R&D) and project support in the field of electric propulsion. You will be expected to undertake the technical support activities for ESA projects and to lead ESA R&D contracts, with a particular emphasis on innovative technologies, currently envisaged for application on planned ESA missions, e.g. micro-propulsion for drag-free and flight formation, propulsion for LEO constellations, navigation, Earth observation and telecommunications missions, and high-power propulsion for interplanetary missions.

In addition, you will be in charge of managing test activities at the ESA Propulsion Laboratory, reporting to the Head of the Electric Propulsion Section and Laboratory Manager.

The Electric Propulsion Section is responsible for the architecture, engineering, research and development and testing of electric propulsion systems for all space vehicles dedicated to Earth observation, navigation, telecommunications, science and exploration missions and space safety, together with related IOD/IOV mission space vehicles. The Electric Propulsion Section is responsible for conveying its technical domain contribution to systems engineering, operations engineering and multidisciplinary technological developments.

In addition, the Section supports technology harmonisation and leads the definition of the technology development roadmaps for future activities.

Duties

You will report to the Head of Section, and in the above technical areas, your main tasks and responsibilities will include the following:

Provision of expert technical support to projects

- Providing expert technical support and consultancy in electric propulsion to the Agency project teams responsible for the development of spacecraft throughout all the project phases; - Participating in feasibility studies, project reviews and the evaluation of procurement proposals; - Identifying critical development problems and assisting in their resolution; - Promoting the use of relevant technical standards and best engineering practices, innovative methodologies and solutions in projects.

Definition, initiation and management of R&D activities

- Contributing to the preparation of R&D plans, roadmaps, strategies and processes to address user and programme needs; - Identifying opportunities for technology development within the technical domain, including technology trends in other industries and their adaptation to the space field; - Defining, initiating and managing R&D activities covering experimental investigations and engineering developments in electric propulsion for both long- and short-term needs; - Fostering new application areas for multidisciplinary activities, with the emphasis on innovative concepts and cutting-edge technologies.

Test management

- Managing test activities at the ESA Propulsion Laboratory, including Test Reviews (TRR, TRB); - Knowledge building and transfer; - Monitoring applicable scientific and technological trends and maintaining state-of-the-art expertise; - Contributing to dissemination of the results of activities performed and the transfer of knowledge across the Agency; - Mentoring Junior Professionals, EGTs and interns.

Your duties may also include performing other activities within your field of competence.

Technical competencies

General spacecraft and space transportation systems knowledge, including space logistics knowledge

Knowledge of design, development and validation of in-space electric propulsion including testing

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

Knowledge of procurement processes for technology development and innovation (statements of work, proposal evaluation, etc.)

Knowledge about the management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in reviews

Knowledge about space engineering standards and their preparation and implementation

Behavioural competencies

Education and professional experience

A master's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or physics is required for this post together with at least 10 years of relevant professional experience.

Additional requirements

- A minimum of several years of experience in supervising the development and AIV of electric propulsion systems, thrusters and components for spacecraft applications - Practical experience is also required in the operation and use of propulsion test facilities for low-thrust applications - A comprehensive system background, including an appreciation of the state of the art in innovative space propulsion, would be considered an advantage for the position.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 11 November 2026, 1 day ago.

The application deadline is 2 December 2026, 18 days from today. Late applications are not accepted, so submit through the official EU Careers portal well in advance.

Last verified against the EU Careers feed on 12 November 2026.

Where to learn more

For headcount, mission, and other open vacancies at ESA see the ESA institution page; for the cost of living, correction coefficient, and other postings in Noordwijk see our Noordwijk location page.

New to EU careers? Our beginner's guide walks through entry routes, EPSO competitions, and what to prepare. For application logistics see application tips and EPSO competitions.