Thermal Analysis and Verification 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 to ESA projects, programmes and general studies in thermal analysis and verification
• Perform thermal and interdisciplinary analysis to support ESA projects, including product data exchange tasks
• Participate in thermal verification and testing activities
• Participate in feasibility studies, project reviews and evaluation of procurement proposals
• Identify critical development problems and assist in their resolution
• Contribute to the definition of technology development requirements and work plans for the Agency's technology programmes
• Define, initiate and manage R&D activities covering both long- and short-term needs
• Monitor applicable scientific and technological trends and maintain state-of-the-art expertise

Are you eligible?

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

• Education: Master's degree in a relevant domain
• Experience: 5 years of relevant professional experience
• Key skills: Thermal analysis tools such as ESATAN-TMS, Space thermal control engineering, Related technologies, R&D trends and industrial landscape, Project support in a relevant domain, Environmental testing for space hardware, Laboratory or field testing of relevant technical equipment, Preparation of procurement activities for technology development and laboratory technical infrastructure, Multidisciplinary analysis (asset), Software engineering (asset), Numerical methods (asset)

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: 4 years initial duration, may be extended up to a possible maximum duration of 8 years.

Working arrangements: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands.

Hiring unit: Thermal Analysis and Verification Section, Thermal Division, Mechanical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineer….

Position details

Reference

1400048333

Last Verified

31 August 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Thermal Analysis and Verification Engineer at ESA based in Noordwijk (Other). The vacancy reference is 1400048333.

Job Requisition ID:20601

Date Posted:31 August 2026

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

Publication:Internal & External

Directorate:Technology, Engineering and Quality

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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.

Location

ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

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.

Technical competencies

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

Behavioural competencies

Education and professional experience

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.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 2 June 2026, 90 days ago.

The application deadline is 21 September 2026, 20 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 31 August 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.