Thermal/Cryogenics 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 control and cryogenics throughout all project phases
• Participate in feasibility studies, project reviews and evaluation of procurement proposals
• Perform analyses to support thermal subsystem definition, including cryogenic aspects and interfaces
• Participate in thermal testing activities and correlate analysis and test results
• Identify critical development problems and assist in their resolution
• Contribute to definition of technology development requirements and work plans for technology programmes
• Define, initiate and manage R&D activities covering long- and short-term needs
• Foster new application areas for multidisciplinary activities with emphasis on innovative concepts and cutting-edge technologies

Are you eligible?

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

• Education: Master's degree in mechanical engineering or physics
• Experience: At least four years of relevant professional experience; experience in spacecraft thermal engineering and cryogenics is mandatory
• Key skills: General background and experience in thermal control and cryogenics technical domains, Hands-on hardware experience, Understanding of related technologies, R&D trends and industrial landscape, Project support experience in relevant domain, Environmental testing for space hardware, Preparation of procurement activities for technology development and innovation, Management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in reviews, Space Engineering Standards preparation and implementation, Knowledge of space thermal control analysis tools such as ESATAN-TMS

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: 4 years, extendable to indefinite.

Hiring unit: Thermal Control Section, Thermal Division, Mechanical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

Position details

Reference

1455956033

Last Verified

10 November 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Thermal/Cryogenics Engineer at ESA based in Noordwijk (Other). The vacancy reference is 1455956033.

Job Requisition ID:21204

Date Posted:10 November 2026

Closing Date:1 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

Thermal/Cryogenics Engineer in the Thermal Control Section, Thermal Division, Mechanical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

The Thermal Control Section provides functional support to ESA projects and carries out technological research and development (R&D) in the field of thermal control, including cryogenics, two-phase heat transport and thermal protection. The Section is part of a key centre of competence in space thermal engineering, covering the complete temperature range, and is staffed with more than 25 engineers supporting all ESA projects and the development of thermal hardware technologies

The Section offers a unique opportunity to contribute on the thermal challenges needed for ESA missions, spacecraft, instruments and equipment, and it is very active in knowledge management.

Duties

Reporting 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 control and cryogenics throughout all project phases; - participating in feasibility studies, project reviews and evaluation of procurement proposals; - performing analyses as required to support the thermal subsystem definition, including cryogenic aspects and interfaces where relevant; - participating in thermal testing activities and correlating analysis and test results; - 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; - fostering new application areas for multidisciplinary activities, placing emphasis on innovative concepts, cutting-edge technologies and system architectures; - conducting laboratory activities as required; - 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; - possibly supporting other activities within your field of expertise.

Technical competencies

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

Hands-on hardware experience

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

Project support experience in a relevant domain

Environmental testing for space hardware

Experience in the preparation of procurement activities for technology development and innovation (Statements of Work, proposal evaluation, etc.)

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

Experience with Space Engineering Standards and their preparation and implementation

Behavioural competencies

Education and professional experience

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

Additional requirements

Experience in spacecraft thermal engineering, related technologies and a general knowledge of space thermal control analysis tools e.g. ESATAN-TMS, is required. Experience in cryogenics is mandatory.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 10 November 2026, today.

The application deadline is 1 December 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 10 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.