Senior Industrialisation Engineer

Overview

Senior Industrialisation Engineer at European Space Agency - ESA

Job Requisition ID : 19815

Date Posted : 18 September 2025

Closing Date : 9 October : 59 CET / CEST

Publication : Internal & External

Type of Contract : Fixed-Term

Directorate : Technology, Engineering and Quality

Workplace : Noordwijk, NL

Grade Band : A2 - A4

This is a fixed-term position with an initial duration of 4 years. Depending upon performance and organisational needs, the contract may be extended up to a possible maximum duration of 8 years. The appointment for this position will begin no earlier than 1 January 2026.

Location : ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description : Senior Industrialisation Engineer in the Future Engineering Division, Systems Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality. The European space sector is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by the urgent need for serial production, resilient supply chains and advanced design for manufacturing capabilities. ESA is evolving from a traditional prototype-driven mindset to one that embraces scalable, modular and intelligent production ecosystems. We TEC you to the Future. The Centre of Competence empowers ESA and European industry to industrialise smarter, faster and together – ensuring competitiveness, sovereignty and sustainability in the global space economy.

The opportunity : a legacy-defining role

As Senior Industrialisation Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of ESA and European industry. This is a unique opportunity to lead a fundamental transformation, guiding the sector from traditional prototype-driven methodologies toward a scalable, intelligent and sustainable production ecosystem. You will be at the forefront of establishing a new era of space design and MAIT (manufacturing, assembly, integration and testing), directly contributing to the competitiveness and strategic independence of ESA Member States. You will lead the newly established Centre of Competence for Manufacturing, steering a team of industrialisation engineers and driving a comprehensive ESA-wide industrialisation strategy across all directorates and programmes.

Duties

• Under the direct authority of the Head of the Future Engineering Division, you, as Senior Industrialisation Engineer, will be responsible for the following :
• Serving as the architect of the future : define and implement ESA-wide industrialisation strategy across all directorates and programmes, setting the vision for the next generation of space manufacturing.
• Driving pace production : support serial production of spacecraft, ground support equipment and launchers, enabling rapid and cost-effective access to space.
• Pioneering advanced automation : enable industrialised assembly, integration and test (AIT) through automation, robotics and AI, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in space manufacturing.
• Building infrastructure for innovation : develop shared infrastructure and propose facility blueprints for scalable production, creating the foundation for a thriving space industry.
• Define new standards : shape and define new ECSS-I standards. Foster standardisation via the new ECSS-I branch and promote modular, interoperable architectures, leading the charge for industry-wide best practices.
• Certifying industrial excellence : assess and certify industrial readiness, including manufacturing readiness levels (MRLs) and digital maturity, ensuring that European companies meet the highest standards of quality and efficiency.
• Championing sustainability : promote sustainability in close alignment with the TEC-SFS Sustainability Engineering Section and the Clean Space Office, including zero-debris compliance and circular manufacturing.
• Your tasks and responsibilities extend to establishing the Centre of Competence for Manufacturing and Serial Production, acting as the main point of contact for industrialisation and serial production matters, and coordinating with ESA programmes and directorates to support industrialisation activities.
• Coordinating with ESA programmes, directorates and external initiatives to align and support industrialisation, and facilitating collaboration between European manufacturers, production experts and ESA technical experts to optimise supply chains, improve manufacturing efficiency and reduce costs.
• Driving the adoption of advanced production techniques, automation and quality control to enable efficient, high-quality and cost-effective series production for space and ground systems.
• Developing and implementing specialised training, digital maturity assessments and best practice benchmarks to enhance industrialisation competencies within the space sector.
• Establishing facilities such as a model factory and testbed to demonstrate and validate advanced manufacturing technologies.
• Developing digital frameworks, such as product passports to support traceability and circularity, as well as supply chain resilience.
• Contributing to the Agency’s industrialisation strategy and policy, including the evolution of relevant standards (e.g. ECSS-I).
• Building strategic relationships with industry, Member States and agencies to foster a unified, innovative and robust industrial ecosystem.
• Supporting the creation of new industrial capabilities for the development of space products and applications.
• Coordinating goals for scaling up production, including demand forecasting, budgeting and potential acquisitions or facility expansions.
• Representing industrialisation expertise in design studies, trade-offs and technology transfer programmes, promoting modular and scalable approaches.
• Mapping ESA’s current industrialisation activities (GSTP, ARTES, NAVISP, etc.)
• Launching pilot activities and thematic working groups.
• Establishing a digital twin of ESA’s industrial ecosystem.
• Exploring a flagship industrialisation and AI-driven production line for launchers and constellations.
• Supporting the Agency’s tendering processes in assessing industry’s ability to deliver equipment, in particular for a large number of systems / equipment.

Qualifications and experience

Behavioural competencies

Education

A master’s degree in a relevant domain is required for this post.

Additional Requirements

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness

ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. Applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics are welcome. We particularly encourage applications from women and candidates with disabilities. The Human Resources Department can provide additional support during the recruitment process if needed.

Important Information and Disclaimer

In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). If the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level. Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology and hardware subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations and eligible to acquire security clearance. The Agency may require selection tests during recruitment and basic screening before appointment. ESA is transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position. The information published on ESA’s careers site is correct at the time of publication but may not address all questions.

Nationality and Languages

Applications are considered from nationals of listed States. The working languages are English and French; knowledge of another Member State language is an asset.

Note : The following sections contain postings of other roles and pages; these are not part of the current job description.

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