Structures 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:

• Participate in feasibility studies for preparation of specifications and analysis of industrial proposals
• Provide functional support to approved spacecraft and payload projects and conceptual and feasibility studies for mechanical systems and configuration, structural design, static and dynamic analyses, fracture control an…
• Identify critical development problems and assist in their resolution, including evaluation of complete mechanical systems
• Perform structural analyses to support development of structure subsystems
• Participate in major reviews of spacecraft, launchers and payloads
• Establish and evaluate specifications for development and qualification of spacecraft system and subsystem structures
• Participate in definition and execution of Agency standards and technology R&D programmes with emphasis on mechanical system and configuration aspects, lightweight structures, structural dynamics and advanced structural…
• Support activities relating to structural integrity and evaluation of loads during lifetime of structures

Are you eligible?

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

• Education: Master's degree in aerospace, aeronautical, or mechanical engineering, or a related field
• Experience: At least four years of relevant professional experience
• Key skills: General background and specific experience in technical domains covered by the position, Experience in development and verification of space hardware, Project support experience in relevant domain, Experience with Space Engineering Standards and their preparation and implementation, Understanding of related technologies and R&D trends and familiarity with industrial landscape, Experience in preparation of procurement activities for technology development and innovation, Experience in management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in reviews

Contract and working arrangements

Hiring unit: Structures Section (TEC-MSS), Structures, Mechanisms and Materials Division, Mechanical Department, Directorate of Tech….

Position details

Reference

1394402933

Last Verified

23 July 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Structures Engineer at ESA based in Noordwijk (Other). The vacancy reference is 1394402933.

Job Requisition ID:20583

Date Posted:13 July 2026

Closing Date:16 August 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication:Internal & External

Directorate:Technology, Engineering and Quality

Location

ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

## Description

Structures Engineer in the Structures Section (TEC-MSS), Structures, Mechanisms and Materials Division, Mechanical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

The Structures Section provides functional support to ESA projects and carries out technological research and development (R&D) on all aspects of spacecraft and launcher structures, from load derivation and structural sizing to functional space structure design and testing.

The Section’s work covers the full cycle of structural engineering, from mission requirements and verification philosophy to advanced test campaigns and the development of next-generation structures. In addition, the Section drives innovation in structural digital twins, advanced manufacturing, virtual testing and sustainable materials, ensuring Europe remains at the forefront of space structural technologies.

## Duties

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

* participating in feasibility studies for the preparation of specifications and analysis of industrial proposals; * providing functional support to approved spacecraft and payload projects and conceptual and feasibility studies in relation to all aspects of mechanical systems and configuration, structural design, static and dynamic analyses, fracture control and mechanical testing; * identifying critical development problems and assisting in their resolution, including the evaluation of complete mechanical systems; * performing structural analyses as required to support the development of structure subsystems; * participating in major reviews of spacecraft, launchers and payloads; * establishing and evaluating specifications for the development and qualification of spacecraft system and subsystem structures with respect to defining requirements for environment-induced loads, model development philosophy and relevant verification methods; * participating in the definition and execution of Agency standards and technology R&D programmes with special emphasis on mechanical system and configuration aspects, lightweight structures, structural dynamics and advanced structural material technologies; * supporting activities relating to structural integrity, as well as the evaluation of loads during the lifetime of the structures and their impact on overall verification, including the establishment of specifications, design, analysis, inspection and testing; * supporting concurrent design activities in relation to mechanical system aspects; * monitoring applicable scientific and technological trends and maintaining state-of-the-art expertise.

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

## Technical competencies

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

Experience in the development and verification of space hardware

Project support experience in a relevant domain

Experience with Space Engineering Standards and their preparation and implementation

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

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

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

## Behavioural competencies

## Education and professional experience

A master's degree in aerospace, aeronautical, or mechanical engineering, or a related field, is required for this post together with at least four years of relevant professional experience.

## Additional requirements

Experience in the following is an asset:

* Structural digital twins and virtual testing * Advanced manufacturing for space structures * Structural health monitoring (SHM) * Sustainability and demisability in structural design

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 28 May 2026, 55 days ago.

The application deadline is 16 August 2026, 23 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 23 July 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.