Discipline Engineer Mechanical Department; Reserve list

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Job Requisition

Date Posted: 19 February 2026

Closing Date: 12 March 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

This job opening is for the purposes of Reserve list recruitment on multiple positions.

ESA is initiating a Reserve list recruitment process to meet the consistently high demand for discipline engineers in the mechanical department in support of the Agency’s cutting‑edge space projects and programmes. If selected, you will remain on the Reserve list for a period of 24 months, during which you will be fast‑tracked for positions in upcoming projects. While inclusion in the Reserve list does not guarantee recruitment, it positions you as a valuable resource to fill ESA's future vacancies.

When a relevant position arises, your candidacy will be reviewed. In that context, you may be invited to a brief follow‑up interview and, if successful, an offer will be made. No action is required on your part if you are placed on a Reserve list; ESA will contact you directly about relevant opportunities.

The Mechanical Department in the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality provides expert technical support and authority for spacecraft mechanical systems across all mission phases, from early design to in‑orbit operations ensuring technical excellence, compliance with standards and the reliability of ESA missions.

In particular, the Mechanical Department is responsible for providing engineering expertise in the following areas:

• automation and robotics,
• life support and physical sciences instrumentation,
• optics,
• opto‑electronics,
• structures,
• mechanisms,
• materials and manufacturing processes,
• cleanliness and contamination control,
• thermal control (including cryogenics),
• chemical propulsion,
• electric propulsion,
• aerothermodynamics,
• and flight vehicles engineering.

Currently we are looking for multiple discipline engineering profiles who will contribute to the provision of technical and engineering support across ESA programmes and projects.

The Discipline Engineer provides engineering expertise within a specific technical domain. It includes functional support to ESA projects, managing R&D activities, advancing technology development, contributing to the Agency’s technology programmes and fostering innovation. Additionally, the Discipline Engineer supports knowledge sharing and standardisation efforts to ensure quality, consistency, and the effective transfer of knowledge across the Agency. The Discipline Engineer may be responsible for laboratory activities if applicable.

Additionally, the Discipline Engineer may be also covering the role of Technical Officer for a contract.

The elements below highlight the types of responsibilities and tasks that you can carry out when supporting space projects and programmes r specific duties will be further defined depending on the final appointment.

• Providing technical expertise, functional support, and consultancy in a specific technical domain to the Agency’s project teams responsible for the development of space systems and segments throughout all project phases.
• Contributing to the design, development, verification and testing of a (sub) system to meet its technical requirements and integration into the overall space systems and segments.
• Identifying critical development problems and supporting their resolution.
• Applying relevant engineering standards and methods to ensure quality and consistency.
• Providing technical expertise to feasibility studies, project reviews and evaluation of procurement proposals.

• Defining and initiating R&D activities in a specific technical domain for both long‑ and short‑term needs.
• Managing R&D activities in collaboration with industry, including development of requirements, Statements of Work, evaluation of proposals, contract oversight, participation in reviews.
• Contributing to the definition of technology development requirements and work plans in the Agency’s technological programmes.
• Exploring multidisciplinary application areas, focusing on innovative concepts and advanced…