Would you like to be part of our specialist services group, who have been providing engineering support to space agencies and prime contractors for more than 40 years?

For our customer, the European Space Agency (ESA), we are seeking an experienced Space Battery Engineer with experience of space batteries and related electrochemical energy storage technologies and solutions for space applications to work at ESA’s ESTEC site in Noordwijk, The Netherlands.

Job description

You will be assigned as Energy Storage Engineer to a manpower service providing support to ESA/ESTEC’s Power Systems, EMC, and Space Environment and Effects Division (TEC-EP) within the Directorate of Technical and Quality Management (D/TEC). This division is the area of competence for space power systems including solar generators, energy storage (including nuclear power sources), electromagnetic compatibility and harnesses, and space environments and effects, in support of all ESA missions. For this position most interaction is expected with the Energy Storage Section (TEC-EPB) within the Division.

Responsibilities

Your role will be to provide functional support to ESA projects and carry out technological research (R&D) in the field of electrochemical energy storage for space applications, typically primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells, and supercapacitors for space applications.

The detailed list of tasks include:

• Technical support to Projects - provide expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects, programmes and general studies in the field of electrochemical energy storage throughout all project phases, including:
  • participating in feasibility studies, project reviews, and evaluations of procurement proposals.
  • identifying critical development problems and assisting ESA in their resolution.
• Support to R&D Programmes and activities - provide expert technical support and consultancy to ESA Technical Managers for the implementation and execution of R&D programmes and activities in the field of electrochemical energy storage, including:
  • contributing to the definition of technology development requirements and work plans for the Agency’s technology programmes.
  • supporting ESA managers in defining, initiating and advising on the management of R&D activities covering both long- and short-term needs.
  • supporting ESA managers in R&D activity reviews and meetings and reporting on the R&D activity development, progress and planning.
  • supporting ESA managers in updating the electrochemical energy storage technical dossier, roadmap and harmonisation with European industries, laboratories and national agencies; fostering new application areas for multidisciplinary activities, placing emphasis on innovative concepts, cutting-edge technologies and system architectures.
• Hands On activities in the Energy Storage domain – perform hands on activities, including specific tasks as modelling, correlation of in-orbit performances of (space) batteries.
• Support teamwork coordination and knowledge management - support maintaining and improving the coordination and knowledge management in the field of electrochemical energy storage via the following tasks:
  • participating to weekly Team Meetings.
  • contributing to the dissemination of the results of the activities performed and the transfer of knowledge across the Agency.
  • Introducing any lesson learnt, important information and results from R&D developments, project support and hands-on activities in common repository and in any other ad hoc directories that will be specified.
  • supporting the monitoring of applicable scientific and technological trends and maintaining state-of-the-art expertise
• Support the European Standards - support the definition, review, tailoring and implementation of European standards in the electrochemical energy storage domain.

This is a full-time position located at ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands.

The requested start of work is July 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

What’s our company like?

We are an international company representing world class expertise, delivering complex and high-tech products and services. We value our colleagues and our meaningful contributions to securing people through advanced technology.

You will be part of the Terma Space Division which has for 50 years delivered mission-customized software and hardware products including power systems and star trackers as well as services to the European space market. We have supported a large number of pioneering European scientific and Earth Observation satellite missions and continue to be contracted for the development and delivery of software and hardware systems and services for numerous ongoing and future European, and international missions.

Terma Space operates out of Denmark, The Netherlands, France, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Romania, and the UK.

How to succeed in this position?

The successful candidate shall have:

• A Masters’ level degree in Chemistry, Electro-chemistry, Physics, or Electrical Engineering is required. Alternatively, an (Aero)space Engineering degree with relevant specializations is acceptable.
• At least 4 years relevant post graduate experience in the space sector.
• A general background in, and specific experience in a selected number of, the fields of:
  • Electrochemical Technologies for Energy Storage
  • Energy Storage System Engineering
  • Power and energy budget assessment
  • Cell and battery modelling simulation
  • In-flight data analyses and health assessment
  • Energy storage system laboratory testing
  • Space systems electrical energy and power engineering
  • Fuel cell and electrolyser technologies
  • Supercapacitors technologies
  • Electronics for energy storage systems
• An appreciation and specific knowledge of energy storage safety.
• Understanding of related technologies, R&D trends, and the electrochemical storage domain industrial landscape.
• Knowledge of spacecraft systems in general.

Desirable:

• Experience with support to projects in a relevant domain, including understanding of project phases and organization.
• 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.

Any unanswered questions?

For further information please contact Mr. Simon Mills #LI-SM, Senior Project Manager on +31 6 2326 2398 or by email at ta.space@terma.com.

To ensure that your application will reach us and is properly processed please apply through the link below with an up-to-date Curriculum Vitae and Cover Letter outlining your motivation for the position.

Application deadline: 15^th May 2025

Applications will be processed continuously.

Recruitment is depending on successful selection by the customer.

Please note:

• Applicants must hold all appropriate documentation and permits to work in the EU.
• Applicants are required to provide a copy of their ID/passport and degree/higher education certificate. Terma will validate the certificate with the issuing authority.
• In line with ESA Security Requirements, an official Certificate of Good Conduct (or equivalent) and employment reference checks will be required at commencement of employment. Please attach a copy of any reference letters with your application if you have them.

About Terma:

The Denmark based high-tech Terma Group develops products and systems for defense and non-defense security applications, including command and control systems, radar systems, self-protection systems for aircraft, space technology, and aerostructures for the aircraft industry.

Terma A/S is headquartered at Aarhus, Denmark. Internationally, Terma has subsidiaries and operations in The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Romania, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, India, Singapore and the U.S.