Job Description

Job Introduction

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Serco is a leading Space Services Provider with thousands of skilled resources that has supported over 50 space missions on behalf of more than 10 Space or Government agencies around the globe, including the ESA and NASA. Serco offers space capability across the full space lifecycle from satellite testing to Launch services, LEOP to spacecraft operations, space surveillance to data management, and supporting downstream application development. With over 55 years history in the space sector Serco is well placed to contribute to National strategies and New Space ventures who want to scale their businesses/organizations with skilled talent.



We are seeking a Atmospheric re-entry physics engineerto work on our Customers Site (ESA-ECSAT) in the United Kingdom. This is a fantastic opportunity to get into one of the most sought-after space agencies in the world.

The Community You Will Join

You will join the Earth Observation directorate at ESA?ESTEC, working in an international environment with scientists, engineers and project managers who are leading the development of Europe's satellite missions. The team focuses on programmes such as Copernicus and Earth Explorers, which are designed to better understand and protect our planet.

The Difference You Will Make

Your work will support the planning, development and coordination of Earth Observation missions that provide valuable data for climate monitoring, environmental research and disaster response. By contributing to these activities, you will help turn satellite data into meaningful information that benefits society and supports sustainable decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

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Re-entry Impact Assessment

+ Contribute to the development and application of

science-based methodologies

to quantify atmospheric emissions, particulate formation, dispersion, and chemical transformations during re-entries, in liaison with the

Climate & Sustainability Office

. + Support the

validation

and

uncertainty quantification

of models and datasets used for impact assessments.

LCA Integration

+ Integrate re-entry impact findings into

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) models

(e.g., disposal phase modules), enabling

trade-off analyses

during

early mission design

. + Define

system boundaries

, functional units, and impact categories relevant to re-entry (e.g., climate change, ozone formation, particulate matter, acidification).

Field Data & Measurement Support

+ Provide technical inputs to

field data collection campaigns

, contributing to instrument selection, sampling strategies, QA/QC, and protocols to characterise

emissions and particle behaviour

.

Ground Testing Campaigns

+ Contribute to the

definition, planning, and analysis

of ground tests simulating re-entry conditions (e.g., plasma wind tunnels, high?enthalpy facilities). + Identify and assess

reaction pathways

and products relevant to atmospheric impacts.

Modelling Tools: Development & Validation

+ Support development and maintenance of

numerical models

(e.g., CFD, chemical kinetics, atmospheric transport and transformation models). + Establish

benchmark cases

, datasets, and validation criteria; document assumptions, limitations, and sensitivity analyses.

Coordination & Alignment

+ Support coordination of re-entry impact assessment activities ensuring

alignment with ESA's Green Agenda

and

complementarity with the Zero Debris Charter

objectives. + Provide inputs to internal coordination activities across

ESA Directorates

(harmonisation of methods, data formats, and reporting).

Key Responsibilities Extension

----------------------------------

Project Support

+ Provide

technical inputs

to Project Managers for ESA projects requiring atmospheric re-entry impact assessment (reviews, risk assessments, design trade-offs).

International Collaboration & Engagement

+ Facilitate collaboration and

data/best-practice exchange

with international agencies, institutions, and consortia. + Contribute to community

consultations, workshops, and communications

(technical presentations, briefing notes, white papers).

Regulatory Monitoring

+ Track relevant

legislation, standards, and guidelines

on atmospheric emissions and sustainability; prepare internal briefings on implications for ESA activities.

LCA Handbook Development

+ Support the enhancement of

ESA's LCA Handbook

sections on

disposal phase and atmospheric re-entry

, including datasets, methods, and worked examples.

Qualifications & Experience

--------------------------------

Education:

MSc/PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Atmospheric Science, Environmental Engineering, Physics/Chemistry, or related field.

Experience (5-10+ years preferred):

+ Atmospheric

re-entry physics

(aerothermodynamics, ablation/fragmentation, high?temperature gas chemistry). +

Atmospheric modelling

(e.g., dispersion, chemical transformation, fate/transport).
+

CFD

or

re-entry environment

modelling; exposure to high?enthalpy testing is a plus.
+

LCA practice

(goal/scope, inventory compilation, LCIA, interpretation); experience tailoring LCA to space sector preferred.
+

Experimental design & data QA/QC

for field or lab campaigns.
+ Multi-stakeholder

coordination

and technical writing for standards/guidelines.

Tools & Methods:

+ One or more of:

MATLAB/Python

, Fortran/C++ (for solvers),

OpenFOAM/ANSYS/COMSOL

, atmospheric chemistry/transport models (e.g., WRF?Chem, CMAQ, GEOS?Chem),

Cantera/Chemkin

, kinetics databases. + LCA software (e.g.,

SimaPro, openLCA

), LCIA methods (e.g.,

ILCD, ReCiPe, EF

); data management/version control (

Git

).
+ Proficiency with documentation and collaboration tools (SharePoint/Confluence/Office suite).

Standards & Compliance:

Familiarity with environmental and space debris frameworks; knowledge of

data stewardship

, FAIR principles, and ESA documentation practices.

Skills

----------


Strong

analytical modelling

capability; rigorous approach to

validation and uncertainty

. Ability to translate complex science into

actionable engineering guidance

for early design. Clear, concise

technical communication

(reports, presentations, handbook text).

Stakeholder management

and collaborative working across Directorates and international partners.

Systems thinking

: understand mission lifecycle and sustainability trade-offs.

Proactive

risk identification and mitigation; disciplined

version control

and documentation.

Nice To Have

----------------


Publications or conference contributions on re-entry emissions/atmospheric chemistry/LCA. Experience contributing to

handbooks/standards

. Familiarity with

Earth observation

datasets for atmospheric validation. Knowledge of

uncertainty propagation

and

global sensitivity

methods.

Package Description

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Flexible working policy (hybrid working) Comprehensive and competitive benefits plan A range of wellness activities and employee assistance programs Casual dress code Bike Scheme

Relocation:

The Netherlands' central location in Europe makes it an ideal base for travel and business within the EU. Major cities are well-connected by road, rail, and air with Amsterdam Schiphol Airport one of Europe's busiest and most well-connected airports, facilitating easy international travel. * Serco offers relocation support for all EU passport holders that are planning to relocate to the Netherlands and work for Serco B.V.