Spacecraft Environment & Charging Engineer

TL;DR

Spacecraft Environment & Charging Engineer (Space): Analyze and predict spacecraft charging effects (external and internal) and assess ESD risks for GEO missions with an accent on components like antennas, solar arrays, and dielectrics. Focus on developing ESD/EMC mitigation strategies, ensuring compliance with space standards, and supporting full development lifecycle from design to in-orbit operations.

Location: Fino Mornasco, Lombardia, Italy or remote from within the EU. Must be eligible to live and work in the EU

Company

Engineering services provider supporting institutional space programs for clients like D-Orbit.

What you will do

• Analyze and predict spacecraft charging effects and assess ESD risks for GEO missions.
• Perform external and internal charging analyses for components and materials (antennas, solar arrays, dielectrics, harnesses).
• Develop and implement ESD/EMC mitigation and protection strategies across subsystems.
• Ensure compliance with space environment and EMC standards (ECSS, MIL).
• Oversee grounding and bonding architectures to minimize charging risks.
• Support full development lifecycle, prepare technical documentation, and collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
• At least 3 years of relevant experience.
• Experience with external surface charging analysis (antennas, solar panels, MLI, dielectrics).
• Experience with internal charging analysis (dielectrics, cavities, harness zones).
• Experience in ESD/EMC protection for harnesses, subsystems, solar arrays, antennas, dielectrics.
• Knowledge of plasma interaction theory, electrostatic effects, photoemission, secondary electron emission, radiation-induced conductivity.
• Familiarity with Space Standards (ECSS-E-ST-20-07C/-20-06C, MIL-STD-461G).
• Capability to oversee grounding/bonding and draft charging/ESD verification documentation.
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken.
• Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the EU.
• Experience with Institutional Programs in Space; good teaming attitude; Windows Office proficiency.

Nice to have

• Experience using SPIS software for charging analyses.

Culture & Benefits

• Dedicated to diversity and inclusion; equal opportunity employer.
• Subject to general security screening upon selection.

Hiring process

• Submit application in English via apply button; early applications encouraged.
• CV must clearly explain how you meet mandatory requirements.
• Interviews with further security screening information provided.