Safety Systems Engineer at ESA

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Safety Systems Engineer
Company: European Space Agency (ESA)
Location: Noordwijk, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands
Job Type: On-site
Category: Systems Engineering
Date Posted: June 27, 2025
Experience Level: 5-10 years
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

Safety Systems Engineer responsible for overseeing safety policies, requirements, and standards for human spaceflight missions.
Collaborates with European industry and international partners to define safety requirements and processes.
Coordinates engineering activities for the Safety Review Panel (SRP) and acts on behalf of the Head of the Independent Safety Office when required.
Advises ESA human spaceflight projects on compliance with technical requirements and policies related to human spaceflight safety.
Monitors applicable scientific and technological trends and maintains state-of-the-art expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong background in spacecraft systems engineering and human spaceflight safety, with a focus on ensuring the safety of crewed space missions.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

Develops and maintains relevant safety policies, requirements, and standards for human spaceflight missions.
Liaises with stakeholders to ensure a common understanding and interpretation of safety requirements and hazard control implementation.
Manages and distributes SRP engineering activities to relevant areas of expertise within TEC.
Regularly reports at ESA corporate and program levels on compliance with applicable requirements on human spaceflight safety.
Proposes improvements to working procedures to increase the SRP's efficiency.
Develops and maintains the expertise and technical competence of the SRP members to meet current and future needs in the area of human spaceflight.
Contributes to the definition of technology development requirements and work plans for ESA's technology programmes.
Supports the Head of the Independent Safety Office in conducting other activities within the responsibilities of the Office.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A master's degree in a relevant domain is required for this post.

Experience: Solid experience and a background in spacecraft systems engineering and human spaceflight safety are required. Experience in mission operations safety would be considered an asset.

Required Skills:

General background and experience in the technical domains covered by the position
Solid spacecraft systems knowledge
Experience with space engineering standards, their preparation, and implementation
Knowledge of the industrial landscape, test facilities, and industry best practices
Knowledge of ESA technology programmes and the organization of R&D activities
Experience with ESA safety reviews and associated panel processes
Ability to coordinate disciplinary and inter-disciplinary groups of experts

Preferred Skills:

Experience in mission operations safety

📊 Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials: Not applicable for this role.
Technical Documentation: Not applicable for this role.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The salary range for this position is not specified. However, according to Glassdoor, the average salary for a Safety Engineer at ESA is around €60,000 per year. This range may vary depending on experience and qualifications.

Benefits:

ESA offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, pension plans, and relocation assistance for eligible employees.
ESA also provides opportunities for professional development and training.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are 40 hours per week, with flexibility for deployment windows, maintenance, and project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is an estimate based on market research and may vary depending on the candidate's qualifications and experience.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: The European Space Agency (ESA) is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to the exploration of space, with a focus on cooperation in the peaceful uses of space.

Company Size: ESA has a workforce of around 2,200 employees, making it a mid-sized organization in the space industry.

Founded: ESA was founded in 1975 and has its headquarters in Paris, France.

Team Structure:

The Safety Systems Engineer will report to the Head of the Independent Safety Office.
The role will collaborate with the Human and Robotic Exploration Product Assurance and Safety Team, as well as other relevant stakeholders within TEC.

Development Methodology:

ESA follows a structured approach to safety management, with a focus on hazard identification, risk assessment, and mitigation.
The role will contribute to the continuous improvement of safety processes and procedures within ESA.

Company Website: ESA - European Space Agency

📝 Enhancement Note: ESA is a large and complex organization, with a diverse range of projects and initiatives. The Safety Systems Engineer will play a critical role in ensuring the safety of crewed space missions, working collaboratively with other teams and stakeholders within the organization.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: This role is at the senior level, requiring a solid background in spacecraft systems engineering and human spaceflight safety.

Reporting Structure: The Safety Systems Engineer will report directly to the Head of the Independent Safety Office and collaborate with other teams and stakeholders within TEC.

Technical Impact: The role will have a significant impact on the safety of crewed space missions, working closely with ESA projects and international partners to ensure compliance with safety requirements and standards.

Growth Opportunities:

Technical Growth: The role offers opportunities to develop expertise in human spaceflight safety and related technologies.
Leadership Growth: The role may provide opportunities for technical leadership and mentoring within the Safety Office and across ESA projects.
Career Progression: With experience and demonstrated success, the Safety Systems Engineer may progress to more senior roles within ESA or other space agencies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Safety Systems Engineer role offers significant opportunities for professional growth and development within the field of human spaceflight safety. With a strong performance, the candidate may progress to more senior roles or take on additional responsibilities within the organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: ESA's Noordwijk location is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to facilitate innovation and teamwork.

Office Location(s): Noordwijk, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands

Workspace Context:

The Safety Systems Engineer will work in a collaborative environment, with opportunities to interact with other engineers, scientists, and project managers.
The role will require access to relevant software tools, databases, and other resources to support safety management activities.
The workspace will be equipped with modern technology and tools to support the role's responsibilities.

Work Schedule: The standard working hours are 40 hours per week, with flexibility for deployment windows, maintenance, and project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: ESA's Noordwijk location offers a dynamic and collaborative work environment, with opportunities for professional growth and development within the field of human spaceflight safety.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Online Application: Submit an application through the ESA careers website, including a CV and cover letter.
Phone or Video Screen: A short phone or video call to assess communication skills and cultural fit.
Technical Interview: A technical interview with the Head of the Independent Safety Office and other relevant stakeholders, focusing on technical competencies and experience.
Final Interview: A final interview with the Director of Technology, Engineering, and Quality (TEC) to discuss the role's fit within the organization and answer any remaining questions.

Portfolio Review Tips: Not applicable for this role.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Brush up on spacecraft systems engineering and human spaceflight safety principles.
Familiarize yourself with ESA's safety management processes and procedures.
Prepare examples of your experience with safety reviews, hazard identification, and risk assessment.

ATS Keywords: Safety Systems Engineering, Spacecraft Systems Knowledge, Space Engineering Standards, Human Spaceflight Safety, Hazard Control Implementation, Safety Review Panel Coordination, Technical Requirements Compliance, Scientific Trends Monitoring, Technology Development Requirements, Team Coordination, Relationship Management, Operational Efficiency, Continuous Improvement, Forward Thinking

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for the Safety Systems Engineer role will focus on technical competencies, experience, and cultural fit within the organization. Preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong background in spacecraft systems engineering and human spaceflight safety, as well as an understanding of ESA's safety management processes and procedures.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Frontend Technologies: Not applicable for this role.

Backend & Server Technologies:

Spacecraft Systems Knowledge: A solid understanding of spacecraft systems, their design, and operation is required.
Space Engineering Standards: Familiarity with space engineering standards, their preparation, and implementation is essential.
Human Spaceflight Safety: Experience with human spaceflight safety principles, processes, and best practices is required.

Development & DevOps Tools: Not applicable for this role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Safety Systems Engineer role requires a strong background in spacecraft systems engineering and human spaceflight safety, with a focus on ensuring the safety of crewed space missions. Familiarity with relevant engineering standards and best practices is essential for success in this role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Web Development Values: Not applicable for this role.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-functional Integration: The Safety Systems Engineer will collaborate with various teams and stakeholders within ESA, including the Human and Robotic Exploration Product Assurance and Safety Team, as well as other relevant teams within TEC.
Code Review Culture: Not applicable for this role.
Knowledge Sharing: The role will involve sharing knowledge and expertise with other team members, as well as contributing to the continuous improvement of safety processes and procedures within ESA.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Safety Systems Engineer role requires strong collaboration and communication skills, working closely with other teams and stakeholders within ESA to ensure the safety of crewed space missions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

Safety Standards Compliance: Ensuring that ESA projects comply with relevant safety standards and requirements can be complex and challenging, requiring a deep understanding of both technical and regulatory aspects.
Hazard Identification: Identifying and mitigating potential hazards in human spaceflight missions can be a complex and ongoing process, requiring continuous vigilance and attention to detail.
Risk Assessment: Assessing the risks associated with human spaceflight missions and developing appropriate mitigation strategies can be challenging, requiring a strong understanding of both technical and probabilistic concepts.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Technical Growth: The role offers opportunities to develop expertise in human spaceflight safety and related technologies, as well as to stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the field.
Leadership Development: The role may provide opportunities for technical leadership and mentoring within the Safety Office and across ESA projects, fostering the development of strong leadership skills.
Career Progression: With experience and demonstrated success, the Safety Systems Engineer may progress to more senior roles within ESA or other space agencies, providing opportunities for career growth and development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Safety Systems Engineer role offers significant opportunities for professional growth and development within the field of human spaceflight safety. With a strong performance, the candidate may progress to more senior roles or take on additional responsibilities within the organization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

Safety Standards Compliance: Questions may focus on your understanding of relevant safety standards and regulations, as well as your experience with their implementation and enforcement.
Hazard Identification: Questions may assess your ability to identify and mitigate potential hazards in human spaceflight missions, as well as your understanding of relevant safety management processes and procedures.
Risk Assessment: Questions may evaluate your ability to assess the risks associated with human spaceflight missions and develop appropriate mitigation strategies, as well as your understanding of probabilistic concepts and statistical analysis.

Company & Culture Questions:

ESA Culture: Questions may focus on your understanding of ESA's mission, values, and culture, as well as your ability to work collaboratively with other teams and stakeholders within the organization.
Team Dynamics: Questions may assess your ability to work effectively within a team, as well as your understanding of the role's place within the broader organization and its relationship with other teams and stakeholders.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy: Not applicable for this role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for the Safety Systems Engineer role will focus on technical competencies, experience, and cultural fit within the organization. Preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong background in spacecraft systems engineering and human spaceflight safety, as well as an understanding of ESA's safety management processes and procedures.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Safety Systems Engineer position:

Submit an application through the ESA careers website, including a CV and cover letter.
Prepare for the phone or video screen by reviewing ESA's mission, values, and culture, as well as your own skills and experiences relevant to the role.
Brush up on your technical knowledge of spacecraft systems engineering and human spaceflight safety, as well as ESA's safety management processes and procedures.
Prepare for the technical interview by reviewing your past experiences with safety reviews, hazard identification, and risk assessment, as well as your understanding of relevant safety standards and regulations.
Research ESA's organization and culture to ensure a strong understanding of the role's fit within the broader organization and its relationship with other teams and stakeholders.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and space industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the European Space Agency before making application decisions.

Safety Systems Engineer