Job opportunities

Technical Engineer for carrying out thermal modelling and geometry optimisation

OF_IEEC_237_2026

Publication date

2026-02-06

Deadline

2026-02-26

The IEEC (Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia) was established in February 1996 as a private non-profit foundation (NPO) to promote R&D in the space field in Catalonia. The IEEC is a research institute that studies all areas of knowledge and technologies applied to the space sector and space sciences, including astrophysics, cosmology, planetary science, Earth observation, navigation and space engineering. Its mission is to push the frontiers of space research from the scientific and technological fields for the maximum benefit of society. It should also be noted that the Foundation is attached to the Generalitat de Catalunya (Catalan Government) and forms part of its institutional public sector due to the fact that the Generalitat has a majority participation in the Board of Trustees of the IEEC.

Introduction

The purpose of this call is to carry out the selection process for a candidate to fill a Technical Engineer position assigned to the Area for the Promotion of the Space Sector of Catalonia (APEC) at the Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia.

LEO and VLEO missions open new perspectives in the area of Earth Observation, Navigation and Communications, since the orbits at ~180-300 km allow cheap high-resolution images, minimal atmospheric signal loss and even efficient space debris management. Erosion of materials caused by neutral Atomic Oxygen (ATOX) and/or other physicochemical processes is one of the main problems faced by LEO and VLEO missions.

The long term exposure of coatings and other protective materials to these etching processes therefore represents a very important reliability risk for these missions. In situ knowledge is therefore of key importance for New Space.

IEEC is developing a sensor for the long term in-situ monitoring of atomic oxygen degradation processes of protective materials and coatings in VLEO. The current project is the continuation of the ESA contract:

Discovery Programme (contract number 4000144432: “Miniaturized sensor for long term monitoring of atomic oxygen degradation processes in VLEO mission”, 2024-2025.

https://activities.esa.int/4000144432

Description of position

Position: 1.Technical Engineer for carrying out thermal modelling and geometry optimisation
Professional group: Group II. Engineering Staff
Professional category: Technical Engineer
Working hours: 37,5 hours/week
Working location: at the Space Science and Technology Research Group (CTE) located at UPC – North Campus, Building C5.

Functions

The selected candidate will have the following duties and responsibilities:

Sensor fabrication and assembly. Deposition of material samples on the sensor.
Design and use of the electronic acquisition systems.
Control and programming of the acquisition instrumentation.
Participation in the calibration and testing campaigns.

Participation requirements and selection criteria

The following criteria will be assessed during the selection process:

Education:

Electronic Engineering, Physics Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, and similar

The following aspects will be considered desirable merits (Out of 20 points):

Experience in instrumentation programming (5 points).
Experience in electronic design (5 points).
Experience in the aerospace field (5 points).
Multidisciplinarity (2 points)
Experience in modeling physical phenomena (3 points).

Contact and deadline

Interested persons who meet the established requirements can send the motivation Letter and personal curriculum in PDF format, signed as certification, with a brief description of the tasks carried out in the positions previously occupied, to the email address: RecursosHumans@ieec.cat indicating the reference "Surnames and Name – OF_IEEC_ 237_2026 " in the subject line of the email.

The reception of applications ends on

26/02/2026

Applications that do not meet the requirements included in the cases provided for, or those which are not processed in accordance with the established procedure will not be considered.

Selection procedure

Initially, a verification of the requirements of participation will be carried out and a first selection of candidates will be made based on the documents contributed. Next, if necessary, the shortlisted candidates may be called to a personal interview to expand the detailed information in the curriculum and assess aspects related to professional competences.

The evaluation committee for this procedure will be composed of:

a) Principal Investigator of the MinATOX project at IEEC.
b) KTO Office Manager or their delegate.
c) PhD Student at UPC or their delegate.

Interested persons must have the originals of the certificates accrediting the training and work experience mentioned in the curriculum and must submit them if required.

In compliance with the LISMI, the IEEC will reserve positions for candidates who can demonstrate a disability of 33% or more, provided they are suitable for performing the duties of the position.

In accordance with current regulations on the protection of personal data, we inform you that the personal data contained in your communication relating to this selection procedure will be incorporated into the database of which the IEEC is responsible. The purpose of this treatment is to manage your participation and, where appropriate, the selection of your professional profile in the recruitment processes carried out by the IEEC. Therefore, we will use your data to carry out the contracting processes, to carry out the corresponding interviews, to assess compliance with the requirements for the processes, as well as those actions necessary for the execution of the process and to make effective the recruitment of staff at the IEEC. The basis for the legitimacy of this treatment is your consent, which may be revoked at any time (which means that you will not be able to participate in the selection process in question). The data will be retained during the selection procedure. If you provide us with the data or resume but do not participate in any open recruitment process, do not specify any or have participated in a procedure and have not been selected as a candidate, the IEEC will keep the data for a maximum period of two years., from the date of receipt of the communication, in order to manage your potential participation if any appropriate procedure is opened, eg on your profile. Once this period has elapsed, if you have not been selected and incorporated into the staff of the entity, the IEEC will permanently cancel your personal data. Your personal data will not be transferred to any third party for any purpose, except in cases where it is required by law or by a competent authority. You may exercise, in accordance with the requirements established in current regulations, the rights of access, rectification, deletion, opposition and limitation by sending your request in writing to the registered office of the IEEC (Esteve Terradas 1, RDIT Building, floor 2, Of. 212, 08860 Castelldefels) or by e-mail: protecciodedades@ieec.cat. The applicant must be duly identified in order to process the application. You also have the right to file a complaint with the Catalan Data Protection Authority by writing to C / Rosselló, 214, esc. A, 1r 1a, 08008 Barcelona or at its electronic headquarters (https://seu.apd.cat). You expressly authorize and consent to the processing of your personal data for the purposes mentioned and in accordance with the conditions indicated above.