Job opportunities
Technical Engineer for the design and test of the electronics, experimental testing and data analysis.
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 object of this call is the selection process of a candidate to fill a position as technical Engineer position assigned to the Promotion of the Catalan Space Sector Area (APEC) of the Institut d’Estudis Espacials de Catalunya (IEEC).
The Catalonia Space 2030 Strategy strengthens the space ecosystem through the launch of satellite missions, the development of ground infrastructures, research and innovation programs, talent promotion, industrial boost programs, and high-value-added services based on space technologies. The IEEC participates in the deployment of this Strategy in collaboration with the i2cat Foundation and the Cartographic and Geological Institute of Catalonia (ICGC).
The space sector promotion functions carried out by the IEEC are developed within the Area for the Promotion of the Space Sector of Catalonia (APEC). APEC contributes to the various pillars of the Government of Catalonia's space strategy and executes activities for the promotion of R&D&I, talent promotion and retention, the construction of key space and ground infrastructures, and the development of services and applications for the administration and industrial sectors. Its goal is to grow the ecosystem by strengthening national capabilities in the medium and long term and promoting international collaboration, while maintaining the entity's commitment to social responsibility criteria.
Project Introduction
LEO and VLEO (Low and Very Low Earth Orbit) missions open up new perspectives in the fields of Earth observation, navigation, and communications, as orbits between ~100 and 350 km allow high-resolution images to be obtained at a reduced cost, minimal atmospheric signal loss, and even efficient space debris management.
Atomic oxygen (ATOX) is a hazard for spacecraft flying in LEO and, especially, in VLEO. ATOX is produced from oxygen molecules in the atmosphere when they dissociate into atoms due to the action of ultraviolet light (<243 nm) from solar radiation. At LEO/VLEO altitudes, the ambient atmosphere is mainly composed of ground-state atomic oxygen. Although the thermal energy of these atoms is low, the high orbital velocity (~7.8 km/s) translates into a translational kinetic energy of 4.5 to 5.0 eV. This exceeds the chemical bond energy of most organic polymers (usually 2 to 4 eV).
The Project
Sensor for Real-Time monitoring of erosion processes due to ATOX in VLEO missions (RT-ATOX) is an internal IEEC project aimed at advancing the characterization of the sensor developed in the following projects:
- ESA project of the Discovery Programme (contract number 4000144432: “Miniaturized sensor for long term monitoring of atomic oxygen degradation processes in VLEO mission”, 2024-2025).
- “Miniaturized sensor for real-time monitoring erosion processes due to ATOX in LEO and VLEO missions (MinATOX)”, 2025-2026. Internal IEEC project.
This characterization will be carried out at the component level and at the system level, including the ASIC developed by the Institute of Microelectronics of Seville (IMSE), in collaboration with the IEEC in the context of a coordinated Proof of Concept project of the AEI (PDC2023-145889-C21 and PDC2023-145889-C22).
The internal RT-ATOX project has 3 main WPs:
- WP1: In collaboration with industry, determination of VLEO orbits of interest and representative environmental conditions.
- WP2: Sensor testing at component level at UPC and ESTEC.
- WP3: Sensor testing at system level using the ASIC developed in collaboration with IMSE, at UPC and ESTEC.
Description of position
- Positions to be filled: 1.Technical Engineer for the design and test of the electronics, experimental testing and data analysis.
- Professional Group: Group II. Engineering Staff.
- Professional Category: Technical Engineer
- Working hours: 37,5 hours week
- Job Location: Space Sciences and Technologies Research Group (CTE) located at UPC - Campus Nord, Building C5.
Functions
The selected candidate will have the following duties and responsibilities:
- Assembly and manufacturing of sensors. Material deposition and design of PCBs and electronic systems.
- Design of acquisition electronic circuits. Instrumentation control.
- Carrying out sensor calibration tests at IEEC-UPC and ESTEC.
Participation requirements and selection criteria
The following criteria will be assessed during the selection process:
- Education: Degree in Electronic Engineering, Physical Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering (GRETST), or similar.
The following aspects will be considered desirable merits (maximum 20 points):
- Experience in instrumentation programming (Up to 5 points).
- Experience in PCB design (Up to 5 points).
- Experience in electronic, analog, and digital design (Up to 5 points).
- Multidisciplinarity (Up to 2 points).
- Experience in physical phenomena modeling (Up to 3 points).
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 consist of:
1. a) Principal Investigator of the RT-ATOX project at IEEC.
2. b) KTO Office Manager from IEEC, or a designated delegate
3. c) PhD candidate from IEEC-UPC, or a designated 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 provisions of Article 59 of the TREBEP, concerning the reservation of no less than 7% of vacancies in public employment offers for persons with disabilities, the IEEC will apply this reservation to candidates who certify a disability of 33% or higher, provided that they are suitable for carrying out the functions of the position to be filled.
Contact and deadline
Interested persons who meet the established requirements can send cover letter and the 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_258_2026" in the subject line of the email.
The reception of applications ends on