You will be part of the electronics department of the Engineering Group. The EG realizes the mechanical, electronic and software designs and is responsible for the realization, integration and testing of the prototypes and instruments for space research. All of your colleagues are passionate for engineering, technology, space research and challenges which require innovative solutions.

You will contribute to future instruments for Earth based telescopes and satellite missions, such that scientists all over the world are able to do groundbreaking research into the universe and our own Earth. Your contribution consists of translating high level science and instrument requirements into a feasible instrument concept. For this, you are able to define the system structure, interfaces and sub systems of the instrument to build. You will have discussions with other system engineers, instrument scientists, the electrical and mechanical designers. Important aspects for such complex designs are reliability, EMI, thermal behavior and control.

You will be part of a multidisciplinary team, in which you discuss system concepts, options and trade-offs for the instrument to build. With the designers in the team you will make sure that the system requirements are properly implemented, tested and documented.

Your project

You will participate in the ESA Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission, for which SRON builds opto-electronic and control hardware. LISA will be the first space-based gravitational wave observatory. It will address the science theme of the gravitational universe. LISA will consist of three spacecraft separated by 2.5 million km in a triangular formation, following Earth in its orbit around the Sun. Launch is expected in 2037.

You have a masters or PhD in electrical engineering and at least 5 years in a system engineering position with focus on analog electronics. Communication and documentation are strong points as well. You enjoy travelling to different institutes and companies for technical discussions or test campaigns.

In short:

• System Engineer with affinity for hardware, space and science
• In-depth knowledge of system engineering
• In-depth knowledge of analog design concepts
• Great team player

The vacancy is based at SRON Leiden. Employment of this fulltime position is by NWO-I (the Institutes organization of the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research). You will start with a temporary contract for 2 years, with the intention for a permanent contract in the future. The salary will be in accordance with the salary scales of NWO-I, scale 11.

NWO-I has good secondary employment conditions such as:

• 42 days of vacation leave a year on full-time basis
• An excellent pension scheme
• Options for (additional) personal development
• Excellent facilities for parental leave

SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research

It is the mission of SRON to bring about breakthroughs in international space research. Therefore, the institute develops pioneering technology and advanced space instruments, and uses them to pursue Earth science, astrophysical and exoplanetary research. The instruments which SRON develops for satellites of ESA, NASA and JAXA require world leading electronic systems, which are very sensitive, highly reliable, low in power consumption, low in noise and high speed.

Why SRON

You will be working on groundbreaking instruments in a closely collaborating team of engineers and scientists. The technology, project and processes are challenging. SRON offers all opportunities for personal development.

About SRON

We have a strong international reputation as 'excellent in space research'. The quality and societal relevance of our science is considered ‘world-leading’. Our mission is to bring about breakthroughs in international space science.

Therefore our Instrument Science Group, supported on project basis by the Engineering Group, technologically enables breakthroughs in our science programmes:

Technology, Astrophysics, Earth science (atmospheric science), Exoplanetary science.