Atmospheric re-entry physics Engineer

Job Introduction

Serco is a leading Space Services Provider with thousands of skilled resources that has supported over 50 space missions on behalf of more than 10 Space or Government agencies around the globe, including the ESA and NASA. Serco offers space capability across the full space lifecycle from satellite testing to Launch services, LEOP to spacecraft operations, space surveillance to data management, and supporting downstream application development. With over 55 years history in the space sector Serco is well placed to contribute to National strategies and New Space ventures who want to scale their businesses/organizations with skilled talent.

We are seeking a Project Control Support Specialist to work on our Customers Site (ESA-ESTEC) in the Netherlands. This is a fantastic opportunity to get into one of the most sought-after space agencies in the world. 

The Community You Will Join
You will join the Earth Observation directorate at ESA‑ESTEC, working in an international environment with scientists, engineers and project managers who are leading the development of Europe’s satellite missions. The team focuses on programmes such as Copernicus and Earth Explorers, which are designed to better understand and protect our planet.

The Difference You Will Make
Your work will support the planning, development and coordination of Earth Observation missions that provide valuable data for climate monitoring, environmental research and disaster response. By contributing to these activities, you will help turn satellite data into meaningful information that benefits society and supports sustainable decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

Re-entry Impact Assessment

• • Contribute to the development and application of science-based methodologies to quantify atmospheric emissions, particulate formation, dispersion, and chemical transformations during re-entries, in liaison with the Climate & Sustainability Office.
  • Support the validation and uncertainty quantification of models and datasets used for impact assessments.

LCA Integration

• • Integrate re-entry impact findings into Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) models (e.g., disposal phase modules), enabling trade-off analyses during early mission design.
  • Define system boundaries, functional units, and impact categories relevant to re-entry (e.g., climate change, ozone formation, particulate matter, acidification).

Field Data & Measurement Support

• • Provide technical inputs to field data collection campaigns, contributing to instrument selection, sampling strategies, QA/QC, and protocols to characterise emissions and particle behaviour.

Ground Testing Campaigns

• • Contribute to the definition, planning, and analysis of ground tests simulating re-entry conditions (e.g., plasma wind tunnels, high‑enthalpy facilities).
  • Identify and assess reaction pathways and products relevant to atmospheric impacts.

Modelling Tools: Development & Validation

• • Support development and maintenance of numerical models (e.g., CFD, chemical kinetics, atmospheric transport and transformation models).
  • Establish benchmark cases, datasets, and validation criteria; document assumptions, limitations, and sensitivity analyses.

Coordination & Alignment

• • Support coordination of re-entry impact assessment activities ensuring alignment with ESA’s Green Agenda and complementarity with the Zero Debris Charter objectives.
  • Provide inputs to internal coordination activities across ESA Directorates (harmonisation of methods, data formats, and reporting).

Key Responsibilities Extension

Project Support

• • Provide technical inputs to Project Managers for ESA projects requiring atmospheric re-entry impact assessment (reviews, risk assessments, design trade-offs).

International Collaboration & Engagement

• • Facilitate collaboration and data/best-practice exchange with international agencies, institutions, and consortia.
  • Contribute to community consultations, workshops, and communications (technical presentations, briefing notes, white papers).

Regulatory Monitoring

• • Track relevant legislation, standards, and guidelines on atmospheric emissions and sustainability; prepare internal briefings on implications for ESA activities.

LCA Handbook Development

• • Support the enhancement of ESA’s LCA Handbook sections on disposal phase and atmospheric re-entry, including datasets, methods, and worked examples.

Qualifications & Experience

Education: MSc/PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Atmospheric Science, Environmental Engineering, Physics/Chemistry, or related field.

Experience (5–10+ years preferred):

• • Atmospheric re-entry physics (aerothermodynamics, ablation/fragmentation, high‑temperature gas chemistry).
  • Atmospheric modelling (e.g., dispersion, chemical transformation, fate/transport).
  • CFD or re-entry environment modelling; exposure to high‑enthalpy testing is a plus.
  • LCA practice (goal/scope, inventory compilation, LCIA, interpretation); experience tailoring LCA to space sector preferred.
  • Experimental design & data QA/QC for field or lab campaigns.
  • Multi-stakeholder coordination and technical writing for standards/guidelines.

Tools & Methods:

• • One or more of: MATLAB/Python, Fortran/C++ (for solvers), OpenFOAM/ANSYS/COMSOL, atmospheric chemistry/transport models (e.g., WRF‑Chem, CMAQ, GEOS‑Chem), Cantera/Chemkin, kinetics databases.
  • LCA software (e.g., SimaPro, openLCA), LCIA methods (e.g., ILCD, ReCiPe, EF); data management/version control (Git).
  • Proficiency with documentation and collaboration tools (SharePoint/Confluence/Office suite).

Standards & Compliance: Familiarity with environmental and space debris frameworks; knowledge of data stewardship, FAIR principles, and ESA documentation practices.

Skills

• Strong analytical modelling capability; rigorous approach to validation and uncertainty.
• Ability to translate complex science into actionable engineering guidance for early design.
• Clear, concise technical communication (reports, presentations, handbook text).
• Stakeholder management and collaborative working across Directorates and international partners.
• Systems thinking: understand mission lifecycle and sustainability trade-offs.
• Proactive risk identification and mitigation; disciplined version control and documentation.

Nice To Have

• Publications or conference contributions on re-entry emissions/atmospheric chemistry/LCA.
• Experience contributing to handbooks/standards.
• Familiarity with Earth observation datasets for atmospheric validation.
• Knowledge of uncertainty propagation and global sensitivity methods.

Package Description

• Flexible working policy (hybrid working)
• Comprehensive and competitive benefits plan
• A range of wellness activities and employee assistance programs
• Casual dress code  
• Bike Scheme

Relocation:

• The Netherlands' central location in Europe makes it an ideal base for travel and business within the EU. Major cities are well-connected by road, rail, and air with Amsterdam Schiphol Airport one of Europe's busiest and most well-connected airports, facilitating easy international travel.
• Serco offers relocation support for all EU passport holders that are planning to relocate to the Netherlands and work for Serco B.V.