Mechanical Engineer – Space Applications

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About the Institute

The Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences (FZU) is a public research institution, focusing on basic and applied research in physics. FZU is the largest of the institutes of the Czech Academy of Sciences with more than 1300 employees, including a considerable number of international workers. The ambition of FZU is to push forward the boundaries of knowledge and to conduct first-rate research in the fields of elementary particles, condensed systems and solid particles, optics, plasma physics and laser physics.

We are looking for a new colleague to join the LISA project team at the position of:

Mechanical Engineer – Space Applications

Project description

FZU is collaborating on space mission LISA, which will detect gravitational waves. FZU is contributing to mission critical space hardware – especially to piezo mechanisms, their development and tests. The participation in other space missions is currently under a discussion. The work is typically done in cooperation with other institutes of the Czech Academy of Sciences and technological companies in the Czech Republic.

Responsibility:

  • Gathering technical requirements, communication with local and international partners, both industrial and academic.
  • Participate on conceptual designs of space mechanisms with special focus on redundancy, thermal stability, vibrations etc.
  • Participate on design iterations of precise mechanisms based on piezo technology and flexure hinges. Other principles are also under investigation.
  • Basic thermal and vibration calculations using FEM methods, cooperation with FEM specialists during design iterations.
  • Participation on mechanism stability/resolution measurement method development, design of test stands, participation in measurements.

Required qualifications:

  • Master degree in mechanical engineering, physics or similar.
  • Experience with 3D design using some of the CAD systems.
  • Experience with FEM calculations using some of the specialized software packages.
  • Experience with precision mechanics design.
  • Experience with piezo technology.
  • English language – advanced in reading, writing, communicating.
  • Excellent problem-solving skills.
  • Good team-working skills.
  • Driving licence.

Preferred qualifications:

  • Space mechanisms development experience is an advantage.

Why should you apply?

  • Working in an international, creative and highly motivated environment.
  • Cutting-edge research topics with high application potential.
  • Working in a multidisciplinary research team.
  • Stimulating and friendly supervising and mentoring environment.
  • Unique research facilities.
  • Training and development possibilities (seminars, workshops, conferences).
  • Soft skills trainings (project management, grant applications, etc.).
  • Language courses.
  • Competitive salary.
  • Flexible working hours.
  • And more benefits such as Multisport card, meal vouchers, cooperate kindergarten, etc.

Terms of employment:

The initial period of employment is 1 year (further extension is then possible and expected), starting as soon as possible, depending of the availability of the applicant.

Application procedure:

Please send a motivation letter, your CV, a list of publications and two references to the contact person below.