Participate in the ESA Academy’s Product Assurance Awareness Training Course

This course will equip students with knowledge in Product Assurance (PA) and will teach them how this knowledge is implemented in a space project not only in ESA but also in the space business.

PA engineers are a crucial part of mission operations. They are responsible for ensuring that materials, mechanical parts, processes, and electrical components used in spacecraft and launchers are fit for their purpose over the entire lifetime of the mission.

Given the nature and importance of this role, ESA’s PA engineers are required to have a different mentality than the other team members. While “thinking outside the box” is a cliché for some people, it is absolutely essential for PA engineers. These engineers need exceptionally high levels of perception, forethought, and imagination to anticipate problems and pre-emptively save missions from failure. 

This upcoming PAA Training Course is designed to attract the next generation of specialists needed to fulfil these vital positions. Run by ESA’s current  PA managers and discipline experts, students will discover how PA is an integral part of engineering activities, playing a role in the development, design, test philosophy, building, and operation of systems. Course trainers will also instil in students the unique ethos at the heart of every successful PA engineer. 

Who can apply?

In order to participate, students must fulfil the following criteria at the time of application:

• be aged between 18 and 32;
• be a citizen of an ESA Member or Associate State;
• be enrolled as a full-time MSc (BSc completed) or PhD student in a university (not graduating before the training course);
• be studying for an engineering degree.

Exception could be made for students enrolled in a scientific degree with a minimum engineering knowledge and a clear interest in the management and implementation aspects of space projects.

The selected students will be sponsored by ESA. The sponsorship will cover accommodation and meals as well as up to 200 Euros for travelling to Redu, Belgium.

How to apply:

• Fill in the application form;
• Upload a motivation letter (PDF, maximum 1 page, no images);
• Upload a CV (PDF, maximum 2 pages);
• Upload a formal recommendation letter (PDF, maximum 1 page, including signature, no images) from a university professor or academic supervisor of current university;
• Upload a copy of academic records (PDF, in English, with the university stamp).

All answers and documents should be in English (except academic records if not available).

The deadline for applications is extened until 23 April 2018.

For more information, please contact esa.academy @ esa.int

Schedule of the course (*):

* may be subjected to minor changes