Hear from Romain Fonteyne, YGT for ExoMars Rover Operations Preparation
Want to learn more about the various exciting projects YGTs are working on today? We’ve gathered several YGTs to give us the inside scoop of what a day in the life of an ESA YGT is all about.
Tell us a little about yourself
My name is Romain Fonteyne. I am a French aerospace and systems engineer. I graduated from the Institut Polytechnique des Sciences Avancées (IPSA, France) and Politecnico di Torino (POLITO, Italy). Prior to joining the ExoMars programme, I worked on the Mars Science Laboratory (Curiosity) in collaboration with CNES and NASA’s JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) during an internship. This is where my love for Mars exploration began.
What encouraged you to apply to become an ESA YGT?
I remember doing everything I could to get an internship at ESA. Working at ESA was a childhood dream, therefore applying for a YGT position was a no-brainer. I knew it would be difficult to get selected, but this encouraged me to give it my all. Students sometimes tell me that applying is worthless because their chances of success are slim, but I believe that fighting against the odds is the best way to challenge yourself. Applying was one the best decisions I have made, and I am now part of a once-in-a-lifetime mission.
What does your role at ESA entail?
I support the preparation of the operations for the Rosalind Franklin rover that will be launched in 2022. This includes developing processes for all aspects of the mission (from the landing to nominal operations), as well as simulating operating situations and other activities. It involves extensive engagement with scientists and industrial partners to optimise mission preparation.
What is working at ESA like, for you?
Being a YGT at ESA is a unique experience and I consider myself fortunate to be one of them. It taught me about the preparation of extremely complex space missions like ExoMars as well as how ESA works more generally. I had the chance to work on similar significant projects before, but my YGT experience has solidified my desire to continue working on robotic missions and surface operations – but not necessarily Mars missions.
Which ESA establishment are you located at?
I work at ESTEC, in the Netherlands, very close to the beach. It is an ideal place to work and the Dutch cities around the centre are magnificent. It is very different from the other European countries I have been to and ESTEC itself is a really unique workplace.
What is your best memory so far as a YGT?
Among all the good memories I have, the day I visited the Mars yard and the ExoMars rover’s mock-up is one of the best. I was very impressed by the facilities, the multitude of mock-ups… not only ExoMars, but also the ISS and the Ariane launchers. It made me feel like the child I used to be.
What has been the biggest challenge for you?
The COVID-19 outbreak highly impacted my first year at ESA between 2020 and 2021. Meeting with my colleagues and other staff members has been challenging. There are still a few colleagues I have not had the opportunity to meet in person. Of course, working off site daily is not something I envisioned. However, I am happy to say that I feel grateful and fortunate to be at ESA. I regret the situation, but I do not regret my YGT experience!
What advice do you have for future YGT applicants?
One advice that I could give to future applicants is to keep calm and do their very best. Job interviews can be nerve-wracking, but ESA recruiters know how to make the experience as stress-free as possible. There may be many other candidates who are equally impressive, but knowing your own strengths is the key to success.
Hear from YGTs
Want to learn more about the work ESA YGTs are doing today? Keep reading about other YGTs and their exciting projects in this two-part article (part one and part two).
How do I apply for a YGT opportunity?
- Explore our Young Graduate Trainee opportunities here.
- Select the one opportunity that genuinely interests you and fits best with your educational background. Due to the high number of applications received each year, we can only accept a maximum of two applications per person. Should you apply to more vacancies, all your applications will be disregarded. If your profile is of interest for another position, we will share it with the hiring manager.
- Register and create your candidate profile with your CV and motivation letter.
- Apply! You will be able to track the status of your application throughout the process.
Learn more about the YGT Programme.
