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Science Operations Engineer Auxiliary Data Handling Cross Mission Support Office
2015-05-21 16:05:08| Space-careers.com Jobs RSS
Serco is a FTSE 250 international service company that improves the quality and efficiency of essential services that matter to millions of people around the world. The work we do for national and local governments involves us in the most important areas of public services, including science and defence. Sercos space heritage over the last 40 years has placed us in the Space News Top 50 Space Industry Manufacturing and Services Companies. With over 1500 staff in the space business covering a wide spectrum of experience and skills, we convey best practice, expertise and innovation in our business. For our activities in ESAC, we are currently looking for a Science Operations Engineer Auxiliary Data Handling Cross Mission Support Office. Tasks and Responsibilities For missions with already established set ups i.e. MEX, VEX, Rosetta, minimal effort is expected to maintain the existing services. However, for missions under development i.e. ExoMars, BepiColombo, Solar Orbiter and JUICE, significant effort is required to set up the required auxiliary data handling services. Missionspecific SPICE Kernels Preparation This work package covers the preparation and maintenance of a complete set of SPICE kernels for each mission. This requires a solid understanding of spacecraft and instrument design, and its operations. Close communication with the instrument designers and science operations planners is required to define the necessary kernels. Instrument Kernels IK for each of the instruments Instrument Kernels IK for other spacecraft related parts, e.g. the solar panels, highgain antenna Frame Kernels FK for spacecraft structures, payload and additional generic frames as needed Spacecraft Kernels SPK for relative positions of specific spacecraft structures and components Spacecraft Clock Kernel SCLK Planetary Constant Kernels PCK Attitude Kernels CK based on a set of simple geometric descriptions mostly for science operations analysis purposes Dedicated area on SPICE FTP site for kernel distribution, including maintenance of all supporting documentation for the SPICE data set and associated web pages Test software to validate and visualise the correctness of the SPICE Kernels. Applicable to BepiColombo already partially completed, Solar Orbiter and JUICE. Maintenance of the SPICE kernels and associated services is applicable to all missions. Auxiliary Data Conversion System Development and Maintenance Missions in operations are currently using the ADCS to automatically convert Flight Dynamics products and spacecraft telemetry into SPICE kernels. In addition, as part of a short external contract, the ADCS is being updated to cope with the requirements of the missions under development. These updates are Conversion of the new CCSDS format orbit and attitude products from ESOC Updates of the Spacecraft Clock Kernel based on received Time Correlation Packets Improved software documentation. All activities related to taking over the development and maintenance of the ADCS once the external contract is completed, also including Coordination and development of any future functionalities required by the missions in operations and under development on an asneeded basis Adaptation for conversion of Mission Analysis products to SPICE kernels Adaptation and support for the integration of this service in SOC systems Operations and maintenance of the existing ADCS services for missions in operations. Expected output Orbit kernels SPK Attitude kernels CK Event kernels EK Spacecraft Clock kernels SCLK Orbit Number files ORBNUM Updated ADCS software and associated documentationreports on conversion and validation process CCB and status minutes of meeting. Applicable to all missions minimum effort required for missions in operation. SPICE Archive Generation Each mission has the responsibility to produce auxiliary data sets for longterm archiving. A service is already in place for missions in operations, where a PDSformatted SPICE data set including all required documentation is regularly produced and delivered to the Planetary Science Archive PSA for ingestion in the archive. Missions under development will also need this service in the near future. The following tasks shall be performed Preparation of a data pipeline to produce SPICE data sets for longterm archiving in PDS4 format Maintenance and operation of the pipeline to produce SPICE data sets for longterm archiving Updates required resulting from the peerreview of any generated PDS SPICE data sets. Expected output Regular deliveries frequency to be agreed typically 36 months of PDSformatted SPICE data sets suited for longterm archiving following PSA requirements. Applicable to all missions minimum effort required for missions in operation. Auxiliary Data Handling Technical Support and Consultancy Activities related to technical support and consultancy to the Science Operations Centres, Instrument Teams and the scientific community on all aspects related to SPICE and auxiliary data handling including Advice on auxiliary data handling aspects, including auxiliary data systems design and development support Support and consultancy to instrument teams and the scientific community on the usage of the SPICE kernels and any associated tools and services. Expected output Technical support and consultancy to the Science Operations Centres, Instrument Teams and scientific community in any aspects related to auxiliary data handling and use of SPICE. SPICE Training and Community Capacity Building Activities related to community capacity building to help in establishing a forum for addressing SPICE issues. Assistance from the NAIF team at JPL on SPICE training is envisaged. Coordinate, arrange and conduct SPICE training courses for interested team members from ESAs Solar System missions Preparation of tutorials and programming exercises and material to train the Science Operations Centres and Instrument Teams in producing and using SPICE in the most efficient way. Expected output 1 training courseworkshop per year Dedicated SPICE training material as needed Contributions to online community for SPICE support. Scientific Geometry Data Analysis and Exploitation Services Research into and development of dedicated geometry handling, visualisation and analysis software using SPICE, GIS, and other relevant technologies, for its use in Mission concept studies Science operations analysis Science operations planning and scheduling Trajectory and observation geometry visualisation 3D Scientific data processing Analysis and archiving. Expected output Software, either in the form of application programming interfaces or software systems tools Studies of technology solutions applied to specific problems. For items directly related to individual missions, the Key Person will interact with the nominated SPICE responsible. It is expected that the Key Person will be able to interact freely with any member of the following institutions involved in development and operations work. Science Operations Centre at ESAC main interface Operations Ground Segments at ESOC including Mission Analysis and Flight Dynamics Instrument Teams of ESA missions in operations and under development Planetary Science Archive PSA team at ESAC NASA NAIF team SPICE Scientific community. Travel to JPL for training is expected and at least once for a long period up to 3 months. Travel to other locations within Europe to attend e.g. SWT, SOWG and DHAWG meetings, or to visit Instrument Team Institutes will be also required. Travel to attend conferences and present papers is also likely. Requirements The Key Person should possess a university education PhD or MSc in in Computer Engineering, Physics or Mathematics, with a high level of expertise in Solar System geometry and ancillary information data and systems including SPICE is advantageous. Experience in providing support and interacting with instrument scientists and engineers and with the scientific community is mandatory. Strong computer programming skills, and a good knowledge of web applications programming would be an asset. Knowledge of the following would be beneficial Knowledge of science operations planning is an advantage Programming languages C, Perl, Python, IDL, Java, Matlab, Javascript, Fortran Development of Web Applications, experience with Apache Tomcat technologies Knowledge of XMLJSON technologies Experience with configuration and version control tools SVN, Git ECSS standards for software development. The Key Person should possess excellent communications skills and should feel comfortable in an international working environment. A high level of written and spoken English is essential. Application procedure Important All applicants must hold a current valid work permit for Spain or be EU nationals. Due to the high interest these roles generate, Serco reserves the right to commence, alter or conclude the recruitment process prior to the closing date. If shortlisted, a recruiter will contact you directly. If not, your application will remain in our database and can be matched against future openings. You can also login at any time to apply to additional positions. If you are interested in this vacancy, and think you have the skills and experience required, please apply via the relevant link available in our corporate careers website httpwww.serco.comcareersindex.asp If you have any question regarding this position please email space.careersserco.com Position Science Operations Engineer Auxiliary Data Handling Cross Mission Support Office Reference RTCSREOD111 Application closing date 10.06.2015 Start date August 2015 If you are not yet registered with Serco we advise you to register your details by adding your details and attaching your CV via httpswww.amris.comsercoalertssignupform.php For additional information about Serco Group please consult our website www.serco.com For additional information about Serco Europe please consult our website www.serco.comeurope For additional information about ESAC, please consult httpwww.esa.intAboutUsESAC
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