Mission Architect – LIFE Space Mission

For the LIFE Space Mission, you will take the role of overall Mission Architect and will be responsible for leading the concept study. You will closely interact with engineers and scientists involved in specific disciplines of the study. The goal is to formulate:

• An end-to-end system overview for LIFE based on available technologies and development methodologies
• A breakdown of the overall LIFE development into major milestones and dedicated R&D missions that mature and test technology performance and retire risks for the final LIFE mission as imagined

You will further interact with colleagues from ETH Zurich | Space who have vast experience in the space industry and in the Swiss space ecosystem. Additional support from students and/or external partners is envisioned and needs to be established in coordination with the project leadership team.

As part of your role, you will:

• Oversee the concept study for the LIFE Space Mission.
• Help optimize the balance between scientific return, technology readiness, and mission feasibility while coordinating with the project manager to align schedule and cost.
• Lead system-level trade studies, architecture definition, and subsystem interface design in collaboration with discipline engineers.
• Establish additional support from students and external partners in coordination with the project leadership team.
• Support the definition of system-level budgets (e.g., optical, mass, power, thermal).
• Identify technical risks, propose mitigation strategies, and ensure traceability throughout the project lifecycle
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to junior engineers and student teams involved in mission activities.

While the main focus will be on the LIFE Space Mission, involvement in other projects (personal or within of ETH Zurich | Space) can be negotiated.

You have a background in space mission engineering and architecture development for large-scale astrophysics missions. Experience working in an international setting and with industrial partners is a must.

We are looking for someone with:

• Master’s degree or PhD in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or related fields.
• 15+ years of experience in leading roles in large missions in concept and flight hardware development for NASA or ESA missions; involvement in the James Webb Space Telescope and/or exoplanet-driven missions is a plus.
• Leadership position in early formulation of (flagship) astrophysics missions is a must and experience at all phases of space telescope development (concept through commissioning) is a plus.
• Proven record in the design and integration of space telescopes, (cryogenic) optical systems, and complex instrument subsystems.
• The ability to conduct system-level analysis and trade studies to inform design decisions.
• In-depth understanding of space mission requirements, space systems engineering principles, and lifecycle processes.
• Strong organizational and coordination skills to manage and balance project priorities, timelines, and resources.
• Excellent communication skills and a demonstrated ability to collaborate with international partners in academia and industry.