The Da Vinci Satellite team is recruiting! The different positions within the Technical team, the Education team, the Business team and the Public Relations team can be found below. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to send us an email. This page is in English as it is a requirement that our team members know English.
Technical positions
The technical team is responsible for designing, building and testing the satellite. The team is divided into different subteams, namely, Payload, Systems, Software, Testing & Integration, Electrical and Ground Station & Operations.
Systems Engineer (~16 hours per week)
As a systems engineer you will be responsible for working on the structure of operations of the satellite, which interacts with all subsystems present. You will work closely with another systems engineer to diagnose and troubleshoot current problems in the written modes of operation, testing them and developing them further if needed. In addition, you will work on The General Service Routines (GSRs) which are a set of general tasks for the satellite that do not particularly fit into one mode but must often be performed regardless. For both tasks you will work closely with the software team to transfer the modes into codes that can be installed on the flight hardware, and you will assist them in testing it. Therefore, you may be asked to work as a testing delegate beside your responsibility in the systems engineering team.
Structural Engineer (~16 hours per week)
As a structural engineer you will be doing a full analysis of the satellite, which includes the vibration isolation system, the satellite stacking and the design and testing of the thermal control system. As a structural engineer, you will be a part of the systems engineering tech team. In this team, several other projects regarding satellite development are dealt with. You’ll also be closely working with other sub-teams to ensure that all of the systems of satellite operate properly when it is in space!
Software Engineer (~8 hours per week)
As Software Support Engineer you will write and test software that runs on the satellite on-board computer which operates the satellite subsystems, schedules tasks and manages data transmission. You will develop software in a team setting using git and GitHub, while sharpening your Python, unit testing and operating systems (Linux) skills. The emphasis will gradually shift towards testing and integration with the hardware components, so you will also be able to see how your code interacts with the flight hardware. Last but not least, your code will get to fly to space.
Electrical Engineer (~8 hours per week)
As an electrical support engineer you will thoroughly test the different satellite subsystem and communicate with the respective companies in case of any difficulties. This will gradually shift towards research into a test and flight harness. Whilst researching you will look into how the different subsystems are powered, how they communicate with each other and lastly, if the flight harness can endure the launch and space environment, using a vibration test, for example. You will develop electronics and testing skills in a team setting using Arduino while sharpening your C++, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Lastly, your work and ideas will contribute to this team’s goal of sending a satellite into orbit for many year to come!
Testing & Integration Engineer (~8 hours per week)
As a Testing & Integration Engineer you’ll be responsible for the testing and assembly of the satellite. This includes writing test plans, performing the tests yourself or overseeing other sub-teams that do the testing and ensure proper documentation. This is a great way to get a hands-on experience and be actively working with hardware and software!
Educational positions
The education team is working hard on developing and testing the educational modules for both primary and secondary schools. These modules are direclty linked to the payload in the satellite.
Primary school (~3 hours per week)
You will be working in a team to develop an educational lesson package. These lessons are partly co-developed with the international primary school and focus on unconventional teaching methods with the aims of bringing space closer to Earth, literally.
High school (~3 hours per week)
You will be working in a team to develop masterclasses for high school students! The masterclass subjects range from, for example, Mars to Interplanetary Travel and aim to contain loads of unconventional educational methods. Expect loads of masterclass trial runs and testing sessions!
Business positions
The business team focus on both the finance aspect as well as the external relations aspect. The finance sub team focus on getting funding for the project and taking care of the launch contract. The external relations team focus on keeping our partners up-to-date and on getting exposure for the team.
Funds acquisition (~4 hours per week)
As part of the ‘Funds acquisition’ team within the Finance team you will be responsible for looking for different funds that have a similar mission and vision as the 'Da Vinci Satellite' project and contacting them. You will be working with other members of the finance team and attend meetings with the entire business team so if you have any ideas for other projects you can always let the team know!
External media contactor (~4 hours per week)
As ‘External media contactor’ within the External Relations team you will be responsible for contacting external media outlets to generate press on the Da Vinci Satellite project. This can, for example, include getting into contact with magazines for writing articles or arranging radio interviews. You are free in pursuing what lies closest to your interests as well as come up with ideas together with the rest of the External Relations team!
Public relations positions
The public relations team aims at maintaining the Da Vinci Satellite corporate identity in order to build a following through recognizable and cohesive media and increasing team visibility towards students and the general public.
Video editor (~4 hours per week)
As ‘Video editor’ within the Public Relations team you will be responsible for making video content surrounding the Da Vinci Satellite team. This includes working with previously shot video material, as well as coming up with your own ideas for new content where you will have the freedom to either make longer vlog or interview-like material for our YouTube and LinkedIn or more casual short content for our Instagram!
Event planner (~4 hours per week)
As ‘Event planner’ within the Public Relations team you will be responsible for organising events tied to the Da Vinci Satellite project, mainly connecting our project with sustainability initiatives as well as assisting in organising the events surrounding our satellite launch. Your responsibilities can include either working on previously thought-up events by the current team or coming up with your own creative ideas for either small- or large-scale events!
Social Media Content Manager (~4 hours per week)
As ‘Social Media Content Manager’ within the Public Relations team you will be responsible for creating and posting weekly posts on the Da Vinci Satellite social media. You will work together with another team member in the same role with whom the types of posts are divided. The posts can be related to the team and project but also space-related educational fun facts. The role gets support and ideas from the rest of the PR team, but is also very open to your own ideas and interpretations!