The Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS) in Göttingen is one of the world's leading research institutions in solar physics and planetary research, with around 300 employees. The interdisciplinary research focus is the investigation of the development, diversity, and dynamics of planets, moons, small bodies, the sun, and solar-like stars. The MPS develops and operates scientific instruments for current and future space missions (e.g., ESA, NASA), and carries out cosmochemical laboratory investigations of meteorites as well as numerical modeling on state-of-the-art supercomputers. For the development of the Photospheric Magnetic Field Imager PMI for the ESA’s Vigil mission , the institute is looking for a Product and Quality Assurance Engineer (f/m/d) .

Your tasks

As a product and quality assurance engineer, you will work as part of the QA/PA team to support the development of hardware for use in space, as well as its testing, qualification, and documentation, ensuring compliance with applicable quality standards. You will work in close collaboration with the project team and external partners.

Your qualification

• University degree (Master's or equivalent), preferably in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related discipline
• Working experience in a product/quality assurance environment, ideally in the context of space projects
• Demonstrated track record in space product assurance and quality management, with proven ability to prepare, implement, and maintain compliance frameworks that ensure mission success
• In-depth knowledge of international space industry standards, including ECSS, ESCC, and MIL specifications, with practical experience applying them to product development, testing, and certification processes
• Good communication skills
• Fluency in English

Advantageous would be

• Experience in material and process qualification, assessment, and approval of EEE components, radiation effects and analysis, reliability and availability analysis, FMEA
• Experience with cleanliness in the context of space instrument development
• Experience in the definition, implementation, and maintenance of quality management systems compliant with ISO 9001, EN 9100, or IATF 16949
• Good knowledge of German

Additional information

• The advertised position is initially limited to 2 years and should be filled as soon as possible
• The remuneration will be in accordance with TVöD-Bund up to EG 13, if the objective and subjective classification requirements are met. This will be assessed separately based on the respective professional qualifications and previous professional experience, and should not necessarily be expected. The social benefits correspond to the regulations for the public service (federal government)
• We offer you a varied and interesting range of tasks in an international scientific working environment, as well as opportunities for professional development. In addition, we offer you opportunities to reconcile work and family life, as well as health promotion programmes
• The application deadline is 27 March 2026

We look forward to receiving your informative application documents (cover letter, CV, references, certificates). Please submit these via our application portal . If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. K. Pourbagher ( Pourbagher@mps.mpg.de , Tel. +49 551-384 979 236).

The Max Planck Society endeavours to achieve gender equality and diversity. Furthermore, the Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply. The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from qualified individuals with disabilities.