Spacecraft & stations · Europe's intergovernmental space agency: science, Earth observation, navigation and launcher missions
European Space Agency (ESA) jobs
The European Space Agency designs and runs Europe's space missions with its member states: science and planetary probes, Earth observation, navigation (Galileo), human spaceflight and launchers. Its staff posts sit at its centres: ESTEC in Noordwijk (the Netherlands), ESOC in Darmstadt (Germany), ESRIN near Rome (Italy), ESAC near Madrid (Spain), the Redu station (Belgium), the astronaut centre in Cologne and its Paris headquarters. Its posts are open to nationals of its member states, as each posting states, and include graduate trainee and young professional schemes.
, SpaceJobs.Now lists 196 open jobs at European Space Agency (ESA).
a pay range on 0% of its open roles
Latest European Space Agency (ESA) openings
Read 7 Nov 2026, 10:02 UTCAOCS and Pointing Systems Engineer (3 Positions) (opens the job details)
Flight Software · Noordwijk, Netherlands · todayDetails
Space Safety Functional and Validation Architect (opens the job details)
Systems & Test · Noordwijk, Netherlands · 1d agoDetails
Copernicus Sentinel-3 Next Generation Topography Lead Space Segment Engineer (opens the job details)
Systems & Test · Noordwijk, Netherlands · 2d agoDetails
Chemical Propulsion Engineer (opens the job details)
Propulsion · Noordwijk, Netherlands · 2d agoDetails
Spacecraft Manager (opens the job details)
Programs & Business · Noordwijk, Netherlands · 4d agoDetails
Head of Council and Corporate Committees Section (opens the job details)
Programs & Business · Paris, France · 4d agoDetails
In-Orbit Servicing Performance Engineer (opens the job details)
Systems & Test · Noordwijk, Netherlands · 5d agoDetails
Intern in the Robotics and IoT Lab (opens the job details)
Flight Software · Porz-Wahn, Germany · 6d agoDetails
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European Space Agency (ESA) on our lists
Where European Space Agency (ESA)'s current postings put it, each list naming every other space employer in the same spot.
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European Space Agency (ESA) at a glance
The European Space Agency designs and runs Europe's space missions with its member states: science and planetary probes, Earth observation, navigation (Galileo), human spaceflight and launchers. Its staff posts sit at its centres: ESTEC in Noordwijk (the Netherlands), ESOC in Darmstadt (Germany), ESRIN near Rome (Italy), ESAC near Madrid (Spain), the Redu station (Belgium), the astronaut centre in Cologne and its Paris headquarters. Its posts are open to nationals of its member states, as each posting states, and include graduate trainee and young professional schemes.
196 roles taken from its careers site on 2026-11-07A recruiter wrote to you in European Space Agency (ESA)'s name?
European Space Agency (ESA)'s own sites: esa.int.
What European Space Agency (ESA) pays
Given posting by postingA range on 0% of its open jobs
ESA publishes its salaries by grade and country: in its 2026 table a first-step post in the Netherlands pays €4,961.50 a month at A1 and €6,338.97 at A2, after ESA's internal tax, social security and pension, exempt from national income tax and paid 12 times a year. Its postings name the grade (most are published in the A2 to A4 band), not a pay figure, so the board shows no pay for them. That is too few ranges for a typical European Space Agency (ESA) figure today; the jobs below each carry whatever range their posting gives.
| Discipline | Open jobs | Middle half | Top figure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Programs & Business | 51 | No range given | Not given |
| Science, Imaging & Earth Data | 31 | No range given | Not given |
| Systems, Integration & Test | 31 | No range given | Not given |
| Ground Software & IT | 24 | No range given | Not given |
| Flight Software & GNC | 11 | No range given | Not given |
| Launch & Mission Operations | 11 | No range given | Not given |
| RF, Communications & Payloads | 10 | No range given | Not given |
| Quality & Mission Assurance | 8 | No range given | Not given |
| Mechanical, Structures & Thermal | 7 | No range given | Not given |
| Propulsion & Engines | 6 | No range given | Not given |
| Avionics & Electrical | 4 | No range given | Not given |
| Supply Chain & Facilities | 2 | No range given | Not given |
What European Space Agency (ESA) looks for
The usual bar in each discipline European Space Agency (ESA) is staffing right now. A posting can ask for more or less (a clearance, a degree, years on hardware), so check the role itself before applying.
A business, finance, law or engineering degree; program managers often hold a PMP or an engineering background.
A science, engineering or data degree; geospatial and intelligence roles may need a clearance.
An engineering degree; test technicians often come from the military or a technical program.
A computer science degree or equivalent experience; some programs need a US security clearance.
A computer science, aerospace or electrical engineering degree; C/C++ for flight code, control theory for GNC.
An engineering or technical background; many operators come from the military, and shift work is common.
European Space Agency (ESA)'s disciplines
Each discipline page covers the work itself, the usual entry bar and the pay posted for it across the industry.
For the wider picture, open the pay tables for every discipline or the space employers that pay the most.
Signing up with European Space Agency (ESA)
Researched Oct 2026Apply to a specific ESA vacancy on its recruiting site with your motivation letter, CV and highest education certificate; after the deadline ESA shortlists candidates, may ask for an on-demand video pre-screening or a written test, holds a panel interview (most online, on Microsoft Teams; leadership roles add a Leadership Competency Assessment), and makes an offer followed by a medical, a background screening and checks of referees and diplomas.
Eligibility
- ESA accepts applications from citizens of ESA Member States, Associate Members and Canada as a Cooperating State.
- Nationals of European Cooperating States can apply for ESA Graduate Traineeships and Internal Research Fellowships.
The sign-up steps
- 1
Apply to a specific vacancy
Submit your application on ESA's recruiting site with your motivation letter, CV and highest education certificate attached; you receive an automated confirmation email. ESA is unable to accept open applications.
- 2
Shortlisting
After the deadline, the recruitment team draws up a shortlist of candidates to invite to interview. If you are not shortlisted, ESA tells you by email.
- 3
Pre-screening
Depending on the post, you may be asked to complete a virtual on-demand pre-screening interview or to take a written test.
- 4
Leadership Competency Assessment (leadership roles)
For ESA leadership roles, the selection process includes a Leadership Competency Assessment.
- 5
Final interview
A panel of interviewers holds the interview; most ESA interviews take place online on Microsoft Teams.
- 6
Offer
A selected candidate receives a personal notification, then a job offer intention email, then ESA's final appointment offer.
- 7
Medical, background and security checks
You complete a basic medical screening for the ESA Medical Officer and a basic background screening run by an external party; in a second stage ESA contacts your referees and verifies your diploma.
ESA's pre-screening and panel interview
A virtual on-demand pre-screening interview or a written test for some posts, then an interview with a panel; leadership roles add a Leadership Competency Assessment.
Format
On-demand video or a written test, then a panel interview, most of them online on Microsoft Teams
How to prepare
- Write the motivation letter for the specific vacancy: ESA considers only applications to a published vacancy, never open applications.
- Check the vacancy's list of eligible nationalities before you apply: Member States, Associate Members and Canada for most posts, and European Cooperating States for Graduate Traineeships and Internal Research Fellowships.
Preparing for it? How to get a space internship (2027): who hires, when to apply, what it pays →
Tips to get accepted
- Attach all three documents ESA asks for: a motivation letter, a CV and your highest education certificate.
What isn't public
- ESA's recruitment page gives no timeline for any stage and does not say which posts have a written test.
- Which countries are Member States, Associate Members and Cooperating States changes over time; each vacancy's own notice lists the eligible nationalities.
Sources (1)
- ESA, Recruitment process
Questions about European Space Agency (ESA)
How do I apply to European Space Agency (ESA)?
Choose a role below and use its Apply button, which opens that posting on European Space Agency (ESA)'s careers site; the application goes straight to European Space Agency (ESA). Screening, interviews and any offer happen between you and the company, without us.
What does European Space Agency (ESA) pay?
Only 0% of its open roles give a range today, not enough for a typical figure. ESA publishes its salaries by grade and country: in its 2026 table a first-step post in the Netherlands pays €4,961.50 a month at A1 and €6,338.97 at A2, after ESA's internal tax, social security and pension, exempt from national income tax and paid 12 times a year. Its postings name the grade (most are published in the A2 to A4 band), not a pay figure, so the board shows no pay for them. Where a European Space Agency (ESA) posting does give one, the role below shows it.
Which disciplines is European Space Agency (ESA) staffing?
Of its 196 openings, the largest groups are programs & business (51), science, imaging & earth data (31) and systems, integration & test (31).
What does European Space Agency (ESA) ask for in program management and business jobs in space?
A business, finance, law or engineering degree; program managers often hold a PMP or an engineering background. The exact bar is in each European Space Agency (ESA) posting.
How fresh is this list of European Space Agency (ESA) roles?
We read European Space Agency (ESA)'s public careers site every night. A role stays here as long as European Space Agency (ESA) keeps it up, dated with our last check.
Companies that compete with European Space Agency (ESA) for staff
Space employers recruiting the same disciplines as European Space Agency (ESA), in the same states: who has roles open now, the ranges they post and where their sites are.
All the European Space Agency (ESA) alternativesEuropean Space Agency (ESA) versus similar employers
Choosing between European Space Agency (ESA) and a rival? A matchup sets their posted ranges, open jobs and sites next to each other.
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