Intern in the Ground Systems Engineering & Innovation Department - Navigation Support Office
- No experience required
About the job
## Location ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany ## Our team and mission You will join a team responsible for providing the spatial and temporal reference that enables European space missions to determine their position, navigate accurately, and maintain precise timing.
The team supports missions from low Earth orbit to the Moon, delivering operational services, scientific expertise, and advanced analysis capabilities that are essential for mission success. The team operates a global infrastructure for the collection, processing and analysis of satellite navigation and geodetic observations.
By combining data from satellite navigation systems, laser ranging stations and other space geodetic techniques, the team generates high-precision products used by space missions, scientific communities and international partners. The team also contributes to the global geodetic infrastructure that underpins positioning, navigation, and timing services worldwide.
Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int ## Field(s) of activity for the internship As an intern, you will be part of an international and multidisciplinary environment involving precise satellite navigation, space geodesy, orbit determination, data analysis, and software development. ## Depending on the specific project, you may contribute to - Analysing satellite and space geodetic observation data; - developing or validating algorithms, models and software tools; - supporting the generation and assessment of high-precision navigation and geodetic products; - investigating satellite performance and orbit determination results; - collaborating with experts from universities, research institutes, and international organisations. You will be part of a team that combines operational responsibility with research and innovation.
The working environment offers exposure to real mission applications, international collaborations and state-of-the-art technologies supporting current and future European space missions. ## Behavioural competencies Result Orientation Operational Efficiency Fostering Cooperation Relationship Management Continuous Improvement Forward Thinking For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook ## Education You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of university course at Master's level.
In addition, you must be able to prove that you will be enrolled at your university for the entire duration of the internship. ## Additional requirements The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another ESA Member State language is an asset. During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.
Knowledge and background in precise navigation topics such as orbit determination and geodesy are an asset. ## Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment.
We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. At the Agency we value diversity, and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace.
The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email at ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int . ## Important Information and Disclaimer During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests.
The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding internship conditions is correct at the time of publication.
It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have. ## Nationality Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Applicants from Canada as a Cooperating State can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).
From European Space Agency (ESA)'s job posting, checked 7 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.
Selected agencies hiring now
Contract Professionals Inc (CPI)Engineering and technical staffing agency
Aerospace and defense staffing firm in Waterford, Michigan, placing engineers, maintenance technicians, mechanics, welders and CNC machinists.
Places: Propulsion, Mechanical, Avionics, RF & Payloads
These agencies and apps pay SpaceJobs.Now a referral fee when someone we introduce is placed or signs up. It costs you nothing and never changes your pay. Employers' own jobs below keep their own order.
Sponsored jobs from job networks, which pay SpaceJobs.Now when you click one.
Free tools for this application: check your resume against this job, answer the application's questions, write your internship essay or see every free tool.
New launch and mission operations jobs, by email
One email a week with the newest ones, straight from the employers' own careers sites, with the pay each posting states. Free, stop anytime.
About European Space Agency (ESA)
Europe's space agency, hiring engineers, scientists and graduate trainees at its centres in the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium and France.
Pay on its listings: 0% of its open jobs state an hourly rate
How it pays: Paid as an ESA staff member on the agency's own payroll, under its staff regulations.
More open jobs at European Space Agency (ESA)
More launch and mission operations jobs
- Mission Operations Engineer I$80,000–$95,000/yr
- 人工衛星 射場作業責任者(Launch Site Operations)
- Satellite Network Operations Engineer$130,000–$175,000/yr
- Space Vehicle and Operations Engineer
- Solution Platform Lead (M/F)
- System Development Engineer, Leo Network Services$122,600–$185,000/yr
Run launches or flown spacecraft?
One profile for every employer here. Space companies and their recruiters ask us for people with a specific degree, clearance, specialty or location: add yours once, and when a job fits, we introduce you, only with your yes. Free.
European Space Agency (ESA) openings, sent to you weekly
Each week we send the newest postings from European Space Agency (ESA)'s own careers site, along with similar openings at other space employers. It costs nothing and you can stop anytime.