Intern in the Quality Department - Human Spaceflight Safety
About the role
Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Our team and mission
The TEC-QI Independent Safety Office is responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, and maintenance of ESA policies, requirements, standards, and for providing functional support to ESA projects in the areas of:
- Human Spaceflight Safety;
- Space Debris Mitigation;
- Re-entry Safety;
- Nuclear Safety for applications in space.
The mission of the TEC-QI is to ensure the highest safety standards for ESA missions by enforcing clear safety processes, reducing risks, and protecting space assets, environment and general public. TEC-QI aims to make sure all ESA activities are carried out with a strong commitment to safety.
Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int
Field(s) of activity for the internship
Under the supervision of the assigned tutor in the Independent Safety Office, you will:
- familiarise yourself with the recently updated safety requirements and the safety certification process applicable to the International Space Station (ISS), the Lunar Gateway habitation modules and, more generally, human spaceflight exploration, including crewed vehicles;
- participate in ESA safety review activities for the certification of system and payload hardware developed by European industry;
- review already certified system and payload hardware for lessons learnt compilation;
- participate in the definition of new safety requirements, their implementation and verification approach;
- compile safety guidelines for transportation and operations of simple payloads/experiments on-board the ISS;
- support the preparation of drafts, presentations and tools aimed at improving the efficiency of the ESA Safety Review Panel.
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.
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.
Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
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.
Copied from the listing European Space Agency (ESA) published, verified 1 Nov 2026.
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.
Similar open roles

Security Officer (opens the job details)
Blue Origin · Supply Chain · Space Coast, FL, United States· 1mo agoDetails

Summer 2027 Software Developer Internship - Graduate (opens the job details)
Blue Origin · Software & IT · Greater Seattle Area· 2w agoDetails
$38/hr
Manager, Information Security Management (opens the job details)
SES · Software & IT · McLean, VA, United States· 2d agoDetails
$136,000–$187,000/yr
Vehicle Software Engineer - Summer Internship 2027 (opens the job details)
Inversion Space · Flight Software · Playa Vista, California, United States· 1w agoDetails

Software Engineer Intern - Summer 2027 (opens the job details)
Lockheed Martin · Software & IT · Sunnyvale, CA, United States· 4d agoDetails
$25.18–$35.19/hr
Experienced in Quality & Mission Assurance?
Space employers come to us looking for a particular skill, location or credential. Leave your details one time, at no cost, and we put you forward when a role matches, never without your yes.
European Space Agency (ESA) openings, sent to your inbox
Each week we send what European Space Agency (ESA) posted since the last email, with comparable openings at other space companies. No cost, and you can stop it with one click.
Hiring for European Space Agency (ESA)? Feature this role to get a marked Featured slot above the lists and the lead place in the weekly job email for 30 days. Pricing:$99 for a single role, or $299 to cover every role you have open. To see who else is hiring your disciplines and at what pay, read the monthly space hiring brief.