Intern in the Quality Department - Software Product Assurance Section
About the role
Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Our team and mission
The Software Product Assurance Section provides support to ESA programmes and missions ensuring that software related requirements defined in the missions baseline are met. The Section ensures that appropriate processes, methods and tools used for software development are deployed through the entire development lifecycle.
The Section also offers services for software product evaluation for conformity, software safety and dependability and software process assessment.
The team in ESTEC consists of 14 people supporting the Software Product Assurance activities for projects across multiple domains, including Science, Human and Robotic Exploration and Earth Observation.
Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int
Field(s) of activity for the internship
This topic of the internship is to update the knowledge base and training material from the Software Product Assurance section, including the internal wiki page. The knowledge base defining key aspects used by our team for our day-to-day activities needs to be updated based on new standards and feedback from the team. The section offers training courses to a variety of audiences. The training material needs to be updated to reflect the new activities in the domain and to adapt it to the new format.
Learning objective: Overall knowledge about the Software Product Assurance domain for space missions, based on the proposed activity.
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.
Background in software engineering or computer science is essential. Knowledge about software standards and tools is 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.
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.
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