The European Space Agency (ESA) is recruiting an Intern in the Ground Systems Engineering & Innovation Department to work on Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN) at ESOC in Darmstadt, Germany. Applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST, and the internship is open to university students from ESA's participating states. At Youth Works Hub we went through the full vacancy and set out every task, requirement and selection detail below.
The Vacancy at a Glance
The internship sits in ESA's Operations Directorate and is based at ESOC in Darmstadt. These are the formal details of the vacancy:
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21148
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🏛️ Directorate: Operations
📍 Workplace: Darmstadt, DE
🛰️ Location: ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany
📣 Publication method: External Only
⏳ Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
Where You Will Be Based: ESOC, Darmstadt
The internship is located at ESOC in Darmstadt, Germany. The vacancy lists Darmstadt, DE as the workplace for the role within the Operations Directorate.
Our Team and Mission: Ground-Segment Software for Space Communication
The team develops ground-segment software for space communication systems and for the European Space Agency's worldwide network of ground stations. It investigates, develops and validates new communication technologies that support reliable data exchange with spacecraft and between distributed space and ground systems.
What the Team Works On Every Day
The team's activities combine several disciplines:
💻 software engineering
📜 communication protocol development
🔧 system integration
🧮 simulation
🧪 operational experimentation
The team also contributes to international standardisation and collaborates with other space agencies, European industry, universities and research organisations.
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Why Space Communication Needs a Different Kind of Networking
Space communication is often characterised by long round-trip delays and less reliable communication links. The vacancy describes the main challenges as follows:
⏱️ long round-trip delays between Earth and spacecraft
📶 less reliable communication links
📅 links that are typically planned in advance
🪟 links that are only available for limited time
📊 data rates on individual links that vary between a few kilobits per second and several gigabits per second
🔌 a continuous end-to-end path that may not be available
Delay or Disruption Tolerant Networking Explained
To overcome these challenges, Delay or Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN) communication architectures have been proposed, and related communication protocols have been standardised for the space domain. The two protocols named in the vacancy are the Bundle Protocol and the Licklider Transmission Protocol.
Where ESA Is Applying DTN
These protocols are being implemented by ESA, simulated, and validated for various scenarios. The vacancy names Earth Observation and lunar or Mars exploration scenarios among them.
Your Tasks as an Intern
As an intern, you will contribute to the following tasks:
✅ test and validation of protocol implementations and prototypes
🖥️ deployment and validation of prototype operational systems on ground to prepare DTN communication experiments and demonstrations
🤝 support the execution of DTN experiments and demonstrations with external partners (space agencies, commercial entities, academia)
Areas You Could Also Get Involved In
Depending on your interests, you could also be involved in areas currently under active development and standardisation:
🏷️ Bundle Protocol (BP) naming schemes
🔀 hybrid BP-IP networks
🚀 mission operations for DTN-enabled spacecraft
What You Will Gain From the Internship
Through this internship, you will gain substantial experience in ground segment software development at ESA. You will also obtain a comprehensive understanding of space communication systems and engage with advanced technologies for future networked space communications aimed at establishing the Solar System Internet.
The Bigger Picture: Future Missions and a Solar System Internet
As part of the team, you will gain experience in an international engineering environment. You will contribute to technologies supporting future missions to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars and beyond, and your activities will form part of wider efforts to establish interoperable communication services for a future Solar System Internet.
Education Requirement
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.
How Long the Internship Lasts and When It Starts
According to ESA's announcement of its 2027 student internships, internships last 3 to 6 months and start from February 2027. The exact start date is agreed with the ESA tutor. A candidate can apply to a maximum of two vacancies.
Technical Skills You Need
Experience with software development in Java, Rust or C++ on Linux is required. Knowledge and background in terrestrial networking (IP, TCP, UDP) or space communication protocols is an asset.
Languages
The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required, and knowledge of another ESA Member State language is an asset.
Behavioural Competencies
The vacancy lists six ESA core behavioural competencies:
🎯 Result Orientation
⚙️ Operational Efficiency
🌐 Fostering Cooperation
💬 Relationship Management
📈 Continuous Improvement
🔭 Forward Thinking
For more information, the vacancy refers to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook.
Selection Process
During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored. During the recruitment process, the Agency may also request applicants to undergo selection tests. If you are comparing this placement with other routes into the field, our guide to how internships abroad for students really work sets out the main options.
Which Nationalities Can Apply
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.
🍁 Cooperating State: applicants from Canada can apply as well
🤲 European Cooperating States (ECS): applicants from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta can apply as well
Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. It welcomes applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.
Support for Applicants With Disabilities
At the Agency, diversity is valued and people with disabilities are welcome. Whenever possible, ESA seeks 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. To discuss this further, you can contact ESA at ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int.
Important Information From ESA
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Disruption Tolerant Networking internship at ESA?
It is an internship in the Ground Systems Engineering & Innovation Department of ESA's Operations Directorate at ESOC in Darmstadt, Germany. You will test and validate Delay or Disruption Tolerant Networking protocol implementations and prototypes and help prepare DTN experiments and demonstrations.
Where is the internship based?
The internship is based at ESOC in Darmstadt, Germany.
Who can apply for this internship?
You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year at Master's level, and you must be able to prove that you will be enrolled at your university for the entire duration of the internship.
Which nationalities can apply?
Applications are only considered from nationals of 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, Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta can apply as well.
Which programming skills do I need?
Experience with software development in Java, Rust or C++ on Linux is required. Knowledge and background in terrestrial networking (IP, TCP, UDP) or space communication protocols is an asset.
Which languages do I need?
A good knowledge of English or French, the working languages of the Agency, is required. Knowledge of another ESA Member State language is an asset.
How long does the internship last and when does it start?
According to ESA's 2027 student internships announcement, internships last 3 to 6 months and start from February 2027. The exact start date is agreed with the ESA tutor.
How many ESA internship vacancies can I apply to?
A candidate can apply to a maximum of two vacancies.
What happens after I apply?
During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored. The Agency may also request applicants to undergo selection tests during the recruitment process.
What is the application deadline?
The closing date is 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST.
Deadline
⏳ 30 November 2026 (23:59 CET/CEST)
Links
🔗 Job description and application: https://jobs.esa.int/job/Darmstadt-Intern-in-the-Ground-Systems-Engineering-&-Innovation-Department-Disruption-Tolerant-Networking/1452810633/
🌐 European Space Agency: http://www.esa.int
🎓 ESA Student Internships 2027 announcement: https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/ESA_Student_Internships_2027_are_now_open
📨 ESA student internships contact (disability support and recruitment assistance): ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int
