The European Space Agency (ESA) is recruiting a Security Engineering intern for its Ground Systems Engineering and Innovation Department at ESOC in Darmstadt, Germany. The internship lasts 3 to 6 months, starts from February 2027 onwards, and applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full vacancy: you can choose between a post-quantum cryptography research topic and a mission data interfaces topic.
Internship at a Glance
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21139
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🚀 Directorate: Operations
🏙️ Workplace: Darmstadt, Germany
📍 Location: ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany
🌐 Publication method: external only
⏳ Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
🗓️ Duration: 3 to 6 months, from February 2027 onwards
About the Ground Systems Engineering and Innovation Department
The Ground Systems Engineering and Innovation Department is responsible for all the ground systems engineering and support activities required to support mission operations and implement innovation. It maintains and manages a full level of competences, technologies and services in all engineering disciplines related to ground systems, infrastructure, technology evolution, and Engineering R&T and innovation.
What the Department Does for ESA Missions
The Department provides expert support in these areas to the Directorate of Operations for all current and potential missions. In the role of architect, it leads ground systems evolution and innovation implementation in the infrastructure and for other ESA programmes. It is also responsible for the overall technical innovation and technical standardisation coordination for the ground segment.
Five Domains of Expertise
The Department relies on the following domains of expertise:
🗼 Ground Station Engineering
🧭 Flight Dynamics and Mission Analysis
💾 Mission Operations Data Systems Engineering
📡 Navigation Support
🔧 Multi-Mission Infrastructure: Ground Segment Integration and Testing
Choose Your Internship Topic
The vacancy lets you choose among two topics. Each one is a different technical activity, so read both before you decide which one fits your studies.
Topic 1: Post-Quantum Cryptography Research for Space
ESA is working towards a future Solar System Internet, an interoperable network that will enable secure and reliable communication across satellites, ground stations, lunar, and deep-space infrastructures. Space communications face unique challenges, including high latency, intermittent connectivity, and limited computing, storage, and bandwidth resources.
At the same time, advances in quantum computing pose a long-term threat to many of today's cryptographic mechanisms, motivating an urgent, worldwide transition towards post-quantum cryptography. Ensuring that post-quantum security technologies can operate efficiently under the constraints of space environments remains an important research challenge.
What You Could Work On in Topic 1
In this topic, you will explore how next-generation cryptographic technologies can be applied to secure future space communications. This may include:
🔑 The design and implementation of post-quantum cryptographic algorithms.
⚖️ The analysis of security and performance trade-offs in resource-constrained environments.
🔬 The investigation of implementation security aspects such as side-channel and fault-injection attacks.
Depending on your interests, you may focus on security analyses, software development, or contributions to ongoing international standardization. Overall, you will contribute to the development of resilient and future-proof security solutions for the next generation of space communication infrastructures.
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Topic 2: Next-Generation Mission Data Interfaces for ESA Mission Control Systems
The Pulse project is ESA's activity developing and operationalizing its next-generation system for mission control and mission operations preparation. It is built on top of the European Ground System Common Core (EGS-CC) framework, targeting a standardised, secure and automation-ready system that enables interoperability and European sovereignty.
What You Could Work On in Topic 2
This topic is about designing and prototyping a Mission Control System agnostic interface for data archiving and dissemination services, enabling seamless integration between operational systems and mission data repositories. The activity will define common information models, APIs, and interaction patterns that can be adopted across current and future mission control environments, reducing system coupling and improving interoperability.
AI-Assisted Engineering and Security by Design
The solution will be implemented and validated within the Pulse ecosystem, leveraging modern AI-assisted software engineering approaches, rapid prototyping techniques, and stringent security-by-design principles. The technical activity will explore how intelligent development workflows can accelerate innovation while maintaining the reliability, traceability, and cybersecurity standards required for mission-critical space operations.
Who Can Apply: 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.
Skills and Knowledge ESA Is Looking For
🛡️ Knowledge or academic specialisation in one or more of these areas: system and software security engineering, security risk analysis, network security, and secure communication protocols.
🧮 Knowledge of basic cryptography is considered a strong asset.
Working Languages
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.
Behavioural Competencies
ESA assesses candidates against its Core Behavioural Competencies. The vacancy lists these six:
🎯 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.
Which Nationalities Can Apply?
ESA considers applications only from nationals of one of these 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).
Export Control and Sanctions Requirement
Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
Duration and Start Date
ESA states that internships last from three to six months. They begin from February 2027 onwards, and the start date is agreed with the ESA tutor. Students must remain enrolled at university for the full duration.
Application Limit
A candidate can apply for up to two ESA internship opportunities. If you apply for two internships, you must complete and submit the first application before moving on to the second one.
Selection Process
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored. After applications close, candidates move into the shortlisting and selection stage, which ESA places in December and January.
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
ESA values diversity and welcomes people with disabilities. Whenever possible, it 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. The contact email for this is listed at the end of this post.
Important Information
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. The vacancy does not state an allowance for this internship.
Find more opportunities like this in our internship and traineeship listings on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the ESA Security Engineering internship take place?
The internship is based at ESOC in Darmstadt, Germany, in the Ground Systems Engineering and Innovation Department of the Operations Directorate.
How long is the internship and when does it start?
ESA internships last from three to six months. They begin from February 2027 onwards, and the start date is agreed with the ESA tutor.
Which topics can I choose?
You can choose between Topic 1, Post-Quantum Cryptography Research for Space, and Topic 2, Next-Generation Mission Data Interfaces for ESA Mission Control Systems.
Who is eligible to apply?
You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year at Master's level, and you must prove that you will be enrolled at your university for the entire internship. You must also be a national of one of the eligible States listed in the vacancy.
Can I apply with any nationality?
No. ESA considers applications only from nationals of its listed States, plus Canada as a Cooperating State and Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta as European Cooperating States.
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.
What background is expected?
ESA looks for knowledge or academic specialisation in system and software security engineering, security risk analysis, network security, and secure communication protocols. Knowledge of basic cryptography is considered a strong asset.
How many ESA internships can I apply for?
You can apply for up to two ESA internship opportunities. You must submit your first application before starting the second one.
Is an allowance stated in the vacancy?
No. The vacancy does not state an allowance for this internship.
What is the application deadline?
Applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST.
Deadline
⏳ 30 November 2026
Links
🔗 Apply now (ESA vacancy 21139): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Darmstadt-Intern-in-the-Ground-Systems-Engineering-&-Innovation-Department-Security-Engineering/1452807933/
🏛️ Department page: https://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Operations/gse/Building_infrastructure_on_Earth_to_support_satellites_in_space
🌌 ESA website: https://www.esa.int
📰 ESA Student Internships 2027: https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/ESA_Student_Internships_2027_are_now_open
📧 Contact for disability support: ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int
