The European Space Agency (ESA) is offering an internship in Global Interplanetary Trajectory Optimisation at ESOC, its European Space Operations Centre in Darmstadt, Germany. The intern joins the Mission Analysis Section and works on SALTO, ESA's software framework for interplanetary trajectory design, with a focus on global optimisation and GPU acceleration. Applications close on 30 November 2026, 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 condition below.
The Vacancy at a Glance
This 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: 21141
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🏛️ Directorate: Operations
📍 Workplace: Darmstadt, DE
📣 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, ESA's European Space Operations Centre, in Darmstadt, Germany. The vacancy lists Darmstadt, DE as the workplace within the Operations directorate.
Your Team: The Mission Analysis Section
You will be part of the Mission Analysis Section, which belongs to the Flight Dynamics Division within the Ground Systems Engineering Department. The section is entrusted with mission studies for future terrestrial, lunar and interplanetary missions, as well as scientific missions located in planetary or lunar libration points.
The emphasis is typically on trajectory and attitude related aspects and on supporting ground segment design and operations. Candidates are encouraged to visit the ESA website to learn more about the Agency.
What the Mission Analysis Section Does
The section's work covers a broad range of mission design and analysis topics. The vacancy lists the following areas:
⚖️ Trade-offs: the selection of the nominal mission trajectory
🧭 Manoeuvring strategies: the definition of how a spacecraft manoeuvres
🔥 Orbital manoeuvres: optimisation of low- and high-thrust propulsion, including rocket ascent trajectories
⛽ Propellant budget: the calculation of the propellant needed
🗓️ Launch window: the analysis of possible launch windows
🌀 Orbit perturbations and navigation: the analysis of both
🧮 Methods and tools: the development of the necessary analytical and numerical methods and software tools
Why Trajectory Optimisation Matters at ESOC
Trajectory optimisation plays a central role in mission design and analysis at ESA's European Space Operations Centre. Interplanetary trajectories, lunar tours and other complex missions all rely on sophisticated global search and optimisation methods. Typically, coarse initial solutions are refined through local, gradient-based techniques to achieve the required mission accuracy and feasibility.
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SALTO: ESA's Unified Trajectory Framework
The Mission Analysis Section employs different tools for trajectory design and optimisation, and has defined a unified software framework called SALTO. The framework implements an innovative approach for interplanetary trajectory design, separating the energy-based unphased solutions from the phasing problem. It still requires a certain degree of expert input to obtain mission solutions efficiently.
What You Will Contribute
You will contribute to the development of SALTO, with a particular focus on global optimisation techniques, to find wide ranges of mission possibilities once an interplanetary mission profile is established. The position offers the opportunity to contribute to the future of ESA's mission design capabilities, combining theoretical research with hands-on software development and validation on real-world problems.
Your Tasks as an Intern
The vacancy states that the tasks include, but are not limited to, the following:
🧬 Investigating the integration of global optimisation methods (e.g. genetic algorithms, differential evolution, or other metaheuristics) within the SALTO framework
🛠️ Improving the usability, robustness and automation of the tool based on user experience and mission requirements
⚡ Enhancing the performance of SALTO through parallelisation and algorithmic optimisation
🖥️ Investigating the use of General Purpose Graphical Processing Units (GP-GPUs) to accelerate the global search methods
The GPU Focus of This Internship
The use of GPUs is particularly of interest for this internship. ESOC has developed a set of GPU-based tools, which can be used to accelerate the global optimisation methods. Knowledge of GPU programming and the CUDA language is listed as an asset.
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.
Required Qualifications and Skills
The vacancy asks for the following profile:
📐 A solid background in applied mathematics, physics or aerospace engineering, ideally with experience in optimisation, numerical methods or astrodynamics
🐍 Proficiency in Python and familiarity with modern software development practices, including version control (Git/GitLab), continuous integration and unit testing
💡 Strong analytical thinking, creativity and a collaborative mindset
🌐 Motivation to apply advanced algorithms to practical mission design challenges in an international team environment
🎮 Knowledge of GPU programming and CUDA language is an asset
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.
Nationality Requirement
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.
Internship Duration and Start
According to ESA's announcement of its 2027 Student Internships, internships last from three to six months and begin from February 2027 onwards. The start date is agreed with the ESA tutor, and students must remain enrolled at university for the full duration of the internship.
How Many Internships You Can Apply For
A candidate can apply for up to two ESA internship vacancies, so it pays to choose carefully and pick the internships that best match your studies and skills.
Selection Process
During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored. During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests.
Export Control and Sanctions
Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. Applications are welcome 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, and its contact address is listed in the Links section below.
Good to Know Before You Apply
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.
Find More Internships
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is this ESA internship based?
The internship is based at ESOC, ESA's European Space Operations Centre, in Darmstadt, Germany. The vacancy lists Darmstadt, DE as the workplace within the Operations directorate.
What will I work on during the internship?
You will contribute to the development of SALTO, ESA's unified software framework for interplanetary trajectory design, with a focus on global optimisation techniques. Your tasks include investigating global optimisation methods, improving the tool's usability, robustness and automation, enhancing its performance through parallelisation and algorithmic optimisation, and investigating the use of GP-GPUs.
What is SALTO?
SALTO is a unified software framework defined by the Mission Analysis Section at ESOC for trajectory design and optimisation. It separates the energy-based unphased solutions from the phasing problem, although it still requires a certain degree of expert input to obtain mission solutions efficiently.
Who can apply for this internship?
You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of university course at Master's level. You must also 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.
Which skills do I need?
The vacancy asks for a solid background in applied mathematics, physics or aerospace engineering, ideally with experience in optimisation, numerical methods or astrodynamics. It also asks for proficiency in Python and familiarity with version control (Git/GitLab), continuous integration and unit testing.
Do I need to know GPU programming?
No. Knowledge of GPU programming and CUDA language is listed as an asset, so it strengthens an application. GPUs are, however, of particular interest for this internship.
Which languages do I need?
The working languages of the Agency are English and French, and a good knowledge of one of them 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 from three to six months and begin from February 2027 onwards. The start date is agreed with the ESA tutor.
How many ESA internships can I apply for?
You can apply for up to two ESA internship vacancies.
Will there be an interview or tests?
Your motivation for applying to the role will be explored during the interview. 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 (Apply now): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Darmstadt-Intern-in-the-Ground-Systems-Eng_-&-Innovation-Dep_-Global-Interplanetary-Trajectory-Optimisation/1452808533/
🌐 European Space Agency: https://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 (disability support and recruitment assistance): ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int
