The European Space Agency (ESA) offers an internship in the Space Safety Programme, Frequency Management Office at ESOC in Darmstadt, Germany. University students, preferably in the final or second-to-last year of a Master's course, can apply until 30 November 2026. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full ESA vacancy and the ESA internship announcement.
Internship at a Glance
🏢 Organisation: European Space Agency (ESA)
🛡️ Programme: Space Safety Programme, Frequency Management Office (OPS-SF)
🧭 Directorate: Operations
📍 Location: ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany
📝 Type of appointment: Intern
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21076
🕓 Duration: 3 to 6 months
📆 Start: from February 2027, with the exact date agreed with the ESA tutor
🎓 Level: university student, preferably at Master's level
🗣️ Working languages: English and French
💻 Required skill: Matlab programming
The Space Safety Department and Its Mission
The ESA Space Safety Department takes care of all potential hazards and threats from space or in space, which can impact human activities, infrastructure, or related applications.
The spectrum of tasks ranges from gathering the basic understanding of space hazards originating from our Sun, from human space debris, or from asteroids potentially colliding with the Earth. It also addresses basic approaches to mitigate these hazards and to implement space systems end-to-end in a sustainable and eco-compatible way.
Moreover, several corner stone missions are underway to demonstrate basic methods of space weather forecasting, asteroid deflection and active space debris removal from orbit.
The Eight Entities of the Space Safety Department
In execution of these tasks, the Space Safety Department has the following entities:
🚀 Mission Implementation Division (OPS-SM)
🗂️ COSMIC Project Management Office (OPS-SC)
☀️ Space Weather Office (OPS-SW)
☄️ Planetary Defence Office (OPS-SP)
🧹 Space Debris Office (OPS-SD)
♻️ Clean Space & Circular Economy Office (OPS-SY)
📡 Frequency Management Office (OPS-SF)
🧩 Programme Coordination Office (OPS-SX)
What the ESA Frequency Management Office Does
Within OPS-S, the ESA Frequency Management Office (OPS-SF) manages Agency frequency activities, develops and maintains policy, and ensures implementation per International Telecommunication Union (ITU) provisions.
The office's role includes:
🔗 Interfacing with ESA satellite projects across Directorates for frequency assignment and coordination, to minimise interference
🌐 Leading ESA participation in radiocommunication meetings and international regulatory bodies
👥 Chairing the Inter-Directorate Frequency Management Working Group
🏛️ Interfacing with host country and Member States regulators on frequency regulation matters
📏 Supporting radio frequency standardisation
Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website, linked at the end of this post.
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The Internship Focus: Protecting Earth Stations from Interference
Protection from radio frequency interference of the Earth stations supporting ESA missions is critical. The ESA Frequency Management Office has developed an internal software tool in order to determine the protection area around Earth stations, so that interference from other terrestrial radio transmitters can be avoided.
What You Will Do as an Intern
As part of the internship, your tasks will include the following aspects:
📘 Getting familiar with the software tool and the underlying methodology derived from ITU regulations
🖥️ Running the tool in order to create a catalogue of protection contours for a range of scenarios addressing ESA receiving and transmitting Earth stations
🔧 Proposing optimisation and update of the tool
Behavioural Competencies
ESA lists six behavioural competencies for this role. For more information, the vacancy refers to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook.
🏆 Result Orientation
⚙️ Operational Efficiency
🤝 Fostering Cooperation
💬 Relationship Management
🔄 Continuous Improvement
🔮 Forward Thinking
Education Requirement
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.
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.
🧮 Knowledge of the Matlab programming language is required.
📶 Knowledge and background in radio frequency communications and radio propagation is an asset.
🎤 During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.
Duration, Start Date and Application Limit
According to the ESA announcement of the Student Internships 2027, the internship lasts 3 to 6 months and starts from February 2027. The start date is determined together with the ESA tutor.
A candidate can apply to a maximum of 2 internship vacancies.
Who Can Apply: Nationality Requirements
ESA states 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.
Applicants from Canada as a Cooperating State can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).
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.
Is the ESA Internship Paid?
The vacancy page does not state a stipend or allowance for this internship, and it does not mention Erasmus+ funding. 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.
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.
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 is listed at the end of this post.
Find more opportunities like this in our internship and traineeship listings on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the ESA Frequency Management Office internship take place?
The internship takes place at ESOC in Darmstadt, Germany, in the Frequency Management Office (OPS-SF) of the Space Safety Department in the Operations Directorate.
How long is the internship and when does it start?
According to the ESA announcement of the Student Internships 2027, the internship lasts 3 to 6 months and starts from February 2027. The start date is determined together with the ESA tutor.
What will the intern work on?
The intern gets familiar with ESA's internal software tool that determines the protection area around Earth stations, and with its underlying methodology derived from ITU regulations. The intern then runs the tool to create a catalogue of protection contours for a range of scenarios covering ESA receiving and transmitting Earth stations, and proposes optimisation and update of the tool.
Who can apply?
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. You must also be a national of one of the eligible States listed by ESA.
Which nationalities are eligible?
Nationals of ESA's listed States can apply: 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 also apply as Cooperating States.
Which skills does ESA look for?
Knowledge of the Matlab programming language is required. Knowledge and background in radio frequency communications and radio propagation is an asset.
Which languages are required?
A good knowledge of English or French, the working languages of ESA, is required. Knowledge of another ESA Member State language is an asset.
Is the internship paid?
The vacancy page does not state a stipend or allowance, and it does not mention Erasmus+ funding.
How many ESA internship vacancies can I apply to?
A candidate can apply to a maximum of 2 internship vacancies.
What is the application deadline?
Applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST.
Deadline
⏳ 30 November 2026
Links
🔗 Apply now (ESA careers): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Darmstadt-Intern-in-the-Space-Safety-Programme-Frequency-Management-Office/1452798333/
📰 ESA Student Internships 2027 announcement: https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/ESA_Student_Internships_2027_are_now_open
🌐 ESA website: https://www.esa.int
📧 Questions and accessibility support: ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int
