The European Space Agency (ESA) is offering an internship in the Ground Systems Engineering & Innovation Department at ESOC in Darmstadt, Germany, where you would develop a methodology and software framework to measure the performance of ESTRACK deep-space antennas. 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 Internship at a Glance
The internship belongs to the Operations Directorate and is based at the European Space Operations Centre in Darmstadt. These are the formal details of the vacancy:
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21147
🎓 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 takes place at ESOC, the European Space Operations Centre, in Darmstadt, Germany. The vacancy lists Darmstadt, DE as the workplace for the role within the Operations Directorate.
Our Team and Mission: Ground-Based Communication and Tracking Assets
The Ground-Based Communication and Tracking Assets Section at the European Space Operations Centre is in charge of the ground station antennas used to transmit telecommands to the satellites operated by the centre and to receive their telemetry and payload data, while maintaining stable tracking.
🛠️ What the team does: it takes care of the design, procurement, maintenance and evolution of those antennas and their infrastructure
📻 Expertise: from radio-frequency to mechanical and servo engineering
🔌 Infrastructure: from power generation and distribution to air conditioning systems
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🌍 All opportunities in Germany →
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The Challenge: Measuring Real Antenna Performance
Electromagnetic simulations and antenna design analyses provide the reference expectations for the performance of a deep-space ground station antenna system. However, the operational verification of antenna performance requires the ability to assess system noise temperature and antenna temperature under real environmental and operational conditions.
Observations of astronomical radio sources, together with environmental and site-specific measurements, provide a unique and powerful means to evaluate the end-to-end performance of deep-space antenna systems. They make it possible to characterise radio-frequency, environmental, geometric and operational effects directly from observational data.
The Main Objective of the Internship
The main objective is to develop a methodology and software framework for determining the performance of ESTRACK deep-space antennas for any pointing direction, frequency band and environmental condition. The internship also aims to identify measurable indicators that describe the overall receiving performance of the antenna system.
Topics the Activities Will Address
The activities will address the following topics:
🌡️ antenna temperature and system noise temperature modelling
🌳 characterisation of environmental noise contributions from the antenna surroundings
📶 analysis of radio-frequency interference and site-dependent noise sources
📐 development and refinement of antenna radiation pattern models at deep-space communication frequencies
🔍 investigation of spillover, blockage, scattering and ground noise effects
🧭 assessment of the impact of antenna pointing direction on receiving performance
🏗️ integration of antenna structural characteristics and site geometry into performance models
🌦️ evaluation of atmospheric and environmental effects on system noise temperature
⚖️ comparison between predicted and measured antenna performance
📊 definition of performance indicators suitable for operational assessment of deep-space antenna systems
🔭 investigation of future frequency-band implementations and their impact on existing antenna infrastructures
Your Tasks as an Intern
As an intern, your tasks will include:
📚 becoming familiar with ground-station antenna systems and simulation tools
📝 defining the software requirements for the specific antenna temperature tool
🔧 updating and improving the available radio-frequency antenna models at the relevant frequencies
🛰️ analysing and characterising the radio-frequency environments at existing and future deep-space antenna sites and their effects on antenna system performance
🧮 combining the antenna models with environmental and pointing conditions to determine system performance
📡 proposing upgraded layouts to accommodate new frequency bands in existing antennas
📈 comparing model predictions with measurement data and operational performance observations
🗂️ preparing technical documentation and presenting the results
What You Will Gain
This internship offers practical experience at the intersection of deep-space communications, antenna engineering, radio-frequency system analysis, scientific computing and ground-station performance verification. It contributes to the characterisation and enhancement of ESA's ESTRACK deep-space antenna infrastructure under real operational conditions.
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.
Additional Requirements
🗣️ Languages: the working languages of the Agency are English and French, and a good knowledge of one of these is required; knowledge of another ESA Member State language is an asset
🎤 Interview: during the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored
⚡ RF and electromagnetics: knowledge and background in RF and electromagnetics is an asset
🐍 Programming: knowledge of programming tools such as Python is an asset
🖥️ Simulation tools: knowledge of antenna simulation tools such as GRASP is an asset
Behavioural Competencies
ESA assesses candidates against its Core Behavioural Competencies. The vacancy lists the following six:
🎯 Result Orientation
⚙️ Operational Efficiency
🤝 Fostering Cooperation
💬 Relationship Management
🔄 Continuous Improvement
🔮 Forward Thinking
For more information, the vacancy refers applicants to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook.
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
Duration and Start Date
According to ESA's announcement of its 2027 student internships, the internship lasts between 3 and 6 months and starts from February 2027. The exact start date is agreed with the ESA tutor.
How Many Internships Can You Apply For
According to the same ESA announcement, one candidate can apply for a maximum of two internship vacancies.
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 also welcomes people with disabilities and, whenever possible, seeks to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can provide assistance during the recruitment process, and you can discuss this by email at ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int.
Selection Tests and Important Information
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. 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.
Browse more internships and traineeships on Youth Works Hub →
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the ESTRACK Antenna Performance internship based?
The internship is based at ESOC, the European Space Operations Centre, in Darmstadt, Germany, within the Operations Directorate of ESA.
What will I work on during the internship?
You will help develop a methodology and software framework for determining the performance of ESTRACK deep-space antennas for any pointing direction, frequency band and environmental condition. Your tasks include updating radio-frequency antenna models, characterising the radio-frequency environments of antenna sites and comparing model predictions with measurement data.
Who can apply?
You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of Master's level studies. 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 ESA's participating 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, Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta can apply as well.
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.
Do I need to know Python or GRASP?
Knowledge of programming tools such as Python and of antenna simulation tools such as GRASP is listed as an asset, as is knowledge and background in RF and electromagnetics. They strengthen an application but are not stated as strict requirements.
How long does the internship last?
According to ESA's announcement of its 2027 student internships, internships last between 3 and 6 months and start from February 2027. The exact start date is agreed with the ESA tutor.
How many internships can I apply for?
One candidate can apply for a maximum of two internship vacancies.
Will there be an interview or tests?
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-ESTRACK-Antenna-Performance/1452810433/
🌐 European Space Agency: https://www.esa.int
🎓 ESA Student Internships 2027: 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
