The European Space Agency (ESA) is looking for an intern in the Ariane Mission and System Engineering Division of its Ariane 6 Department at ESA Headquarters in Paris, France. The internship lasts 3 to 6 months, starts from February 2027 and is open to university students. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full vacancy: applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST.
Internship Details: Paris, Space Transportation Directorate
🏛️ Organisation: European Space Agency (ESA)
🧭 Team: Ariane 6 Department, Ariane Mission and System Engineering Division
🆔 Job requisition ID: 20973
🗂️ Directorate: Space Transportation
📍 Location: ESA Headquarters, Paris, France
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
⏱️ Duration: 3 to 6 months
📆 Start: from February 2027, with the exact start agreed with your ESA tutor
🌐 Publication method: external only
⏳ Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
The Ariane 6 Team and Its Mission
The Ariane 6 team supports the ramp-up of the Ariane 6 launch system. This includes improving the performance of the launcher, the launch complex and the Guiana Space Centre launch range, with the aim of ensuring affordable and continuous access to space for European institutional missions.
Four Areas of Engineering Support
The team provides engineering support in these areas:
🛠️ Complementary developments to enhance Ariane 6 launch system capabilities for specific missions, including science, exploration, Earth observation and navigation
🎯 Adaptations to improve quality, cost, availability and performance
👀 Monitoring of Ariane 6 exploitation, including production and launch campaign activities
🔧 Maintenance of the Ariane 6 launch system in operational condition, including anomaly correction and obsolescence management
Working with ArianeGroup and CNES
The team works closely with the launcher system prime contractor (ArianeGroup) and the launch base design authority (CNES). It assesses industrial capability, operational performance and Guiana Space Centre resources. This includes monitoring:
🏭 Prime contractor factories and the supply chain
🚦 Launch campaign operations
🏗️ Launch complex maintenance
💻 Operational tools
📦 Payload preparation facilities
✅ Readiness to support Ariane 6 launches
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How Performance Is Measured at Ariane 6
Performance is assessed by tracking the on-time delivery of flight hardware and Ariane 6 launches. The team compares expected performance, such as production rate and launch cadence, with actual delivery, including flight hardware delivery dates and key launch campaign milestones.
Your Placement: The Operational Performance Modelling Team
During the internship you support the A6 Launch System operational performance modelling team. The vacancy lists six tasks for the intern.
What You Will Do as an Ariane Mission and System Engineering Intern
📞 Act as key point of contact for OPERA users, ensuring effective support and coordination within the STS Directorate
🗃️ Manage reference models, including their creation and updates
🔄 Update the means database
🧑🏫 Provide methodological support to ESA users developing new models
🧮 Prepare and run operational performance calculations to support use-case evaluations
👨💻 Code and test new models, from process analysis and model design to the creation of sequences, operations and test scenarios
Who Can Apply: Student Status and Study Level
The vacancy asks for a university student, preferably in the final or second-to-last year of a 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.
Languages: English or French
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.
Motivation ESA Wants to See
During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored. You should demonstrate:
🚀 A genuine interest in space transportation systems
📈 The motivation to contribute to the analysis of production flows and launch campaign activities
An Advantage: Experience with Calculation Tools
Experience with calculation tools would be an advantage.
Six Behavioural Competencies Behind the Role
The vacancy lists six ESA behavioural competencies. For more information, it refers to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook.
🏁 Result Orientation
⚙️ Operational Efficiency
🫂 Fostering Cooperation
💬 Relationship Management
♻️ Continuous Improvement
🔮 Forward Thinking
Nationality Rules for This Internship
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.
Duration and Start Date
According to ESA's announcement of its 2027 student internships, an internship lasts 3 to 6 months and starts from February 2027. The exact start date is determined with the ESA tutor.
Limit: Two Applications Per Candidate
ESA's announcement states that a candidate can apply for a maximum of 2 internship vacancies. Choose the offers that fit your studies best.
Selection Tests and Export Control Eligibility
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Applicants must also be eligible to access information, technology and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
Equal Opportunities and Support for Applicants with Disabilities
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, and you can discuss this by email with the ESA internships team (the address is listed in the Links section below).
Does the Vacancy Mention Pay? Conditions and Disclaimer
The vacancy page does not state an allowance for this internship. ESA also notes that the information on its careers website about internship conditions is correct at the time of publication, is not exhaustive and may not address all questions you have.
Find more opportunities like this in our internship and traineeship listings on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the ESA Ariane 6 internship take place?
The internship takes place at ESA Headquarters in Paris, France. The role belongs to the Ariane 6 Department, in the Ariane Mission and System Engineering Division of the Space Transportation Directorate.
What will an Ariane Mission and System Engineering intern do?
You support the A6 Launch System operational performance modelling team. Your tasks include acting as key point of contact for OPERA users, managing reference models, updating the means database, providing methodological support to ESA users developing new models, running operational performance calculations and coding and testing new models.
What does the Ariane 6 team work on?
The team supports the ramp-up of the Ariane 6 launch system, improving the performance of the launcher, the launch complex and the Guiana Space Centre launch range. It works closely with the prime contractor ArianeGroup and the launch base design authority CNES.
How long is the internship and when does it start?
According to ESA's 2027 student internships announcement, the internship lasts 3 to 6 months and starts from February 2027. The exact start date is determined with your ESA tutor.
Who can apply for this internship?
You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of a Master's level course. 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?
ESA considers applications only from nationals of its listed 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.
Which languages do I need?
A good knowledge of English or French is required, as these are the working languages of the Agency. Knowledge of another ESA Member State language is an asset.
What interest and skills does the vacancy ask for?
You should demonstrate a genuine interest in space transportation systems, together with the motivation to contribute to the analysis of production flows and launch campaign activities. Experience with calculation tools would be an advantage.
Can I apply for more than one ESA internship?
A candidate can apply for a maximum of 2 internship vacancies, according to ESA's announcement.
Is the internship paid?
The vacancy page does not state an allowance. ESA notes that its published information on internship conditions is not exhaustive.
What is the application deadline?
Applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST.
Will there be selection tests?
The Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests during the recruitment process, and your motivation for applying will be explored during the interview.
Deadline
⏳ 30 November 2026
Links
🔗 Apply now (official vacancy): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Paris-Intern-in-the-Ariane-6-Department-Ariane-Mission-and-System-Engineering-Division/1452792833/
📢 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
📧 ESA internships contact: ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int
