The European Space Agency (ESA) is offering an internship in its Mission Operations Department at ESEC, the European Space Security and Education Centre in Redu, Belgium. As an intern you would develop an automated tool that supports the SmallSat operations team, and applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST. At Youth Works Hub we went through the full vacancy and set out every detail below.
The Vacancy at a Glance
The internship sits in ESA's Operations directorate and is based at ESEC in Redu. These are the formal details of the vacancy:
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21087
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🏛️ Directorate: Operations
📍 Workplace: Redu, BE
🏢 Location: ESEC, Redu, Belgium
📣 Publication method: External Only
⏳ Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
A Note on Driving Licences in Redu
In consideration of the geographical location of ESEC-Redu, the vacancy recommends that successful applicants have or obtain a driving license prior to the take up of duties.
ESEC: ESA's Space Security and Education Centre
ESEC, the European Space Security and Education Centre, at Redu in Belgium is a centre of excellence for space cyber security services. It is home to several ESA facilities:
🛰️ ESA's SmallSat Control Centre
🌦️ the Space Weather Data Centre
🎓 the ESA Education Training Centre
📡 part of ESA's ground station network
What ESEC Provides for ESA Missions
ESEC provides S-band links for ESA's network of ground stations, as well as in-orbit testing (IOT) for telecommunication and navigation satellites. It hosts all the facilities used to test the Galileo signal.
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The Operations Team at ESEC/Redu
The prime function of the operations team (OPS-OEU) at ESEC/Redu is to interface satellites and ground facilities required for their control and utilisation. The main tasks are:
🧭 satellite mission operations (planning, monitoring and control) for PROBA and other SmallSat projects
🚀 operational preparation for new missions
🔬 in-orbit testing of communications, data relay and navigation satellites
🛠️ ground facility operations and maintenance
Hands-On Work Across Many Disciplines
ESA activities at ESEC/Redu cover a wide range of disciplines and there is significant hands-on work. Interested candidates are encouraged to visit the ESA website, which is listed in the Links section below.
Your Field of Activity: Building an Automated Tool
As an intern you will support the ESEC SmallSat Operations team by developing an automated tool to support the SmallSat operations. The tool to be developed will be chosen based on the mission's needs at the start of the internship as well as your capabilities and preferences.
The activity is carried out at the ESA/ESEC and is supported by different ESA experts. Since the product will be used operationally, close interaction with the SmallSat operations team is expected.
Possible Topics for Your Tool
The vacancy lists possible topics, which include but are not limited to:
📡 development of a new antenna controller for the S-band antennae used by the SmallSat missions
🗓️ improvement of the planning tool used to coordinate and deconflict activities between missions, negotiate passes with external providers, and generate a pass plan for use by the automation systems
🌌 development of basic flight dynamics scripts for pass prediction and antenna tracking
🖥️ development of a real-time interface between the mission control system and a visualisation tool to display current spacecraft position and attitude
Automatic Data Handling and Integration
In all cases, the data required by the implemented tool must be retrieved, generated and processed automatically at regular intervals. This allows seamless integration into the ESEC ground segment and supports operations without adding additional workload.
Working Independently With Team Support
You should be able to operate independently, and you will be supported by the ESEC SmallSat operations team.
Duration and Start Date
According to ESA's announcement of its 2027 student internships, an ESA internship lasts 3 to 6 months. Internships start from February 2027 onwards, and the exact start date is agreed with the ESA tutor.
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. You must also be able to prove that you will be enrolled at your university for the entire duration of the internship.
Required Experience and Assets
The vacancy sets one experience requirement and names several assets:
🐍 required: experience in Python programming, software development and testing/validation
🔀 asset: knowledge of Git version control
🐧 asset: Linux command line use
🪐 asset: basic flight dynamics knowledge
Language 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.
Personal Skills
As an intern, you should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multi-cultural environment, both independently and as part of a team.
Behavioural Competencies
Six behavioural competencies are listed. For more information, the vacancy refers candidates to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook.
🎯 Result Orientation
⚡ Operational Efficiency
🤝 Fostering Cooperation
🧩 Relationship Management
🔄 Continuous Improvement
🧭 Forward Thinking
Selection: Motivation Interview and Tests
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.
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.
Applicants from Canada as a Cooperating State can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).
How Many Vacancies You Can Apply For
ESA's 2027 student internship announcement states that a candidate can apply for a maximum of two vacancies.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness at ESA
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
At the Agency diversity is valued, and people with disabilities are welcome. Whenever possible, ESA 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.
A Note on the Published Conditions
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.
Applying Through the Official ESA Careers Page
Applications go through ESA's own careers website, and the full vacancy text is published there. You can find more opportunities like this one in the internships section of Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the SmallSat Operations internship based?
The internship is based at ESEC, the European Space Security and Education Centre, in Redu, Belgium, within ESA's Operations directorate. The workplace is listed as Redu, BE.
What will I do as an intern?
You will support the ESEC SmallSat Operations team by developing an automated tool for SmallSat operations. The tool is chosen based on the mission's needs at the start of the internship as well as your capabilities and preferences, and you work with the support of different ESA experts.
Which topics could my tool cover?
Possible topics include a new antenna controller for the S-band antennae used by the SmallSat missions, an improved planning tool for coordinating and deconflicting activities between missions, basic flight dynamics scripts for pass prediction and antenna tracking, and a real-time interface between the mission control system and a visualisation tool showing spacecraft position and attitude. The list is not exhaustive.
Do I need a driving licence?
Because of the geographical location of ESEC-Redu, the vacancy recommends that successful applicants have or obtain a driving license prior to the take up of duties.
Who can apply in terms of education?
You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of a Master's level course. You must be able to prove that you will be enrolled at your university for the whole duration of the internship.
Which skills are required?
Experience in Python programming, software development and testing/validation is required. Knowledge of Git version control, Linux command line use, and basic flight dynamics are considered assets.
Which nationalities can apply?
Applications are only considered from nationals of ESA's 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. Applicants from Canada (Cooperating State) and from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta (European Cooperating States) 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.
How long does the internship last?
According to ESA's 2027 student internship announcement, ESA internships last 3 to 6 months and start from February 2027 onwards. The start date is agreed with the ESA tutor.
How many internship vacancies can I apply for?
A candidate can apply for a maximum of two vacancies, according to ESA's 2027 student internship announcement.
Does the vacancy mention an allowance?
The vacancy page does not state any allowance or stipend. It also does not mention Erasmus+.
What happens after I apply?
The Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests during the recruitment process. During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.
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/Redu-Intern-in-the-Mission-Operations-Department-Automated-Tools-for-ESEC-SmallSat-Operations/1452800833/
🌐 European Space Agency: http://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 Human Resources (disability support and recruitment assistance): ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int
