The European Space Agency (ESA) is recruiting an intern for the Data and Apps Factory in its Digital, Data and Information Technology Department at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands. Applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full vacancy: you would help build the data platform that powers data-driven decisions and applied artificial intelligence across ESA.
ESA Data and Apps Factory Internship: Key Facts
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21002
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🚀 Directorate: Resources and Services
🏙️ Workplace: Noordwijk, NL
📍 Location: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
🌐 Publication method: external only
⏳ Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
The Team You Would Join: Data & Apps Factory
You would join the Data & Apps Factory team, part of the Data & AI Office. The team works on the ESA Data Factory, the data platform that powers data-driven decisions and the integration of artificial intelligence across the organisation.
The Mission: Data People and Intelligent Systems Can Use
The team's mission is to make the organisation's data discoverable, trustworthy and ready for use by both people and intelligent systems.
New Initiatives Beyond Structured Data
Alongside the core platform, the team is building new initiatives that extend it beyond traditional structured data. There are two of them:
📄 A store that makes the knowledge held in written documents readable by intelligent systems.
🔗 A context layer that captures the relationships and meaning between different data sources.
A Collaborative Environment With Real Impact
You would be part of a collaborative, curious environment, contributing to real, ongoing activities and seeing your results used across the organisation.
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What Your Internship Tasks May Include
As an intern, you would collaborate with experienced colleagues on innovative topics within the data platform, contributing to real, ongoing activities. Your tasks may include:
🧱 Contributing to the development of a store that makes the knowledge held in written documents readable by intelligent systems, with the correct access controls.
🧭 Helping to build the context layer that captures the relationships and meaning between different data sources.
🖥️ Supporting the design and development of the interfaces through which colleagues explore and understand the organisation's data.
🧪 Exploring and testing new tools and techniques in applied artificial intelligence related to data systems.
📝 Documenting approaches so they can be understood and reused by others.
What You Would Gain From the Internship
Through this internship, you would:
🏗️ Gain hands-on experience of how a modern data platform is designed and operated.
🧠 Develop practical skills in applied artificial intelligence, including how written information is made usable by intelligent systems.
🔐 Learn how meaning, relationships and access control are applied to data in a complex organisation.
💬 Strengthen your ability to document and communicate technical information clearly.
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.
Working 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.
Background and Experience That Count as an Asset
Knowledge and background in data systems and applied artificial intelligence is an asset. It is also useful if you have experience in the following areas, including through university or school projects:
🗃️ Databases and structured data.
☁️ Cloud services, particularly Microsoft Azure, or on-premise environments such as virtual machines.
🔎 Vector stores or retrieval-based systems that make documents usable by intelligent systems.
⌨️ Programming, data handling, or building small applications or interfaces.
💡 A general interest in applied artificial intelligence and how it is used with real data.
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.
Which Nationalities Can Apply?
Please note 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).
Duration, Start Date and Application Limit
According to ESA's announcement for the 2027 student internships, an internship lasts 3 to 6 months and starts from February 2027 onwards. The exact start date is agreed with the ESA tutor.
A candidate can apply for up to two ESA internship opportunities.
Selection Tests and Interview
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.
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.
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. The contact email for this is listed at the end of this post.
Important Information
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. The vacancy does not state an allowance for this internship.
Find more opportunities like this in our internship and traineeship listings on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the ESA Data and Apps Factory internship take place?
The internship is based at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands, within ESA's Digital, Data and Information Technology Department. You would join the Data & Apps Factory team, which is part of the Data & AI Office.
What will I work on during this internship?
You would collaborate with experienced colleagues on the ESA Data Factory, the organisation's data platform. Tasks may include developing a store that makes written documents readable by intelligent systems, building a context layer between data sources, supporting data exploration interfaces, testing applied artificial intelligence tools and documenting approaches.
What is the ESA Data Factory?
It is the data platform that powers data-driven decisions and the integration of artificial intelligence across ESA. The team's mission is to make the organisation's data discoverable, trustworthy and ready for use by both people and intelligent systems.
How long is the internship and when does it start?
According to ESA's 2027 student internships announcement, internships last 3 to 6 months and begin from February 2027 onwards. The exact start date is agreed with the ESA tutor.
Who is eligible to 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 States listed in the vacancy.
Do I need experience in data systems or artificial intelligence?
Knowledge and background in data systems and applied artificial intelligence is an asset, not a requirement. Experience with databases, cloud services such as Microsoft Azure, vector stores, programming or small applications is useful, including from university or school projects.
Which languages do I need?
The working languages of ESA 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 many ESA internships can I apply for?
A candidate can apply for up to two ESA internship opportunities, according to ESA's announcement for the 2027 student internships.
What happens after I apply?
The Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.
Does the vacancy mention a stipend?
The vacancy does not state an allowance for this internship. ESA notes that the information on its careers website regarding internship conditions is correct at the time of publication but is not intended to be exhaustive.
What is the application deadline?
Applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST.
Deadline
⏳ 30 November 2026
Links
🔗 Apply now (ESA vacancy 21002): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Noordwijk-Intern-in-the-Digital%2C-Data-and-Information-Technology-Department-Data-and-Apps-Factory/1452793833/
📰 ESA Student Internships 2027: https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/ESA_Student_Internships_2027_are_now_open
🌌 ESA website: https://www.esa.int
📧 Contact for disability support: ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int
