The European Space Agency (ESA) is offering an internship in its Science Operations Department at ESAC in Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain, on AI-based automation of product assurance and quality engineering. Applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full vacancy and set out the topic, tasks, requirements and eligibility rules below.
The Vacancy in Brief
The internship sits in ESA's Science Directorate. These are the formal details of the vacancy:
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 20955
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🏛️ Directorate: Science
📍 Workplace: Villanueva de la Cañada, ES
🗺️ Location: ESAC, Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain
📣 Publication method: External Only
📅 Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
Where You Will Work: ESAC in Villanueva de la Cañada
The internship is located at ESAC in Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain. The vacancy lists Villanueva de la Cañada, ES as the workplace for the role within the Science Directorate.
The Science Operations Department and Its Mission
Under the direct authority of D/SCI, the Head of the Science Operations Department is responsible for the development of the science operations infrastructure under the Directorate's responsibility, the operation of the Directorate's missions once successfully commissioned, and the curation of all scientific data in the missions' legacy phase. These responsibilities are discharged in full coordination with the Directorate's Departments and Offices and, as appropriate, with the Directorate of Operations (D/OPS).
The Three Divisions Supporting SCI-S
In implementing their duties, SCI-S is supported by three divisions:
🛰️ Mission Management and Science Operations Division (SCI-SO)
🧰 Science Operations Development Division (SCI-SD)
🗃️ Data Science and Archives Division (SCI-SA)
Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website at http://www.esa.int.
Internship Topic: AI-Based Automation of Product Assurance and Quality Engineering
Product Assurance activities increasingly rely on information distributed across multiple repositories and tools, including Jira, Confluence, Git-based repositories, SonarQube, software release documentation, and configuration management systems. As projects grow in complexity, a significant amount of effort goes into repetitive activities such as collecting metrics, reviewing documentation, preparing reports, verifying data consistency, assessing quality, and consolidating information from different sources.
This internship will investigate how recent advances in Artificial Intelligence and Automation can be applied to support and automate process assurance and software quality.
What You Will Do: Analyse Workflows and Find Where AI Helps
You will analyse existing workflows and identify areas where AI can provide benefits in terms of efficiency, quality, consistency, and traceability.
Six Activities in the Spotlight
Particular attention will be given to the following activities:
🎫 Automatic creation of Jira tickets from user inputs, engineering artefacts or meeting outputs
🏃 Generation of Scrum sprint summaries
📝 Production of software release notes
✅ Assessment of Jira ticket completeness and quality
📈 Extraction and interpretation of software quality metrics from SonarQube
📚 Verification of the completeness and consistency of software release documentation
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Additional Investigations You May Take On
Additional investigations may include the following:
🔎 Auditing Configuration Item Data Lists (CIDLs) and Verification Control Documents (VCDs)
⚖️ Analysing compliance with established processes
🧩 Identifying inconsistencies between documentation and project repositories
🤖 Developing AI-driven assistants capable of supporting Product Assurance engineers in their daily activities
When the Internship Starts and How Long It Lasts
According to ESA's announcement of its 2027 student internships, an internship lasts between 3 and 6 months and starts from February 2027. 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. In addition, you must be able to prove that you will be enrolled at your university for the entire duration of the internship.
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.
Technical Knowledge the Vacancy Asks For
During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored. You should also have:
🛠️ Knowledge of the Software Engineering process
🧠 Knowledge of Artificial Intelligence and Automation technologies
🐍 Programming skills in Python
🧪 Knowledge of testing processes and tools
🔄 Knowledge of CI/CD and relevant tools such as Jira, Confluence and SonarQube
🔬 Knowledge of software quality assurance practices and techniques
Behavioural Competencies
The vacancy lists the following ESA core behavioural competencies:
🏁 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.
Eligible Nationalities
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 request applicants to undergo selection tests.
Application Limit
According to ESA's announcement of its 2027 student internships, one candidate can apply for a maximum of 2 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.
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 you can contact ESA by email using the address in the Links section below.
Important Information and Disclaimer
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 a stipend or allowance. You can find more opportunities like this in the internships and traineeships section of Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the AI Product Assurance and Quality Engineering internship at ESA about?
It investigates how Artificial Intelligence and Automation can support and automate process assurance and software quality in ESA's Science Operations Department. You will analyse existing workflows and identify where AI can improve efficiency, quality, consistency and traceability.
Where is the internship based?
The internship is based at ESAC in Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain, within ESA's Science Directorate. The vacancy lists Villanueva de la Cañada, ES as the workplace.
What is the deadline to apply?
The closing date is 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST. Applications are submitted through the ESA careers website.
Which tools and activities will I work with?
The vacancy names Jira, Confluence, Git-based repositories, SonarQube, software release documentation and configuration management systems. Activities include creating Jira tickets automatically, generating Scrum sprint summaries, producing software release notes, assessing Jira ticket quality, interpreting SonarQube metrics and verifying release documentation.
Could I also work on audits and AI assistants?
Additional investigations may include auditing Configuration Item Data Lists (CIDLs) and Verification Control Documents (VCDs), analysing compliance with established processes, identifying inconsistencies between documentation and project repositories, and developing AI-driven assistants for Product Assurance engineers.
Who can apply for this internship?
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.
Which nationalities are eligible?
Applications are only considered from nationals of ESA's listed States, which include Spain, Germany, France, Italy, the United Kingdom and 22 others named in the vacancy. Applicants from Canada as a Cooperating State, and from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta as European Cooperating States, can apply as well.
When does the internship start and how long does it last?
According to ESA's 2027 student internships announcement, an internship lasts between 3 and 6 months and starts from February 2027. The exact start date is agreed with the ESA tutor.
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.
Which skills does the vacancy look for?
The vacancy looks for knowledge of the Software Engineering process, Artificial Intelligence and Automation technologies, Python, testing processes and tools, CI/CD and tools such as Jira, Confluence and SonarQube, and software quality assurance practices and techniques.
How many ESA internship vacancies can I apply for?
One candidate can apply for a maximum of 2 vacancies, according to ESA's announcement of its 2027 student internships.
Is the internship paid?
The vacancy does not state a stipend or allowance.
What happens during the selection process?
Your motivation for applying to the role will be explored during the interview, and ESA may also ask applicants to undergo selection tests.
Deadline
⏳ 30 November 2026
Links
🔗 Full vacancy and application (Apply now): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Villanueva-de-la-Ca%C3%B1ada-Intern-in-the-Science-Operations-Department-AI-Automation-of-Product-Assurance-&-Quality-Engineering/1452874133/
📘 ESA Student Internships 2027 announcement: https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/ESA_Student_Internships_2027_are_now_open
🌐 ESA website: http://www.esa.int
📧 ESA student internships contact (diversity and accessibility questions): ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int
