The European Space Agency (ESA) is looking for an intern in the P120/P160C Team of its Space Transportation Directorate at ESA Headquarters in Paris, France. You would assess solid rocket motor indicators and explore new uses of energetic materials. 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: P120/P160C Team, Paris
🏛️ Organisation: European Space Agency (ESA)
🧭 Role: Intern in the P120/P160C Team, Rocket Propulsion Indicators and Applications of Energetic Materials
🆔 Job requisition ID: 20974
🗂️ 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 Space Transportation Directorate and the Solid Propulsion Team
The ESA Directorate of Space Transportation (STS) is responsible for ensuring Europe's independent access to space through the development, qualification and exploitation of launch systems such as Ariane 6, Vega-C and future transportation systems.
Within STS, the solid propulsion team focuses primarily on the development, qualification and performance monitoring of Europe's solid rocket motors.
P120C and P160C: The Motors Behind the Team's Name
🚀 The P120C serves as both the first stage of Vega-C and the booster of Ariane 6
⬆️ The P160C is its enhanced evolution, aimed at increasing launcher performance and payload capacity
What the Team Does Day to Day
The team supports test campaigns, data analysis, post-flight assessments and the continuous improvement of these strategic systems. The vacancy invites interested candidates to visit the ESA website (listed in the Links section below).
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Field of Activity: Solid Rocket Motors and Energetic Materials
Solid rocket motors and energetic materials are key components of current and future space systems. In a context of continuous performance improvement and the emergence of new applications, this internship aims to assess solid rocket motor indicators while exploring potential new uses of energetic materials.
Activity 1: Solid Rocket Motors
During the internship, you will contribute to the following activities on solid rocket motors:
🔥 Become familiar with solid propulsion
🧪 Process and analyse available data from ground tests and flights, and assess the dispersion of key performance parameters
📊 Propose relevant monitoring indicators and develop related dashboards to support performance analysis and monitoring
📈 Analyse trends
🛠️ Support the identification of improvements or future developments for Ariane and Vega
Activity 2: Other Uses of Energetic Materials
The second part of the internship looks beyond launcher motors:
📚 Conduct literature reviews on the use of energetic materials in space applications, including launch escape towers
🗺️ Map current applications and use cases
⚖️ Benchmark existing and emerging alternative technologies and systems
🔍 Analyse potential applications
Skills You Will Develop
The vacancy lists these skills as the outcome of the internship:
🧮 Data analysis
🛰️ Solid rocket motor knowledge
🖥️ Development of technical indicators and monitoring dashboards
🧠 Technology intelligence and benchmarking
⚗️ Knowledge of energetic materials and their space applications
🎤 Technical reporting and presentation of results in an international environment
Who Can Apply: Student Status and Study Level
The vacancy asks for a university student, preferably in your 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.
Your Profile
You should have a strong interest in research and development, space technologies and innovation. You should be curious, proactive and eager to explore multidisciplinary topics, with the ability to work both independently and as part of an international team. You should also have strong analytical, communication and reporting skills.
During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.
What Counts as an Asset
The vacancy considers the following as assets:
🎓 Being enrolled in the second year of a Master's degree in Engineering, or an equivalent programme, with a specialisation in mechanics, materials or energetics
🐍 Familiarity with scientific data analysis and programming tools such as Python or equivalent
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. If you want to understand how funded internships abroad work, read our guide. 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 P120/P160C Team internship take place?
The internship takes place at ESA Headquarters in Paris, France. The role belongs to the P120/P160C Team in the Space Transportation Directorate.
What are the P120C and the P160C?
The P120C is the first stage of Vega-C and the booster of Ariane 6. The P160C is its enhanced evolution, aimed at increasing launcher performance and payload capacity.
What will the intern work on?
The internship aims to assess solid rocket motor indicators while exploring potential new uses of energetic materials. You would process and analyse ground test and flight data, propose monitoring indicators and dashboards, analyse trends, and carry out literature reviews, mapping and benchmarking on energetic materials in space applications.
Does the internship include launch escape towers?
Yes. The literature review on the use of energetic materials in space applications explicitly includes launch escape towers.
Which skills will I develop?
The vacancy lists data analysis, solid rocket motor knowledge, development of technical indicators and monitoring dashboards, technology intelligence and benchmarking, knowledge of energetic materials and their space applications, and technical reporting and presentation of results in an international environment.
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.
Which backgrounds count as an asset?
Being enrolled in the second year of a Master's degree in Engineering, or an equivalent programme, with a specialisation in mechanics, materials or energetics, is an asset. So is familiarity with scientific data analysis and programming tools such as Python or equivalent.
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-P120P160C-Team-Rocket-Propulsion-Indicators-and-Applications-of-Energetic-Materials/1452792733/
📢 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
