The European Space Agency (ESA) is offering an internship in the XR Lab at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Porz-Wahn, Germany, where you will develop Unreal Engine tools for astronauts and work directly with a Meta Quest 3 headset. Applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full vacancy and set out every task, requirement and eligibility rule below.
The Internship at a Glance
The internship sits within ESA's Human and Robotic Exploration Directorate. These are the formal details of the vacancy:
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21126
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🏛️ Directorate: Human and Robotic Exploration
📍 Workplace: Porz-Wahn, DE
🗺️ Location: EAC, Porz-Wahn, Germany
📣 Publication method: External Only
📅 Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
The XR Lab and Its Mission
The XR Lab at the European Astronaut Centre explores how Extended Reality technologies can enhance human spaceflight and future space exploration. Its work spans astronaut training, mission simulation, operational support, hardware development, and exploration mission design.
Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality in Spaceflight
By integrating virtual, augmented, and mixed reality technologies into spaceflight activities, the lab helps develop innovative solutions for crews, engineers, and operators, while supporting the preparation of future missions beyond Earth orbit.
How XR Is Used for Training at EAC
The vacancy lists four areas where XR is used for training at EAC:
🪐 Spacewalks
🤖 Robotics
🫀 Human anatomy
🛰️ Training technology demonstrators onboard the ISS
Unreal Engine Tools for Astronauts on the ISS
Within the XR Lab, this opportunity is to further develop Extended Reality tools based on Unreal Engine for astronauts. The work focuses on preliminary work for projects using some Meta Quest 3 headsets onboard the International Space Station.
Where Extended Reality Meets Machine Learning
In this context, the work combines extended reality development with machine learning techniques to improve interaction, perception, environment understanding, data interpretation, or context-aware assistance in constrained operational environments. The work may involve prototyping, testing, and refining methods that can increase robustness and usability for astronaut applications.
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Who You Will Work With
You will collaborate closely with engineers in the XR-Lab and experts in the European Astronaut Centre to contribute to ongoing developments that connect software engineering, human-centred design, and ISS Operations. The internship offers exposure to both practical implementation and experimentation, with opportunities to support the maturation of tools that are relevant to prepare future operational and research use cases.
What You Will Do
You will work directly with a Meta Quest 3 and support the development of new concepts in using such headsets onboard the International Space Station. Your activities will include:
🧩 Combining immersive application development with machine learning methods to explore new capabilities for onboard assistance, interaction, data interpretation, and experimental operational concepts
🛠️ Helping to design, prototype, implement, and evaluate software components in close collaboration with the team
⚡ Developing on-device real-time interaction features, sensor or data processing pipelines, computer vision-based functions, or software tooling depending on project needs
⚖️ Contributing to technical trade-offs, implementation work, and iterative testing of candidate solutions in a demanding applied environment
What You Will Learn
Your learning objectives are to:
🌌 Obtain a high-level understanding of Human Spaceflight in Europe
🥽 Gain experience in extended reality development
🧠 Understand how applied machine learning methods can support operational use cases such as assistance, interaction, perception, and data interpretation
🧪 Develop practical experience in designing, prototyping, and testing software components within a multidisciplinary engineering team
🔐 Learn how immersive technologies must be adapted, validated, and matured for use in constrained and safety-relevant environments
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.
Essential Skills
The vacancy lists these essential skills:
🎮 Proven experience in Unreal Engine development
💻 Intermediate C++ and/or intermediate Python proficiency
🔬 Interest in extended reality development and machine learning applications
🗂️ Familiarity with version control and collaborative software engineering practices
Desirable Skills
The vacancy also lists these desirable skills:
👁️ Knowledge of computer vision, Bayesian theory, or signal processing
🔌 Experience with the ESA XR Plugin
📐 Experience with prototyping, experimentation, or technical evaluation of interactive systems
📊 Experience with popular machine learning computer vision models and/or software
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.
Selection Process and Export Control
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.
Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
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
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
Where is the XR Lab internship based?
The internship is based at EAC in Porz-Wahn, Germany, within ESA's Human and Robotic Exploration Directorate. The vacancy lists Porz-Wahn, DE 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.
What will I work on during this internship?
You will work directly with a Meta Quest 3 and support the development of new concepts for using such headsets onboard the International Space Station. The vacancy lists four activities, from combining immersive application development with machine learning to iterative testing of candidate solutions.
What does the XR Lab do?
The XR Lab at the European Astronaut Centre explores how Extended Reality technologies can enhance human spaceflight and future space exploration. Its work spans astronaut training, mission simulation, operational support, hardware development, and exploration mission design.
Which tools and headsets are involved?
The work is based on Unreal Engine and focuses on preliminary work for projects using some Meta Quest 3 headsets onboard the International Space Station. It combines extended reality development with machine learning techniques.
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 the 27 States named in the vacancy, from Austria and Belgium to Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The full list is in the Eligible Nationalities section above.
Which skills do I need?
The vacancy lists proven experience in Unreal Engine development, intermediate C++ and/or intermediate Python proficiency, interest in extended reality development and machine learning applications, and familiarity with version control and collaborative software engineering practices.
Which skills are desirable?
Desirable skills are knowledge of computer vision, Bayesian theory, or signal processing, experience with the ESA XR Plugin, experience with prototyping, experimentation, or technical evaluation of interactive systems, and experience with popular machine learning computer vision models and/or software.
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, with the exact start date 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.
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. ESA may also ask applicants to undergo selection tests, and applicants must be eligible to access information, technology and hardware subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
Deadline
⏳ 30 November 2026
Links
🔗 Full vacancy and application (Apply now): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Porz-Wahn-Intern-in-the-XR-Lab/1452996933/
📘 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
