The European Space Agency (ESA) is recruiting an intern for the AOCS and Pointing Architecture Section of its Electrical 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 develop an AOCS and pointing performance assessment tool with a time-domain simulator and a robust tuning pipeline, used for early definition of future Earth Observation and Science missions.
ESA AOCS and Pointing Internship: Key Facts
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21021
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🚀 Directorate: Technology, Engineering and Quality
🏙️ Workplace: Noordwijk, NL
📍 Location: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
🌐 Publication method: external only
⏳ Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
The AOCS and Pointing Architecture Section: Team and Mission
The Attitude and Orbit Control System (AOCS) and Pointing Architecture Section provides functional support to ESA projects in the technical field of AOCS and pointing systems. It supports ESA missions in the following applicative directorates: Earth Observation, Science, Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity.
The section carries out technological research, harmonisation and standardisation in the field of AOCS and pointing systems. Its focus is on subsystem competitiveness, and on innovation for performance, robustness and process improvements.
Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website.
Your Internship Project: A Performance Assessment Tool and Time-Domain Simulator
As an intern in the section, you will develop an AOCS and pointing performance assessment tool and its time-domain simulator, together with a robust tuning pipeline. According to the vacancy, the goal is to enable early mission feasibility assessment and architecture trade-offs.
The updated version of the tool will be used for the early definition of future Earth Observation and Science missions during the internship.
Objective 1: Gyroless Architectures and Star Tracker Accommodation
You would model and document the main performance drivers, with a focus on gyroless architectures and Star Tracker accommodation. The vacancy names three areas inside this objective:
🧭 Fusion of non-orthogonal Star Tracker Optical Heads.
🌟 The dynamic-stellar estimator.
⚙️ The tachometer-stellar estimator.
Objective 2: Robust Control Synthesis and Controller Tuning
You would consolidate the controller tuning optimisation, which is already implemented in the tool, with robust control synthesis and analysis for further optimised performance. This includes a generic design and tuning pipeline and the documentation of the process, including the comparison with respect to the initial optimised tuning.
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Objective 3: Architecture Trade-Offs Across Hardware Suites
You would consolidate the architecture trade-off capacities already implemented in the tool. This means performing and documenting systematic performance evaluations over sets of hardware suites (sensors and actuators) for architecture trade-offs, for different missions.
Objective 4: Early Micro-Vibrations Impact Assessment
You would consolidate the early micro-vibrations impact assessment already implemented in the tool. The vacancy lists two improvements and one piece of documentation:
📈 An improved Reaction Wheel disturbance spectrum, built as a catalogue of waterfall plots.
📡 A high frequency dynamics envelope.
📝 Documentation of the models and the process, including how to set the dynamics envelope without a full satellite Finite Element Model.
Objective 5: Verification and Validation
You would consolidate the verification and validation of the tool and simulator, with built-in verification tests and documentation.
Objective 6: Documentation, User Manual and Hands-On Training
You would consolidate the tool and simulator documentation with a user manual and hands-on training. The vacancy lists what the training covers:
🛠️ Setting up the tool.
🛰️ Configuring it for a new satellite mission.
🔍 Running early performance assessment and performing architecture trade-offs.
🎚️ Controller optimised tuning.
✅ Running consolidated performance assessment with further improved robust tuning.
What You Will Do During the Internship
Put together, the work covers these tasks:
🧮 Developing the AOCS and pointing performance assessment tool and its time-domain simulator.
🔧 Building a robust tuning pipeline for early mission feasibility assessment.
🧬 Modelling and documenting the main performance drivers of gyroless architectures and Star Tracker accommodation.
🏗️ Documenting systematic performance evaluations over sets of sensors and actuators for different missions.
🌀 Improving the Reaction Wheel disturbance spectrum and the high frequency dynamics envelope.
🧪 Adding built-in verification tests to the tool and simulator.
📚 Writing a user manual and giving hands-on training.
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 and Skills 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.
During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.
Knowledge and background in the following fields is an asset:
📡 Sensors, actuators and dynamics modelling.
🎛️ Robust control and performance.
💻 Matlab/Simulink and Python.
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.
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.
Export Control and Sanctions Eligibility
Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
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 AOCS and pointing internship take place?
The internship is based at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands, within the AOCS and Pointing Architecture Section of ESA's Electrical Department in the Technology, Engineering and Quality directorate.
What does the AOCS and Pointing Architecture Section do?
It provides functional support to ESA projects in AOCS and pointing systems for missions in Earth Observation, Science, Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity. It also carries out technological research, harmonisation and standardisation in this field.
What will I develop during this internship?
You will develop an AOCS and pointing performance assessment tool and its time-domain simulator with a robust tuning pipeline. The tool enables early mission feasibility assessment and architecture trade-offs, and it will be used for early definition of future Earth Observation and Science missions.
Which technical topics does the internship cover?
The vacancy covers gyroless architectures and Star Tracker accommodation, robust control synthesis and controller tuning, architecture trade-offs over sets of sensors and actuators, early micro-vibrations impact assessment with a Reaction Wheel disturbance spectrum, verification and validation, and documentation with a user manual and hands-on training.
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.
Which skills are an asset?
Knowledge and background in sensors, actuators and dynamics modelling, robust control and performance, and Matlab/Simulink and Python is an asset.
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 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.
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 21021): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Noordwijk-Intern-in-the-Electrical-Department-AOCS-and-Pointing-Architecture-Section/1452879733/
📰 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
