The European Space Agency (ESA) is recruiting an intern for the Data Handling Systems 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: the internship explores how neuromorphic, event-based computing can bring efficient AI to on-board data handling systems in space.
Vacancy at a Glance
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21023
🎓 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
Inside the Avionics and EEE Division
The Avionics and EEE Division plays a pivotal role in ensuring the reliability and advancement of spacecraft avionics and component technologies. Its mission spans design assurance, qualification, and testing of EEE components, as well as radiation hardness assurance for space systems in its domain of responsibility.
The division operates specialised laboratories and provides expertise to ESA projects, industry, and research partners. It actively disseminates knowledge through internal and external training, conference participation, and tutoring of PhD students, ESA Graduate Trainees (EGTs), and National Trainees, fostering innovation and professional growth.
The Components Section
The vacancy describes the Components Section as responsible for ensuring that all EEE components (passive and active) flown on ESA missions are suitable for their application and the environment for which they are intended. It leads the development of EEE components and their qualification.
The section works with the European Space Component Coordination (ESCC) executives and actively supports European Cooperation for Space Standardisation (ECSS) standardisation activities. It also conducts Research and Development (R&D) activities in its domain of responsibility.
The Radiation and Component Reliability Section
This section assesses all aspects of EEE component radiation effects, so that components flown on ESA missions are suitable for the radiation environment and their assigned application for the duration of the mission. It is also responsible for all EEE component laboratory test and analysis activities.
The section conducts R&D activities in its domain of responsibility, manages the EEE Component Laboratory Facility, and actively supports ESCC and ECSS standardisation activities.
The Microelectronics Section
The Microelectronics Section is responsible for the development and verification of all microelectronic devices flown on ESA missions. The vacancy names these examples:
🤖 AI accelerators
🔲 FPGAs
🧩 ASICs
⚡ Microprocessors
🧱 Microelectronic processes
📐 Instruction Set Architecture (ISA)
☢️ Radiation-aware design
🔧 Prototyping and test for space-grade microelectronics
The section conducts R&D activities in its domain of responsibility, manages the Microelectronics Laboratory Facility, and actively supports ECSS standardisation activities.
The Avionic Architecture Section
The Avionic Architecture Section is responsible for supporting all ESA missions in the area of avionics sub-system development, their verification and validation, and their qualification within the framework of the agency's strategic objectives.
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Your Home Team: The Data Handling Section
The internship sits in the Data Handling area. The section is responsible for on-board data handling sub-systems, both Platform and Payload. It develops and qualifies equipment for data acquisition, processing, and distribution. The vacancy lists these examples:
🚌 Buses
🔌 Interfaces
💽 Mass-memory
⛓️ Data-processing chains
📟 Remote interface units
On-board data processing is an important focus of the section, including the development of turn-key AI hardware solutions for ESA missions. The section conducts R&D activities in its domain of responsibility, manages the Data Handling Laboratory Facility, and actively supports ECSS and CCSDS standardisation activities.
The Flight Software Section
The Flight Software Section designs and maintains flight software for spacecraft control and payload management. It addresses real-time operating systems, fault detection and recovery, and software validation frameworks.
The team also explores advanced concepts such as AI-assisted on-board processing, ensuring adaptability and resilience in increasingly complex missions. The section conducts R&D activities in its domain of responsibility, manages the Flight Software Laboratory Facility, and actively supports ECSS and CCSDS standardisation activities.
Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website.
Internship Topic: Neuromorphic Computing for On-Board AI
The topic of the internship is the utilisation of neuromorphic technology for efficient AI implementation in space on-board Data Handling System applications.
Why Edge AI Matters for Space
Recent AI developments have primarily relied on large-scale GPU-based cloud infrastructures, but this approach faces challenges with latency, power consumption, and data privacy. To address these issues, there is an increasing shift toward edge AI.
Upcoming ESA missions will require greater on-board autonomy, using AI-powered smart sensors. However, SWaP constraints (size, weight and power) may require energy efficient solutions, particularly when deployed on rovers, probes, or landers.
What the Activity Aims to Show
The proposed activity shall highlight how event-based processing, neuromorphic technology, could effectively address these limitations, enabling efficient object detection, classification, and tracking.
Step 1: Finding Use Cases Where Neuromorphic Computing Wins
The activity will identify use cases in which event-based, or neuromorphic, computing can outperform or complement artificial neural networks deployed on conventional FPGA, GPU, or TPU platforms. Key advantages include lower power consumption and reduced latency, particularly when event-based sensors, such as cameras, are paired with event processors.
Event-Based Cameras Versus Frame Cameras
Conventional frame cameras typically operate at 25–100 Hz, while event-based cameras can achieve sampling rates of up to 1 MHz. Combining an event-based camera with an event processor can therefore significantly improve the tracking of fast-moving objects and operation in low-signal-to-noise conditions, such as low-light environments.
Step 2: Datasets and the Digital Twin
Relevant datasets will then be identified or, if real data are unavailable, generated using a digital twin. According to the vacancy, this approach is particularly suitable for several space scenarios:
🛰️ Debris detection
🌙 Landing
🤝 Proximity operations such as docking
🛠️ Servicing
🧲 Capture
Step 3: A Laboratory Testbed on Neuromorphyx Boards
Finally, a testbed based on Neuromorphyx boards will be deployed for laboratory demonstration. The vacancy names two main components of the testbed:
📷 A NeuroSight event-based camera (Prophesee GenX320)
🧠 A NeuroCore event inference engine (BrainChip AKD 1500)
The vacancy also points to Neuromorphyx as a neuromorphic edge AI hardware platform.
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.
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 That Counts as an Asset
Knowledge and background in the following areas is an asset:
🤖 AI knowledge
🔬 Electronics
During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.
Six Behavioural Competencies ESA Looks For
The vacancy lists these 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.
Nationality Requirement
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.
Length, Start Date and Number of Applications
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
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests.
Export Control and Sanctions
Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
Equal Opportunities at ESA
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. It therefore 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 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 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 Handling Systems internship take place?
The internship is based at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands, within the Data Handling Systems Section of ESA's Electrical Department in the Technology, Engineering and Quality directorate.
What is the topic of the internship?
The topic is the utilisation of neuromorphic technology for efficient AI implementation in space on-board Data Handling System applications. The activity looks at how event-based processing can address the latency, power and data privacy limits of cloud-based AI.
What does the Data Handling Section do?
It is responsible for on-board data handling sub-systems, both Platform and Payload. It develops and qualifies equipment for data acquisition, processing, and distribution, and it develops turn-key AI hardware solutions for ESA missions.
What will the internship activity produce?
The activity identifies use cases where neuromorphic computing can outperform or complement neural networks on conventional FPGA, GPU, or TPU platforms. It then identifies or generates relevant datasets using a digital twin and deploys a laboratory testbed based on Neuromorphyx boards.
Which hardware is used in the testbed?
The testbed integrates a NeuroSight event-based camera (Prophesee GenX320) with a NeuroCore event inference engine (BrainChip AKD 1500).
Why use event-based cameras?
Conventional frame cameras typically operate at 25–100 Hz, while event-based cameras can reach up to 1 MHz. Paired with an event processor, they can significantly improve the tracking of fast-moving objects and operation in low-light conditions.
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 AI and electronics 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 21023): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Noordwijk-Intern-in-the-Electrical-Department-Data-Handling-Systems-Section/1452880133/
📰 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
