The European Space Agency (ESA) is looking for an intern in the Equipment and Technology Section of its Electrical Department at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands. You choose between two topics: AI-assisted analysis of compact atomic clocks or AI aided design for THz applications. 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 at a Glance: ESA Electrical Department, Noordwijk
๐๏ธ Organisation: European Space Agency (ESA)
๐ฐ๏ธ Role: Intern in the Electrical Department, Equipment and Technology Section
๐ Job requisition ID: 21027
๐๏ธ Directorate: Technology, Engineering and Quality
๐ Location: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
๐ Type of appointment: Intern
โฑ๏ธ Duration: 3 to 6 months
๐ Start: from February 2027, with the exact start agreed with your ESA tutor
๐ Publication method: external only
๐ Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
The Radio Frequency Payloads & Technology Division: Our Team and Mission
The Radio Frequency Payloads & Technology Division (TEC-EF) is responsible from early definition to full qualification of RF payloads, TT&C subsystems, RF instruments and technologies for space and ground applications. This includes all equipment having a Radio Frequency space/ground interface and its associated laboratories.
The Division consists of four sections covering the following domains.
What the Division Covers: Nine Technical Domains
๐ถ Payloads with RF interface exploiting different technologies (for example analogue, digital, optical), including design and performance analysis tools and testing
๐ฌ RF active and passive instruments, including design and performance analysis, engineering and testing up to sub-millimetre waves
๐ฐ๏ธ Telemetry, tracking and control (TT&C) subsystems and payload data transmission (PDT) subsystems, including deep space and near Earth transponders, proximity and intersatellite (ISL) link antennas and equipment, high speed downlink modulators and digital communication equipment
๐ Wave-propagation and interaction, including signal impairments and regulatory aspects
๐ Performance assessment of RF and Optical remote sensing data products, including spurious effects mitigation and calibration techniques
๐ก Antenna systems, architecture, technologies and techniques for all space applications, including space vehicle TT&C and user segment terminals, sub-millimetre wave instruments and associated technologies, as well as antenna engineering and RF testing of antenna and materials
๐ RF equipment and technologies, including RF passive technologies, RF active technologies, vacuum electronics and high power RF phenomena (multipactor, corona, power handling and passive intermodulation)
๐พ RF Payload digital equipment, and on-board Payload Signal and Data Processing algorithms and techniques for RF payloads and instruments, in close collaboration with TEC-ED
โณ Time and frequency generation and distribution equipment (for example microwave and optical with RF interfaces), techniques, performance tools, measurements and characterisation
Time and Frequency Technologies in the TEC-EFE Section
Within the TEC-EFE section, the team works on Time and Frequency (T&F) technologies. Oscillators, atomic clocks, clock monitoring units and UTC laboratory tools for time realisation and time transfer require extensive characterisation and performance analysis under a wide range of operational and environmental conditions.
The vacancy invites interested candidates to visit the ESA website (listed in the Links section below).
Choose Your Topic: Two Internship Options
The vacancy lets you choose among the following topics:
1๏ธโฃ Topic 1: AI-Assisted Analysis of Compact Clocks
2๏ธโฃ Topic 2: AI aided design for THz applications
Topic 1: Analysing Compact Clock Anomalies
You would contribute to the analysis and characterisation of space atomic clocks, with a particular focus on the investigation of compact clock anomalies, including frequency jumps and their correlation with housekeeping telemetry parameters.
You would work with real measurement data obtained from long-term laboratory and environmental test campaigns, analyse clock performance and compare the observed behaviour against existing in-house clock models.
Topic 1: Post-Processing and Visualisation of Time and Frequency Data
The activities include post-processing and visualisation of time and frequency data from two kinds of timing technologies:
๐ฐ๏ธ Conventional space-qualified atomic clocks
๐ Emerging low Size, Weight and Power (low-SWaP) timing technologies
You would identify trends, recurring patterns, frequency excursions and deviations from the expected clock behaviour, while assessing potential correlations with operational and environmental factors.
Topic 1: Machine Learning for Atomic Clock Monitoring
The internship also provides exposure to state-of-the-art techniques for atomic clock monitoring and performance assessment. You would investigate and evaluate the applicability of data-driven approaches, including machine learning methods, for anomaly detection, classification and prediction.
Particular emphasis is placed on developing tools and methodologies capable of supporting the automated analysis of large telemetry and frequency datasets.
Topic 1: What You Would Gain
Through this work, you would gain hands-on experience in:
โฒ๏ธ Space timing technologies
ใฐ๏ธ Signal processing
๐ Statistical analysis
๐๏ธ Data analytics
๐ง Machine learning
You would also contribute to activities relevant to current and future navigation, telecommunications and scientific missions relying on highly stable frequency references.
โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ
๐ All opportunities in Netherlands โ
โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ
Topic 2: How THz Receivers Are Designed Today
The design of millimetre and sub-millimetre wave receivers featuring Schottky diode devices as non-linear elements for mixers and multipliers is traditionally done via a combination of 3D Electro-Magnetic (EM) simulations and linear/non-linear circuit simulations with harmonic-balanced capabilities.
Software EM/circuit suites usually integrate both types of solvers with direct interaction between modules. However, the optimisation and circuit topology, including waveguide cavities, active device modelling and packaging, rely heavily on the designer's experience. In that respect, the final circuit design often looks like the previous ones with only minor modifications.
Topic 2: Training an AI on Past Designs
Your objective for this internship is to train an Artificial Intelligence (AI) using existing designs successfully demonstrated in the past and recently published designs from peer-reviewed literature. The goal is to improve the performance of combined building blocks (mixer and multiplier) in a co-design approach at the higher integration level, for best system performance.
Topic 2: What You Would Investigate
You would investigate the use of AI to explore:
๐ Novel circuit topologies with improved waveguide coupling
๐งฎ Better non-linear device models
๐ก๏ธ Possibly coupling to a thermal software package
Topic 2: Why It Matters for Future Missions
This work would greatly benefit potential future integration and performance optimisation of radiometer instruments on board future meteorological missions. The vacancy names the next generation of MetOp-SG, AWS (sub)-millimetre-wave payload instruments and EE12 Keystone THz spectrometer candidate missions.
Topic 2: Beyond THz, Towards D-Band and Above
The new design methodology based on AI could be extended in the future to any transmit/receiver development at higher frequencies (D-band and above), where the packaging of active devices (transistors, diodes and similar) plays a key role in the optimisation of performance.
Education Requirements
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.
Required Skills
You should also have:
๐ Good knowledge of signal processing, data analysis, probability and statistics
๐ Prior experience in high-level programming languages such as Python and MATLAB
Skills Considered an Asset
The following will be considered assets:
โฑ๏ธ Knowledge of time-series analysis and measurement data processing
๐ฅ๏ธ Experience with scientific computing and data visualisation tools
๐๏ธ Familiarity with measurement systems, instrumentation or test automation
๐ค Knowledge of Machine Learning techniques
Behavioural Competencies
The vacancy lists six behavioural competencies and refers to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook for more information:
๐ Result Orientation
โ๏ธ Operational Efficiency
๐ค Fostering Cooperation
๐ฌ Relationship Management
๐ Continuous Improvement
๐ฎ Forward Thinking
Which Nationalities Can Apply
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 2027 student internships announcement:
๐๏ธ The internship lasts 3 to 6 months
๐ It starts from February 2027, and the exact start date is determined with your ESA tutor
๐ A candidate can apply for a maximum of 2 internship vacancies
Selection Process
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
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.
The Agency 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. If you would like to discuss this further, you can contact ESA at ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int.
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.
Find more opportunities like this in our internship and traineeship listings on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the ESA Equipment and Technology Section internship take place?
The internship takes place at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands. The role belongs to the Equipment and Technology Section of the Electrical Department, within the Technology, Engineering and Quality Directorate.
Which topics can I choose from?
The vacancy offers two topics. Topic 1 is AI-Assisted Analysis of Compact Clocks. Topic 2 is AI aided design for THz applications.
What would I do in the compact clocks topic?
You would contribute to the analysis and characterisation of space atomic clocks, focusing on compact clock anomalies such as frequency jumps and their correlation with housekeeping telemetry parameters. You would work with real measurement data from long-term laboratory and environmental test campaigns and compare the observed behaviour against existing in-house clock models.
How does machine learning feature in the clocks topic?
You would investigate and evaluate data-driven approaches, including machine learning methods, for anomaly detection, classification and prediction. The emphasis is on tools and methodologies that support automated analysis of large telemetry and frequency datasets.
What would I do in the THz topic?
You would train an AI using existing designs successfully demonstrated in the past and recently published designs from peer-reviewed literature. The aim is to improve the performance of combined mixer and multiplier building blocks in a co-design approach at the higher integration level.
What would I investigate with AI in the THz topic?
You would investigate the use of AI to explore novel circuit topologies with improved waveguide coupling, better non-linear device models, and possibly coupling to a thermal software package.
Which missions could benefit from the THz work?
The vacancy names the potential future integration and performance optimisation of radiometer instruments on board future meteorological missions: the next generation of MetOp-SG, AWS (sub)-millimetre-wave payload instruments and EE12 Keystone THz spectrometer candidate missions.
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 skills does the vacancy ask for?
You should have good knowledge of signal processing, data analysis, probability and statistics, and prior experience in high-level programming languages such as Python and MATLAB. Time-series analysis, scientific computing and data visualisation tools, measurement systems and test automation, and Machine Learning techniques are considered assets.
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
โณ 30 November 2026
Links
๐ Apply now (official vacancy): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Noordwijk-Intern-in-the-Electrical-Department-Equipment-and-Technology-Section/1452880833/
๐ข ESA Student Internships 2027 announcement: https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/ESA_Student_Internships_2027_are_now_open
๐ ESA website: https://www.esa.int
๐ง ESA internships contact: ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int
