The European Space Agency (ESA) is recruiting an intern for the Flight Software 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 create and validate a mixed criticality multicore processor configuration that runs both Linux and a real-time operating system on on-board computer platforms.
ESA Flight Software Internship: Key Facts
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21025
🎓 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 Avionics and EEE Division: Team and Mission
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 Flight Software Section: Where You Would Work
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 and manages the Flight Software Laboratory Facility. It actively supports ECSS/CCSDS standardisation activities.
Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website.
Your Internship Topic: Enabling the Next Generation of Spacecraft with Linux
The topic of the internship is "Enabling the Next Generation of Spacecraft with Linux". You will create and validate a mixed criticality multicore processor configuration accommodating both Linux and a real-time operating system (such as RTEMS).
The solution will be deployed on a range of on-board computer platforms. The work will be published as a reference framework enabling a wide range of missions to benefit from novel hardware solutions developed within the Avionics and EEE Division.
What You Will Do During the Internship
Put together, the work covers these tasks:
🐧 Creating a mixed criticality multicore processor configuration that accommodates Linux.
⏱️ Accommodating a real-time operating system, such as RTEMS, in the same configuration.
✅ Validating the configuration.
🖥️ Deploying the solution on a range of on-board computer platforms.
📘 Publishing the work as a reference framework for missions that want to use the novel hardware solutions of the division.
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What You Will Gain From This Internship
The vacancy states that this internship offers the opportunity to:
🛰️ Gain hands-on experience with (real-time) Linux in the context of space missions.
🔓 Work with cutting-edge open-source technologies.
🧱 Contribute to the development of reliable software platforms for future spacecraft.
Other Sections of the Avionics and EEE Division: Components
The Components Section is responsible for ensuring that all EEEE 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 EEEE Components and their qualification.
The vacancy also names European Space Component Coordination (ESCC) executives and active support for European Cooperation for Space Standardisation (ECSS) standardisation activities. The section conducts Research and Development (R&D) activities in its domain of responsibility.
Other Sections of the Avionics and EEE Division: Radiation and Component Reliability
This section is responsible for assessing all aspects of EEEE Component radiation effects, to ensure that EEEE 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 EEEE Component laboratory test and analysis activities.
The section conducts R&D activities in its domain of responsibility, manages the EEEE Component Laboratory Facility, and actively supports ESCC/ECSS standardisation activities.
Other Sections of the Avionics and EEE Division: Microelectronics
The Microelectronics Section is responsible for the development and verification of all microelectronic devices flown on ESA missions, such as AI accelerators, FPGAs, ASICs and microprocessors. Its work also covers microelectronic processes, Instruction Set Architecture (ISA), radiation-aware design, and 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.
Other Sections of the Avionics and EEE Division: Avionic Architecture
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.
Other Sections of the Avionics and EEE Division: Data Handling
The Data Handling Section is responsible for on-board data handling sub-systems (platform and payload). It develops and qualifies equipment for data acquisition, processing, and distribution, such as buses, interfaces, mass memory, data-processing chains and 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/CCSDS standardisation activities.
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 Interview 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.
Skills and Background That Count as an Asset
Knowledge and background in the following areas is an asset:
🐧 Linux kernel configuration.
🧩 Yocto Project.
🔧 U-boot boot loader.
⏱️ Real-time embedded software development.
📟 Real-time Operating Systems (e.g. RTEMS).
🏗️ Understanding of at least one of the following architectures: SPARC, ARMv7-A or RISC-V.
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
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests.
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 Flight Software internship take place?
The internship is based at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands, within the Flight Software Section of ESA's Electrical Department in the Technology, Engineering and Quality directorate.
What is the internship topic?
The topic is "Enabling the Next Generation of Spacecraft with Linux". You will create and validate a mixed criticality multicore processor configuration accommodating both Linux and a real-time operating system, such as RTEMS.
Where will the solution be used?
The solution will be deployed on a range of on-board computer platforms. The work will be published as a reference framework, so that a wide range of missions can benefit from novel hardware solutions developed within the Avionics and EEE Division.
What does the Flight Software Section do?
It 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, and it explores advanced concepts such as AI-assisted on-board processing.
What will I learn during the internship?
According to the vacancy, you will gain hands-on experience with (real-time) Linux in the context of space missions. You will also work with cutting-edge open-source technologies and contribute to the development of reliable software platforms for future spacecraft.
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 Linux kernel configuration, the Yocto Project, the U-boot boot loader, real-time embedded software development and Real-time Operating Systems (e.g. RTEMS) is an asset. So is an understanding of at least one of these architectures: SPARC, ARMv7-A or RISC-V.
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.
Do I need to be eligible for export control and sanctions regulations?
Yes. Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
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 21025): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Noordwijk-Intern-in-the-Electrical-Department-Flight-Software-Section/1452880433/
📰 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
