The European Space Agency (ESA) is recruiting an intern for the GNC Systems 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 adapt ESA's internal simulation infrastructure, in particular existing Descent and Landing simulators, to support the definition of the GNC system for the Enceladus L4 mission.
ESA GNC Systems Architecture Internship: Key Facts
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21022
🎓 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 GNC Systems Architecture Section: Team and Mission
The Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) Systems Architecture Section provides functional support to ESA projects in the technical field of GNC systems for planetary exploration orbiters and landers, launch and transportation systems, re-entry vehicles, and new generation space vehicles for in-orbit servicing, in-orbit assembly, debris removal and specialised applications such as rendezvous and formation flying.
The section carries out technological research in the domain of GNC systems for space vehicles including interplanetary cruise, aero assistance, precision landing, ascent, rendezvous and docking, re-entry, formation flying and drag-free systems.
Areas of Special Emphasis
Special emphasis is placed on the following areas:
🤖 Autonomous and fault-tolerant systems, including health monitoring systems.
🧮 Advanced guidance, control, estimation and optimisation techniques and tools.
📷 The technology development of GNC sensors, with a focus on vision-based navigation and hybrid navigation concepts.
Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website.
Your Internship: Adapting Descent and Landing Simulators for Enceladus
As an intern in the GNC Systems Architecture Section, you will adapt the internal simulation infrastructure to support the definition of the GNC System for future planetary exploration missions.
In particular, the activity focuses on adapting existing Descent and Landing simulators to support the Enceladus L4 mission, a future Science mission.
The Goal: A Tool to Assess Preliminary Landing Performance
The objective is to develop a tool to be used to assess preliminary landing performance and identify the key GNC challenges associated with the mission. The aim is to inform the mission designers of the critical developments needed in future project phases.
────────────────────────────────────────
🌍 All opportunities in the Netherlands →
────────────────────────────────────────
What the Work Will Involve
Put together, the work will involve:
🧱 Defining the GNC System architecture, including sensors, actuators, modes and the functional GNC architecture.
🛬 Designing a suitable landing trajectory, taking into account the relevant mission and environmental constraints.
🔧 Tailoring the existing guidance, navigation, and control algorithms to meet mission requirements.
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
Two things are named as an asset in the vacancy:
🛰️ Knowledge and background in GNC simulator architectures.
💻 A basic knowledge of the Julia programming language.
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 GNC Systems Architecture internship take place?
The internship is based at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands, within the GNC Systems Architecture Section of ESA's Electrical Department in the Technology, Engineering and Quality directorate.
What will I work on as an intern?
You will adapt the internal simulation infrastructure to support the definition of the GNC System for future planetary exploration missions. The activity focuses on adapting existing Descent and Landing simulators to support the Enceladus L4 mission, a future Science mission.
What is the objective of the internship?
The objective is to develop a tool to assess preliminary landing performance and identify the key GNC challenges associated with the mission. This informs the mission designers of the critical developments needed in future project phases.
What tasks does the work involve?
The work involves defining the GNC System architecture (sensors, actuators, modes, functional GNC architecture), designing a suitable landing trajectory that takes into account the relevant mission and environmental constraints, and tailoring the existing guidance, navigation, and control algorithms to meet mission requirements.
What does the GNC Systems Architecture Section do?
It provides functional support to ESA projects in the technical field of GNC systems for planetary exploration orbiters and landers, launch and transportation systems, re-entry vehicles, and new generation space vehicles. It also carries out technological research in GNC systems for space vehicles.
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 GNC simulator architectures and a basic knowledge of the Julia programming language are 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.
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 21022): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Noordwijk-Intern-in-the-Electrical-Department-GNC-Systems-Architecture-Section/1452880033/
📰 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
