The European Space Agency (ESA) is looking for an intern in the Power Systems Architecture Section of its Electrical Department at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands. You choose between two topics: AI for advanced digital control and failure prediction of DC/DC converters or AI assisted design of DC/DC converters. 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
🏛️ Organisation: European Space Agency (ESA)
🛰️ Role: Intern in the Electrical Department, Power Systems Architecture Section
🆔 Job requisition ID: 21030
🗂️ Directorate: Technology, Engineering and Quality
📍 Location: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
⏱️ Duration: 3 to 6 months
📆 Start: from February 2027, with the exact start agreed with your ESA tutor
🌐 Publication method: external only
🔚 Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
The Power Systems Architecture Section: Our Team and Mission
The Power Systems Architecture Section supports space missions and technology research and development activities by defining and optimising spacecraft power system architectures.
The team contributes to the sizing and design of power generation, power conditioning and power distribution systems that safely regulate and deliver electrical power to spacecraft equipment.
Your Work Environment as an Intern
As an intern, you would work in a multidisciplinary engineering environment, collaborating with specialists in power electronics and spacecraft systems.
You would use advanced engineering tools and simulation techniques to assess electrical performance, analyse system dynamics and investigate failure modes under different space mission conditions. According to the vacancy, this provides a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative technologies that support future space missions.
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:
1️⃣ Topic 1: AI for Advanced Digital Control and Failure Prediction of DC/DC Converters
2️⃣ Topic 2: AI assisted Design of DC/DC converters
Both topics are hosted in the Power Systems Architecture section in the TEC-EP Division.
Topic 1: Making Digitally Controlled DC/DC Converters Smarter
The objective is to investigate how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can enhance the performance, robustness and autonomy of digitally controlled DC/DC converters for space applications.
Topic 1: What the Work May Include
The work may include:
🎛️ AI-assisted control strategies
🔧 Adaptive tuning of control parameters
🚨 Anomaly detection
🩺 Health monitoring
🔮 Predictive failure analysis based on telemetry and operational data
Topic 1: Techniques You Would Explore
You would explore techniques such as machine learning, neural networks and digital twins to improve converter efficiency, stability, reliability and fault tolerance, while supporting future intelligent power management architectures.
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Topic 2: Speeding Up the Design of DC/DC Converters
The objective is to explore the application of Artificial Intelligence to support and accelerate the design of DC/DC converters.
Topic 2: Areas of Investigation
Areas of investigation may include:
🧩 Topology selection
🔬 Semiconductor sizing and loss estimation
🧲 Magnetic component design
🕹️ Control system development
📐 Multi-objective optimisation
Topic 2: AI Agents and Engineering Design Tools
The work will assess how specialised AI agents, combined with engineering design tools, can automate design tasks, improve design quality, reduce development time and support engineers throughout the converter design process.
The study will focus on creating efficient AI-driven workflows for power electronics engineering.
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.
Skills Considered an Asset
Knowledge and background in the following is considered an asset:
🔋 DC/DC power conversion
⚙️ Power converter control
💻 FPGA programming
Behavioural Competencies
The vacancy lists six behavioural competencies and refers to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook for more information:
🏆 Result Orientation
📈 Operational Efficiency
🤝 Fostering Cooperation
💬 Relationship Management
🔁 Continuous Improvement
🔭 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:
🗓️ The internship lasts 3 to 6 months
🚀 It starts from February 2027, and the exact start date is determined with your ESA tutor
📝 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 Power Systems Architecture Section internship take place?
The internship takes place at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands. The role belongs to the Power Systems Architecture 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 for Advanced Digital Control and Failure Prediction of DC/DC Converters. Topic 2 is AI assisted Design of DC/DC converters. Both are hosted in the Power Systems Architecture section in the TEC-EP Division.
What does the Power Systems Architecture Section do?
The section supports space missions and technology research and development activities by defining and optimising spacecraft power system architectures. It contributes to the sizing and design of power generation, power conditioning and power distribution systems that safely regulate and deliver electrical power to spacecraft equipment.
What would I do in the failure prediction topic?
You would investigate how AI can enhance the performance, robustness and autonomy of digitally controlled DC/DC converters for space applications. The work may include AI-assisted control strategies, adaptive tuning of control parameters, anomaly detection, health monitoring and predictive failure analysis based on telemetry and operational data.
Which techniques would I explore in Topic 1?
You would explore techniques such as machine learning, neural networks and digital twins. The aim is to improve converter efficiency, stability, reliability and fault tolerance while supporting future intelligent power management architectures.
What would I do in the converter design topic?
You would explore how AI can support and accelerate the design of DC/DC converters. Areas of investigation may include topology selection, semiconductor sizing and loss estimation, magnetic component design, control system development and multi-objective optimisation.
How do AI agents feature in Topic 2?
The work will assess how specialised AI agents, combined with engineering design tools, can automate design tasks, improve design quality, reduce development time and support engineers throughout the converter design process. The study focuses on creating efficient AI-driven workflows for power electronics engineering.
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 background counts as an asset?
Knowledge and background in DC/DC power conversion, power converter control and FPGA programming is considered an asset.
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
⏳ 30 November 2026
Links
🔗 Apply now (official vacancy): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Noordwijk-Intern-in-the-Electrical-Department-Power-Systems-Architecture-Section/1452881333/
📢 ESA Student Internships 2027 announcement: https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/ESA_Student_Internships_2027_are_now_open
🌐 ESA website: https://www.esa.int
📧 ESA internships contact: ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int
