The European Space Agency (ESA) is recruiting an intern for the Metrology Laboratory of the Engineering Services Section 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 investigate point cloud post-processing methods for space-grade materials and apply them to reverse engineering a satellite mock-up.
ESA Metrology Laboratory Internship: Key Facts
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21032
🎓 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 ESTEC Test Centre: Our Team and Mission
ESA operates a Test Centre at ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, a unique place in Europe which is geared to perform environmental tests on large spacecraft and aerospace structures. The Test Centre includes the complete portfolio of test facilities to simulate the environmental conditions which are experienced by a spacecraft during its launch and early operation phase.
For more information, the vacancy refers to the ESTEC Test Centre.
Test Centre Facilities at a Glance
The vacancy lists the following facilities and equipment:
📳 Hydraulic and electrodynamic vibration test systems.
💥 Shock test facilities.
⚖️ Mass properties measurement facilities.
🧲 Electro-magnetic compatibility test facilities.
🌌 Europe's largest space simulation chamber, LSS.
🔊 Europe's largest reverberant acoustic noise test chamber.
🕹️ A 6 degree of freedom hydraulic vibration test stand.
🏋️ A 320kN horizontal and a 640kN vertical electrodynamic shaker system.
📡 A large EMC test chamber.
🌡️ A medium sized thermal vacuum chamber (Phenix).
☀️ A small vacuum chamber with high solar flux simulation (VTC 1.5).
🔩 An 80kN vibrations system and shock test benches for subsystem and equipment testing.
The Engineering Services Section: Where You Would Work
Part of the Test Centre is the Engineering Services Section. The group encompasses multidisciplinary engineering domains, ranging from mechanical, electrical and electronic design up to metrology.
Calibrations of electrical equipment and manufacturing are also areas covered by the Engineering Services Section, whose mission is to support the Test Centre and its customers, the ESTEC laboratories as well as the ESA programmes.
Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website.
Your Internship Topic: Point Cloud Post-Processing for Space-Grade Materials
The topic of the internship is "Investigation of Point Cloud Post-Processing Methodologies for Space-Grade Materials with Application to Satellite Mock-Up Reverse Engineering".
The internship will consist of a theoretical part and a practical part, and it ends with a hands-on reverse engineering application.
Where the Point Clouds Come From
As part of the measurements done by the metrology team, point clouds are generated and need to be processed, depending on the final application. The point clouds are generated from different sources:
📷 Photogrammetry cameras.
🎯 Laser tracker.
🤖 Coordinate Measurement Machines (CMM).
The density of the point clouds varies clearly based on their source. Whereas in some cases, "simple" plane fittings are required, in other applications, more is required to be extracted from the collected point clouds. The topic of the internship is the processing of these point clouds.
Theoretical Part: Literature Review
You will conduct a comprehensive literature review of existing methodologies for point cloud processing. The vacancy names these techniques:
🧹 Filtering.
🏷️ Classification.
✂️ Segmentation.
🔎 Feature extraction.
🛠️ Other relevant post-processing techniques.
Practical Part: Experimental Testing
You will investigate the performance of point cloud post-processing methods on a range of space-grade materials through experimental testing.
Reference measurements will be acquired using a Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) and compared with data obtained from laser scanning technologies, such as a CMM scanner probe, laser tracker scanner probe and/or laser radar.
Space-Grade Test Materials
The vacancy states that test materials may include:
🕸️ Mesh.
🧶 Multi-layer insulation (MLI).
🧵 Carbon fibre composites.
🔧 Aluminium.
⚙️ Steel.
The Final Goal: Reverse Engineering the Robotics Laboratory Satellite Mock-Up
Finally, you will apply the acquired theoretical knowledge and practical experience to reverse engineering the Robotics Laboratory satellite mock-up, producing the most accurate and complete digital representation possible.
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Internship Keywords
The vacancy lists these keywords for the internship:
☁️ Point clouds
💾 Data processing
🔭 3D scanning
🧊 3D models
🥼 Laboratory hands-on
📏 Metrology
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.
Background That Counts as an Asset
Knowledge and background in the use of metrological tools, as well as hands-on experience in a laboratory, are assets.
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 Metrology Laboratory internship take place?
The internship is based at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands, within the Engineering Services Section of the ESTEC Test Centre in ESA's Technology, Engineering and Quality directorate.
What is the internship topic?
The topic is "Investigation of Point Cloud Post-Processing Methodologies for Space-Grade Materials with Application to Satellite Mock-Up Reverse Engineering". It covers the processing of point clouds generated by the metrology team.
Where do the point clouds come from?
They are generated from different sources, ranging from photogrammetry cameras to laser tracker or Coordinate Measurement Machines (CMM). The density of the point clouds varies clearly based on their source.
What does the theoretical part involve?
You will conduct a comprehensive literature review of existing methodologies for point cloud processing, including filtering, classification, segmentation, feature extraction, and other relevant post-processing techniques.
What does the practical part involve?
You will investigate the performance of point cloud post-processing methods on space-grade materials through experimental testing. Reference measurements acquired with a Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) are compared with data from laser scanning technologies such as a CMM scanner probe, laser tracker scanner probe and/or laser radar.
Which materials will be tested?
According to the vacancy, test materials may include mesh, multi-layer insulation (MLI), carbon fibre composites, aluminium, and steel.
What is the final task of the internship?
You will apply the acquired theoretical knowledge and practical experience to reverse engineering the Robotics Laboratory satellite mock-up, producing the most accurate and complete digital representation possible.
What does the Engineering Services Section do?
It encompasses multidisciplinary engineering domains, ranging from mechanical, electrical and electronic design up to metrology. It also covers calibrations of electrical equipment and manufacturing, and its mission is to support the Test Centre and its customers, the ESTEC laboratories as well as the ESA programmes.
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 the use of metrological tools, as well as hands-on experience in a laboratory, are assets.
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 21032): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Noordwijk-Intern-in-the-Engineering-Services-Section-Metrology-Laboratory/1452881633/
📰 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
