The European Space Agency (ESA) is recruiting an Artificial Intelligence intern in its Galileo and EGNOS Programme 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 join an engineering team working on Galileo's ground infrastructure and develop AI applications that support the review of software deliveries.
ESA Galileo and EGNOS Artificial Intelligence Internship: Key Facts
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 20994
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
📡 Directorate: Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity
🏙️ Workplace: Noordwijk, NL
📍 Location: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
🌐 Publication method: external only
⏳ Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
Galileo: Europe's Global Navigation Satellite System
Galileo is the European Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), providing highly accurate and autonomous Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) services under civilian control. It includes multiple services such as the classic Open Service, High Accuracy Service, Search and Rescue Service and new developments such as the Emergency Warning Satellite System, Return Link Service, and the Timing Service Message.
The programme is overseen by the European Commission, with ESA responsible for development, deployment, and system design.
The Galileo Ground Segment: What the Team Works On
The Galileo ground segment is the network of facilities and systems on Earth that enable the operation, control, and maintenance of the satellite constellation and its services. It includes the mission control infrastructure responsible for managing satellite operations and ensuring precise orbit and timing determination, as well as the system that processes navigation signals and generates data for user positioning.
The ground segment also comprises a global network of sensor stations that continuously monitor the signals transmitted by the satellites, uplink stations that send updated navigation data and commands to the spacecraft, and additional facilities that provide security, system integrity, and service performance monitoring. Together, these elements ensure the reliability, accuracy, and availability of Galileo services worldwide.
Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website.
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Joining an Engineering Team at the Heart of Satellite Navigation
You will join an engineering team working at the heart of one of Europe's most advanced satellite navigation ground infrastructures.
As an intern, you will contribute to the adoption of artificial intelligence technologies within a real engineering environment. You will investigate how artificial intelligence can improve software validation activities, enhance engineering efficiency and support better decision-making across the team.
Your Tasks as an Artificial Intelligence Intern
As an intern, you will have the following tasks:
🧪 Developing artificial intelligence applications to support the review of software deliveries, including software quality assessment, source code analysis and security checks
📊 Evaluating emerging artificial intelligence models, tools and techniques to determine their suitability and performance
🛠️ Identifying opportunities to improve ways of working through intelligent assistants and autonomous software agents, and proposing innovative approaches to increase team productivity
What You Will Gain During the Internship
During your internship, you will gain practical experience in:
🏭 Applying artificial intelligence technologies in a professional engineering environment
🔐 Secure software development and deployment practices
🆕 Evaluating emerging artificial intelligence models and technologies
💬 Communicating technical findings to both technical and non-technical audiences
A Chance to Shape How AI Is Used in a Large-Scale Operational Environment
This internship offers a unique opportunity to engage with cutting-edge technologies while contributing to the future adoption of artificial intelligence in a large-scale operational environment. You will collaborate with experienced engineers, gain exposure to real-world challenges and help shape innovative ways of working through the responsible use of artificial intelligence.
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.
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 software engineering and agentic artificial intelligence are assets.
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. Applicants from Canada as a Cooperating State can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).
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.
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 artificial intelligence internship take place?
The internship is based at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands, within the Galileo and EGNOS Programme Department. The vacancy lists the Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity directorate.
What will I work on during the internship?
You would join an engineering team working on one of Europe's most advanced satellite navigation ground infrastructures and contribute to the adoption of artificial intelligence in a real engineering environment. You would investigate how artificial intelligence can improve software validation activities, enhance engineering efficiency and support better decision-making.
What are the main tasks?
The tasks are developing artificial intelligence applications to support the review of software deliveries (software quality assessment, source code analysis and security checks), evaluating emerging artificial intelligence models, tools and techniques, and identifying opportunities to improve ways of working through intelligent assistants and autonomous software agents.
What will I gain from the internship?
You will gain practical experience in applying artificial intelligence in a professional engineering environment, secure software development and deployment practices, evaluating emerging artificial intelligence models and technologies, and communicating technical findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
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, including applicants from Canada as a Cooperating State and from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta as European Cooperating States.
Which skills are an asset?
The vacancy names knowledge and background in software engineering and agentic artificial intelligence as 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.
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 20994): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Noordwijk-Intern-in-the-Galileo-and-EGNOS-Programme-Department-Artificial-Intelligence/1452922033/
📰 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
