The European Space Agency (ESA) is recruiting a digital transformation 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 adapt Jira to improve task management, team collaboration and communication across the projects of Europe's satellite navigation ground infrastructure.
ESA Galileo and EGNOS Digital Transformation Internship: Key Facts
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 20995
🎓 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, the High Accuracy Service and the Search and Rescue Service, as well as new developments such as the Emergency Warning Satellite System, the 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: Team and Mission
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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Field of Activity: Inside the Galileo Ground Infrastructure
You will join an engineering team working at the heart of one of Europe's most advanced satellite navigation ground infrastructures.
This internship offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in agile task management and information exchange within a dynamic, multifaceted system. You will focus on adapting Jira, a robust task management tool, to optimise task management, enhance team collaboration and streamline communication across various projects and teams.
What You Will Do as an Intern
As an intern, you will have the following tasks:
🔎 Analysing existing processes with their users to identify user problems and needs
✏️ Defining and refining processes
🛠️ Creating and customising Jira, Confluence and other tool projects for those processes
🤖 Exploring the use of AI in these processes
🤝 Developing tools in very close collaboration with our stakeholders
📊 Making process information available through dashboards
🔄 Continuously updating the projects and tools to improve them
💬 Providing direct assistance to process stakeholders
What You Will Gain During the Internship
During your internship, you will gain practical experience in:
🧱 Streamlining processes for the management of large and complex systems
⚙️ Optimising essential tools for real-world applications, including Jira and Confluence
📋 Project management methodologies, including Agile and Kanban
📣 Effective communication strategies across multidisciplinary teams
💻 AI-assisted software development
Building Problem-Solving Skills in a Multi-Team Environment
This role will also help you develop problem-solving and analytical abilities as you navigate the challenges of managing a multi-project, multi-team environment while collaborating with experienced engineers.
The position is described as ideal for candidates looking to apply theoretical knowledge to practical, agile development environments and information systems.
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.
Additional Requirements: Technical Background
The vacancy lists the following under additional requirements:
🐍 Python 3 language
🌐 Web application development
🧠 Large Language Models usage, i.e. ChatGPT, Claude, Mistral
📘 Knowledge and background in Jira and Confluence 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 Galileo and EGNOS digital transformation internship take place?
The internship is based at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands, within the Galileo and EGNOS Programme Department. The vacancy lists the Directorate of Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity.
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. The focus is adapting Jira to optimise task management, enhance team collaboration and streamline communication across various projects and teams.
What tasks will I have as an intern?
You would analyse existing processes with their users, define and refine processes, create and customise Jira, Confluence and other tool projects, explore the use of AI in these processes and develop tools in close collaboration with stakeholders. You would also make process information available through dashboards, keep updating the projects and tools, and provide direct assistance to process stakeholders.
What will I gain from the internship?
You will gain practical experience in streamlining processes for large and complex systems, optimising tools such as Jira and Confluence, Agile and Kanban project management methodologies, communication across multidisciplinary teams and AI-assisted software development.
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 technical skills does the vacancy mention?
The vacancy lists Python 3, web application development and the use of Large Language Models such as ChatGPT, Claude and Mistral. Knowledge and background in Jira and Confluence 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.
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 20995): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Noordwijk-Intern-in-the-Galileo-and-EGNOS-Programme-Department-Digital-Transformation/1452922133/
📰 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
