The European Space Agency (ESA) is recruiting an intern for AI-for-Systems Engineering (AI4SE) in the Galileo System Engineering Unit of 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 apply artificial intelligence and machine learning to the Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) model of Galileo, Europe's own global navigation satellite system.
ESA AI for Galileo System Engineering and MBSE Internship: Key Facts
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 20998
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🚀 Directorate: Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity
🏙️ Workplace: Noordwijk, NL
📍 Location: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
🌐 Publication method: external only
🏷️ Vacancy title as published: Intern in the Galileo and Egnos Programme Department - AI for Galileo System Engineering and MBSE
⏳ Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
Where You Would Sit: Galileo System Engineering Unit
The internship opportunity is within the Galileo System Engineering Unit, which belongs to the Galileo System Engineering Service, part of the Galileo Project Office in the Galileo and EGNOS Programme Department. ESA is the design authority of Galileo in support of the EU and the System Development Prime.
About Galileo
Galileo is Europe's own global navigation satellite system, providing a highly accurate, guaranteed global positioning service under civilian control. Galileo is already the most precise satellite navigation system in the world, with more than four billion users.
What the Team Does
The team oversees the definition and specification of the Galileo System releases, known as System Builds, which respond to increasing mission needs in terms of position accuracy, availability, integrity, assurance, robustness and emergency response.
🛰️ Definition of the new Galileo Second Generation satellites, with the first batch under development
📡 Updates of the current Galileo (1st Generation) fleet
🏗️ Necessary updates of the Ground Segment
🤝 Interface with service facilities and external entities
A Multidisciplinary Team
The team describes itself as multidisciplinary, enthusiastic and diverse. It works hand-in-hand with other Galileo and ESA disciplines, from radionavigation and security engineers to ground and space segment engineers.
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The Complexity Behind Galileo
Galileo is a large and complex system with hundreds of functions, thousands of requirements, and an infrastructure distributed across the whole world. It has new system releases and updates coming on a yearly basis.
Why AI and Machine Learning Are a Priority
Implementation of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning tools at System Level is a priority for the Galileo Programme. The vacancy names three aims:
🧠 Knowledge transfer
🔮 Modelling of current and future evolutions of the Galileo System
⚡ Fast data access for decision-making processes, covering design, qualification and anomaly resolution
The MBSE System Model
To manage this complexity, the Galileo System Engineering team has put in place a Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approach that links functions to one another in a graphical manner. The MBSE system model is available to the full Project team: from engineers and testers to security accreditors and managers.
This system model opens up new opportunities to link all the design elements and artefacts with their verification and validation across the whole lifecycle. Linking all design aspects will improve the system design and behavioural understanding by the Project team, and will maximise the success of its deployment.
What Needs to Be Linked to the Model
Elements to be linked with the system model range from requirements, analyses and simulations, to performance prediction and early validation and finally, to real measurements.
It is a massive amount of data to connect, and the team believes that artificial intelligence and machine learning can help in this endeavour. This is part of a growing trend in Systems Engineering known as AI-for-Systems Engineering, or AI4SE.
Your Tasks as an Intern
As an intern, you will have the following tasks:
🔍 Exploring the AI4SE (AI-for-Systems Engineering) approach in the context of the Galileo MBSE system model
🧩 Defining and implementing practical use cases in which artificial intelligence and machine learning enable the MBSE system model to be queried, expanded and connected to other databases (requirements, simulations, test results, configuration, field measurements) in a better, and more efficient way
🛠️ Developing Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning tools, methodologies, scripts and digital threads to support these capabilities
Who You Will Work With and Why It Matters
In these tasks, you will engage with state-of-the-art Galileo professionals from ESA and industry. This would allow the Project team to digitally navigate through the system design seamlessly and minimise the risks associated with developing and deploying new Galileo system releases.
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, Background and Interview
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.
Knowledge and background in Satellite Radionavigation, data science and artificial intelligence are assets.
During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.
Behavioural Competencies
The vacancy lists six ESA core behavioural competencies:
🎯 Result Orientation
⚙️ Operational Efficiency
👥 Fostering Cooperation
💬 Relationship Management
📈 Continuous Improvement
🔭 Forward Thinking
For more information, the vacancy refers applicants to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook.
Nationality Requirement
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 and Start of the Internship
According to ESA's announcement for the 2027 student internships, internships last 3 to 6 months and begin 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 and Export Control
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. 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. Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website.
Find more opportunities like this in our internship and traineeship listings on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the ESA AI for Galileo System Engineering and MBSE internship take place?
The internship is based at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands, within the Galileo and EGNOS Programme Department and the Directorate of Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity.
What is the internship about?
It explores AI-for-Systems Engineering (AI4SE) in the context of the Galileo MBSE system model: using artificial intelligence and machine learning to query, expand and connect the model to other databases such as requirements, simulations, test results, configuration and field measurements.
What will I do as an intern?
You would explore the AI4SE approach, define and implement practical use cases for AI and machine learning on the MBSE system model, and develop AI and machine learning tools, methodologies, scripts and digital threads to support these capabilities.
Which team would I join?
You would join the Galileo System Engineering Unit, part of the Galileo System Engineering Service in the Galileo Project Office of the Galileo and EGNOS Programme Department. It oversees the definition and specification of the Galileo System releases, known as System Builds.
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 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.
Which skills count as an asset?
Knowledge and background in Satellite Radionavigation, data science and artificial intelligence are assets.
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 20998): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Noordwijk-Intern-in-the-Galileo-and-Egnos-Programme-Department-AI-for-Galileo-System-Engineering-and-MBSE/1452922733/
📰 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
