The European Space Agency (ESA) is recruiting an intern for the Audit Baseline Services Unit of its Industrial Audit Services Office 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: the internship is about finding where artificial intelligence can improve the cost audits ESA carries out on the industries it works with, and proposing and possibly executing a plan to put it into practice.
ESA Audit Baseline Services Internship: Key Facts
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21096
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
💼 Directorate: Controlling, Finance and Operational Procurement
🏙️ Workplace: Noordwijk, NL
📍 Location: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
🌐 Publication method: external only
🏷️ Vacancy title as published: Intern in the Industrial Audit Services Office - Audit Baseline Services Unit
⏳ Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
Your Team: The Industrial Audit Team
The Industrial Audit team performs cost audits of the industries working with ESA and is responsible for a wide range of audit activities. These include:
🧮 The agreement of cost rates that industry will use in the preparation of price estimates and proposals for ESA programmes
🧾 Auditing the cost incurred in ESA contracts
🏢 Assessing the financial viability and nationality of companies
🤝 Assisting in price negotiations and review of financial proposals for ESA contracts
The team's vision is to provide high-quality audit services that achieve cost effectiveness and value creation.
Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website.
The Internship Topic: AI in Industrial Cost Auditing
The internship focuses on introducing artificial intelligence into the audit process. You would look at where AI can enhance the work of the Industrial Audit team, find the right tools and technology for it, and plan how to implement it in a team and a process that are highly regulated.
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What You Will Do During the Internship
During the period of internship you will be faced mainly with the following tasks:
🔎 Identify areas where AI can enhance the audit process
🗣️ Gather requirements from various stakeholders to ensure AI solutions meet their needs
🔬 Research and evaluate AI tools suited for audit processes
✅ Select and propose the appropriate AI technology
🗂️ Propose and possibly execute a plan for AI implementation for auditing activities, considering the following:
🧱 Ensure data quality, consistency and accessibility for AI applications, including review and sustainable maintenance
📜 Ensure AI applications comply with relevant ESA regulations and standards
🧪 Implement and conduct a pilot project to test AI applications in real audit scenarios
📈 Monitor and validate AI model performance and make necessary adjustments
📚 Propose policies and procedures, as well as training material for the team members
📝 Generate reports and present findings to management and stakeholders
Learning Objectives
The vacancy lists five learning objectives for the internship:
🤖 Introduction and implementation of AI in highly regulated teams and processes
🛰️ AI implementation at the European Space Agency
💶 Industrial cost auditing processes
🏛️ The European Space Agency environment
🌐 International teams and teamwork
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 Additional 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.
Knowledge and background in business economics or audit is an asset.
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 Audit Baseline Services internship take place?
The internship is based at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands, within the Industrial Audit Services Office. The directorate is Controlling, Finance and Operational Procurement.
What is the internship about?
It is about introducing AI into ESA's industrial cost audit process. You would identify where AI can enhance the audit process, evaluate suitable AI tools, and propose and possibly execute a plan for AI implementation.
What does the Industrial Audit team do?
The team performs cost audits of the industries working with ESA. Its work includes agreeing cost rates for price estimates and proposals, auditing the cost incurred in ESA contracts, assessing the financial viability and nationality of companies, and assisting in price negotiations and the review of financial proposals.
What will I work on during the internship?
Your main tasks include gathering requirements from stakeholders, researching and evaluating AI tools, selecting and proposing the appropriate AI technology, and running a pilot project in real audit scenarios. You would also monitor and validate AI model performance, propose policies, procedures and training material, and present findings to management and stakeholders.
What will I learn?
The vacancy lists five learning objectives: AI in highly regulated teams and processes, AI implementation at ESA, industrial cost auditing processes, the ESA environment, and international teams and teamwork.
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.
Do I need a background in audit or economics?
Knowledge and background in business economics or audit is an asset, according to the vacancy. During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.
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 21096): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Noordwijk-Intern-in-the-Industrial-Audit-Services-Office-Audit-Baseline-Services-Unit/1452887933/
📰 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
