The European Space Agency (ESA) is recruiting an intern for the Materials, Manufacturing and Assembly Section (TEC-MSP) of its Mechanical 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 use ESA's materials laboratory to characterise advanced materials and manufacturing processes for future spacecraft and launchers, from additive manufacturing to composites and solder joints.
ESA Materials, Manufacturing and Assembly Internship: Key Facts
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21051
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🏛️ Directorate: Technology, Engineering and Quality
🏙️ Workplace: Noordwijk, NL
📍 Location: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
🌐 Publication method: external only
🏷️ Vacancy title as published: Intern in the Mechanical Department - Materials, Manufacturing and Assembly Section
⏳ Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
Inside the Materials, Manufacturing and Assembly Section
The Materials, Manufacturing and Assembly Section (TEC-MSP) ensures that materials and processes used for the assembly of spacecraft and launchers are fit for purpose over the mission life-time.
What the Section Is Responsible For
The vacancy lists these areas of responsibility:
🚀 The qualification for space flight of all advanced metallic and non-metallic materials, structural ceramics and glasses, as well as all related manufacturing and surface treatment processes for all ESA spacecraft and launchers programmes.
💡 The development of revolutionary materials and innovative manufacturing technologies, both internally and in cooperation with other space agencies and organisations.
🔍 The failure investigation of materials and processes under performing and impacting ESA space missions.
🏭 The development, certification and support of new European industrial capabilities, manufacturing processes and manpower skills training related to space applications of materials and components.
📐 The establishment and implementation of requirements and standards for the development and the procurement of space grade materials and manufacturing processes.
Candidates are encouraged to visit the ESA website, which is listed in the Links section of this post.
The ESA Advanced Manufacturing Cross-Cutting Initiative
The European Space Agency is implementing the ESA Advanced Manufacturing Cross-Cutting Initiative, which captures the opportunity of adopting revolutionary manufacturing capabilities, advanced materials and associated processes and creates sustainable competitive advantage for the European Space Industry in the global market.
Why Traditional Manufacturing Is Not Enough
According to the vacancy, current space missions are often limited in their performances and scientific achievements by traditional manufacturing processes and concepts. Advanced Manufacturing technologies are readily available in the current European industrial landscape, and these can be adopted for next generation space hardware manufacturing. This will enable new and highly innovative spacecraft and launcher designs, with significantly reduced manufacturing constraints (including costs and lead-time) and tremendous performance improvement.
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Materials and Processes Targeted by the Initiative
Through this initiative, the Agency has identified a number of highly innovative materials and associated manufacturing processes which can be spun in and which will be matured to a space qualification level. The following are currently targeted:
🧱 Additive Manufacturing: process/structure/property performance evaluation and model verification through mechanical and µ-mechanical characterisation.
🔗 Friction Stir Welding and solid state joining technologies for hybrid (metallic/non-metallic) joining.
🧵 Advanced composite materials (polymer, metal and ceramic matrix composites) and their performance characterisation and prediction in extreme environments.
🛡️ Advanced surface engineering for thermal and corrosion management.
🔌 Solder joint reliability (mechanical and thermal fatigue) for high/low temperature electronics.
📈 Performance evaluation and whisker growth behaviour of Pb-free solder alternatives.
💻 Integrated Computational Materials Engineering: model development and validation.
What You Will Do in the Internship
You will use the world leading facilities of the ESA/ESTEC Materials and Electrical Components Laboratory to characterise the advanced materials and manufacturing processes listed above and to perform detailed materials investigations. These aim at process/structure/property evaluation and modelling related to advanced manufacturing processes.
Laboratory Methods You Will Use
The work includes a variety of different laboratory methods:
⚙️ Mechanical and µ-mechanical testing
🔭 Optical microscopy
🧫 SEM-EDX/EBSD
🩻 X-ray tomography
💎 XRD
Your Place in the Team
Your work will be integrated into a team which will give guidance for project applications for future missions.
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.
Background in Materials Science and Engineering
Knowledge and background in materials science and engineering covering metallic, ceramic or polymeric materials is expected. An understanding of computational materials engineering, fracture mechanics and diagnostic techniques such as optical microscopy, electron microscopy and mechanical testing is an asset.
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.
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.
Export Control and Selection Tests
Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests.
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.
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 Materials, Manufacturing and Assembly Section internship take place?
The internship is based at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands, within the Mechanical Department and the Technology, Engineering and Quality Directorate.
What does the Materials, Manufacturing and Assembly Section do?
The Materials, Manufacturing and Assembly Section (TEC-MSP) ensures that materials and processes used for the assembly of spacecraft and launchers are fit for purpose over the mission life-time. This includes qualifying materials and processes for space flight, developing innovative materials and manufacturing technologies, investigating failures, supporting European industrial capabilities and setting requirements and standards.
Which materials and processes does the internship cover?
The vacancy targets additive manufacturing, friction stir welding and solid state joining for hybrid joints, advanced composite materials, advanced surface engineering for thermal and corrosion management, solder joint reliability, whisker growth behaviour of Pb-free solder alternatives, and Integrated Computational Materials Engineering.
What will I work on during the internship?
You would use the ESA/ESTEC Materials and Electrical Components Laboratory to characterise these advanced materials and manufacturing processes and to perform detailed materials investigations aimed at process/structure/property evaluation and modelling related to advanced manufacturing processes.
Which laboratory methods will I use?
The vacancy names mechanical and µ-mechanical testing, optical microscopy, SEM-EDX/EBSD, X-ray tomography and XRD.
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 background does ESA expect?
Knowledge and background in materials science and engineering covering metallic, ceramic or polymeric materials. An understanding of computational materials engineering, fracture mechanics and diagnostic techniques such as optical microscopy, electron microscopy and mechanical testing is an asset.
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 21051): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Noordwijk-Intern-in-the-Mechanical-Department-Materials%2C-Manufacturing-and-Assembly-Section/1452886333/
📰 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
