The European Space Agency (ESA) is recruiting an intern for the Optics Section 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 can choose among three topics, from machine learning in optical design to a simulator for the Vigil HI instrument.
ESA Optics Section Internship: Key Facts
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21046
🎓 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 - Optics Section
⏳ Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
Inside the Optics, Robotics and Life Sciences Division
The Optics, Robotics and Life Sciences Division is responsible for the technical and strategic management of five space segment domains at subsystem and instrument level. The vacancy describes them one by one.
Optical Systems
This domain covers design, engineering and verification in all optical related areas:
🔍 Optical component technology, micro-optics, fibre and passive integrated optics.
🌈 Spectro-radiometric imaging instruments in the x-ray, ultra-violet, visible and infrared region.
📐 Optical metrology and space micro-nano technology systems, stray-light analysis and verification.
🎚️ Calibration and verification of optical payloads, covering the definition, procurement and commissioning of Optical Ground Support Equipment (OGSE).
🛰️ In orbit commissioning of optical payloads.
🧫 Measurement of optical properties of key optical components by devising ad-hoc measurements in the Optical and Optoelectronics Laboratory (OOEL).
Optoelectronics
The optoelectronics domain includes:
🔦 Laser systems and sensors, LIDAR and laser ranging systems, including optical metrology and time and frequency distribution.
📷 Photo-detectors and focal plane technologies for the x-ray, ultra-violet, visible and infrared range.
💡 Photonics technologies and applications, including integrated and fibre optics, RF photonics, micro-nano-photonics, opto-pyrotechnics, fibre sensors, non-linear optics, superconductor technology and optical atomic clocks.
📡 Optical communication technologies and systems, optical communication links and optical payloads.
🚀 Optoelectronics and photonics for spacecraft applications.
⚛️ Quantum technologies including quantum devices, metrology, sensing, quantum key distribution and cold atom interferometry.
Optical Chain Architecture
This domain covers the design, analysis and technical assessment of optical instruments, subsystems, detection chain systems and focal plane instrumentation, optical communication systems for classical and quantum communications, time and frequency transfer, intersatellite ranging and similar end-to-end systems.
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Automation and Robotics
The division also handles space automation and robotic systems, including planetary (surface, sub-surface and aerial) robotics probes, space robot payloads and their control systems, space laboratory automation, human-robot interaction, tele-robotics in manned and unmanned missions, as well as automation and robotics technology for ground MAIT.
Life and Physical Sciences Instrumentation
The fifth domain covers technologies needed for planetary exploration missions and for life and physical sciences experiments in space, as well as technologies needed for life support, crew health and habitability of manned missions, and In-Situ Resources Utilisation.
Choose Your Internship Topic
The vacancy states that you can choose among three topics.
Topic 1: Machine Learning in Optical Design
The topic is the use of machine learning in optical design. You would define a database of potential architectural solutions based on high level requirements (spectral range, F#, field of view, etc.) and develop or use AI tools to define potential starting points. You would then explore the possibility of reinforcement learning techniques to optimise the solution.
Topic 2: Expanding Open Source Optical Design Software
The topic is to increase the capabilities of open source optical design software (e.g. Optiland). You would explore the possibility of expanding the software in one of these directions:
🧭 Starting the implementation of a non sequential raytracing.
⚙️ Implementing the possibility to introduce mechanical elements.
🌫️ Improving straylight analysis capabilities (e.g. ghost analysis, semi-analytical calculations similar to an existing ESA tool called "Straylux").
Topic 3: A Simulator for the Vigil HI Instrument
The topic is to define a simulator for the Vigil HI instrument. The simulator should contain the specific scene definition (F+K corona, planets, stars, coronal mass ejections) and introduce instrumental effects (noise, straylight, etc.). Based on the simulator, detection methods for the coronal mass ejections should be investigated.
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 Optics
Knowledge and background in optics and optical instrumentation 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 Optics Section internship take place?
The internship is based at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands, within the Mechanical Department and the Technology, Engineering and Quality Directorate.
Which topics can I choose for the internship?
The vacancy offers three topics: the use of machine learning in optical design, increasing the capabilities of open source optical design software such as Optiland, and defining a simulator for the Vigil HI instrument.
What would I do in the machine learning topic?
You would define a database of potential architectural solutions based on high level requirements such as spectral range, F#, and field of view, develop or use AI tools to define potential starting points, and then explore reinforcement learning techniques to optimise the solution.
What would I do in the Optiland topic?
You would explore expanding the open source software by starting a non sequential raytracing implementation, by implementing the possibility to introduce mechanical elements, or by improving straylight analysis capabilities such as ghost analysis and semi-analytical calculations similar to the ESA tool Straylux.
What would I do in the Vigil HI topic?
You would define a simulator containing the specific scene definition (F+K corona, planets, stars, coronal mass ejections) and instrumental effects such as noise and straylight. Based on the simulator, detection methods for the coronal mass ejections should be investigated.
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.
Do I need a background in optics?
Knowledge and background in optics and optical instrumentation 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 21046): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Noordwijk-Intern-in-the-Mechanical-Department-Optics-Section/1452884533/
📰 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
