The European Space Agency (ESA) is recruiting an intern for the Thermal Control 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: the internship covers space thermal control engineering, from thermal analysis with ESATAN-TMS to cryogenics, heat transport and thermal protection.
ESA Thermal Control Internship at a Glance
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21047
🎓 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 - Thermal Control Section
⏳ Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
The Thermal Control Section (TEC-MTT)
The section is responsible for all ESA activities related to thermal engineering, related R&D activities and hardware for the thermal control of space systems. It is the centre of competence within the Agency for the design and verification of passive and active thermal control systems, cryogenics and refrigeration, heat transport, heat storage and rejection, thermal insulations and thermal protection.
The vacancy invites interested candidates to visit the ESA website, listed in the Links section below.
Space Thermal Control Engineering: Five Activity Fields
The internship is in Space Thermal Control Engineering and covers one or several of the activities below.
🔥 Thermal Design and Analysis: perform thermal design and associated analysis, including steady state and transient analyses of instruments and satellites, following familiarisation with project requirements and the Agency's tools (ESATAN-TMS). This may also include in-flight correlation of thermal analysis models for ESA projects.
❄️ Cryogenics: investigate cryogenic technologies (active and passive coolers) for applications in future ESA spacecraft and launchers.
💧 Heat Transfer and Heat Rejection: investigate heat transport technologies such as capillary and mechanically pumped two-phase loops, single-phase loops and heat pipes for thermal control.
🛡️ Thermal Protection: investigate thermal protection technologies (both re-usable and ablative) for on-going and future missions (for example planetary exploration and sample return missions) and re-usable launchers.
💡 Generic thermal control technologies: investigate innovative and advanced technologies for the Thermal Control Subsystem, for example tunable infrared emittance coatings with electrochromic-based solutions, phase-change materials and heat pumps. This also includes specific thermal technologies for small satellites and CubeSats.
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Who Can Apply: University Student Status
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.
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.
Working Languages 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.
During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.
Six Behavioural Competencies ESA Assesses
The vacancy lists the following behavioural competencies and refers to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook for more information:
🎯 Result Orientation
⚙️ Operational Efficiency
🤝 Fostering Cooperation
💬 Relationship Management
📈 Continuous Improvement
🔮 Forward Thinking
Duration and Start of the 2027 ESA Internships
According to ESA's announcement for the 2027 student internships, internships last three to six months and selected candidates 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.
Equal Opportunities at ESA
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.
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 is the ESA Thermal Control Section internship based?
The internship is based at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands. It sits in the Mechanical Department within the Technology, Engineering and Quality Directorate.
What will I work on as a thermal control intern?
The internship covers Space Thermal Control Engineering, including one or several of five fields: thermal design and analysis, cryogenics, heat transfer and heat rejection, thermal protection, and generic thermal control technologies. Thermal analysis work uses the Agency's ESATAN-TMS tool.
Which technologies could the internship cover?
Examples named in the vacancy include active and passive coolers, capillary and mechanically pumped two-phase loops, heat pipes, re-usable and ablative thermal protection, tunable infrared emittance coatings, phase-change materials, heat pumps and thermal technologies for small satellites and CubeSats.
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. Applications are only considered from nationals 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.
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 an allowance?
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 21047): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Noordwijk-Intern-in-the-Mechanical-Department-Thermal-Control-Section/1452884733/
📰 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
