The European Space Agency (ESA) is recruiting an intern for the EnVision Project in its Projects 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 improve the thermo-elastic modelling of spacecraft and payload coupling for EnVision, ESA's Venus orbiter mission.
ESA EnVision Thermo-Elastic Modelling Internship: Key Facts
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 20952
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🏛️ Directorate: Science
🏙️ Workplace: Noordwijk, NL
📍 Location: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
🌐 Publication method: external only
🏷️ Vacancy title as published: Intern in the Projects Department - EnVision Project: Thermo-Elastic Modelling
⏳ Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
About the EnVision Mission
EnVision is a Venus orbiter mission selected by ESA's Science Programme Committee as the fifth Medium-class mission in the Agency's Cosmic Vision plan. It will be the first mission to investigate Venus from its inner core to its upper atmosphere, characterising the interaction between its atmosphere, surface/subsurface and interior.
The mission aims at providing a holistic view of Venus, studying the planet's history, activity, and climate.
The Project Team Behind the Internship
The project team in which this internship is proposed is in charge of the implementation of the mission: the procurement of the spacecraft and the launch vehicle and the liaising with the developers of the instruments that will be embarked on EnVision. As with most Science missions, the instruments are provided by Member States, with ESA providing several specific payload elements.
Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website, which is listed at the end of this post.
Why Thermo-Elastic Analysis Matters Right Now
At the time of writing (September 2026), the EnVision spacecraft is undergoing the Preliminary Design Review. This proposed activity is of significant interest to the EnVision project, as thermo-elastic distortion analyses play a key role in the verification of several mission performance requirements, particularly those related to the pointing stability of scientific instruments or the link budget of communication antennae.
Topic of the Internship
🧭 Improving Thermo-Elastic Modelling of Spacecraft and Payload Coupling
You will be part of the EnVision project team at ESA's European Space Research and Technology Centre and will work closely with spacecraft engineering specialists and experts from the ESA Technical Directorate.
Your Core Task: Platform and Payload Interactions
Your task will be to investigate how interactions between a spacecraft platform and its payload equipment influence thermo-elastic distortions, and how these effects can be represented more accurately and efficiently in engineering analyses.
Enhancing the Existing Structural Model
Starting from the existing EnVision thermo-elastic analysis model, you will enhance the spacecraft structural model by integrating representations of payload instruments, electronics units, and other heat-dissipating equipment.
You will then perform thermo-elastic analyses to evaluate how the thermal and structural behaviour of these units affects the deformation of the spacecraft structure.
Assessing Coupling Effects Between Payload and Platform
A particular focus of the work will be to assess coupling effects between payload equipment and the spacecraft platform. You will investigate how temperature gradients and structural stiffness within payload units and electronics boxes influence the deformation of the spacecraft panels on which they are mounted, and how these distortions may propagate to neighbouring areas supporting other sensitive instruments.
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Developing Simplified Modelling Approaches
Based on your findings, you will develop simplified modelling approaches that can reproduce the key coupling effects without requiring the use of highly detailed models. These simplified representations could significantly improve analysis efficiency while maintaining the accuracy needed for engineering assessments.
Separate Versus Integrated Analyses
Finally, you will evaluate the extent to which separate analyses of the spacecraft platform and payload units can reproduce the results of a fully integrated thermo-elastic analysis. Where appropriate, you will propose methods to better capture platform-to-payload interactions when payload units are analysed independently.
What Your Results Could Contribute
The results of this work could contribute to improving future thermo-elastic modelling practices and increasing the representativeness of performance predictions for space missions. Using the EnVision mission as a case study, you will explore modelling aspects that are often neglected in conventional analyses and help identify practical methods to account for spacecraft-payload coupling effects.
Experience You Will Gain
During this internship, you will gain experience in:
🔥 Thermo-elastic analysis of spacecraft structures.
🧮 Structural and thermal modelling using finite element methods.
📐 Interpretation of spacecraft performance impacts arising from thermo-mechanical distortions.
🧪 Development and validation of simplified engineering models.
👥 Collaboration with multidisciplinary spacecraft engineering teams.
🚀 Application of advanced analysis techniques to a real ESA space mission.
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.
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.
Skills Considered an Asset
Knowledge and background in the following are an asset:
🧱 Finite Element Analysis.
💻 Use of NASTRAN or other similar Finite Element Analysis software.
🌡️ Thermo-elastic distortion analysis.
⚙️ Mechanical Engineering.
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 EnVision internship take place?
The internship is based at ESTEC, ESA's European Space Research and Technology Centre, in Noordwijk, Netherlands. You would be part of the EnVision project team in the Projects Department, in the Science Directorate.
What is the EnVision mission?
EnVision is a Venus orbiter mission selected by ESA's Science Programme Committee as the fifth Medium-class mission in the Agency's Cosmic Vision plan. It will be the first mission to investigate Venus from its inner core to its upper atmosphere.
What is the topic of the internship?
The topic is Improving Thermo-Elastic Modelling of Spacecraft and Payload Coupling. You would investigate how interactions between a spacecraft platform and its payload equipment influence thermo-elastic distortions, and how these effects can be represented more accurately and efficiently in engineering analyses.
What would I actually do?
Starting from the existing EnVision thermo-elastic analysis model, you would integrate representations of payload instruments, electronics units and other heat-dissipating equipment into the spacecraft structural model. You would then perform thermo-elastic analyses, assess coupling effects, and develop simplified modelling approaches that reproduce the key coupling effects without highly detailed models.
Why does this work matter for EnVision?
Thermo-elastic distortion analyses play a key role in verifying several mission performance requirements, particularly those related to the pointing stability of scientific instruments and the link budget of communication antennae. The spacecraft was undergoing its Preliminary Design Review at the time the vacancy was written (September 2026).
Who will I work with?
You would work closely with spacecraft engineering specialists and experts from the ESA Technical Directorate, as part of the EnVision project team. The experience includes collaboration with multidisciplinary spacecraft engineering teams.
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 consider an asset?
Knowledge and background in Finite Element Analysis, use of NASTRAN or other similar Finite Element Analysis software, thermo-elastic distortion analysis and Mechanical Engineering are 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 20952): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Noordwijk-Intern-in-the-Projects-Department-EnVision-Project-Thermo-Elastic-Modelling/1452872933/
📰 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
