The European Space Agency (ESA) is offering an internship in its Quality Department, working on Human Spaceflight Safety in the TEC-QI Independent Safety Office at ESTEC in Noordwijk, the Netherlands. Applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full vacancy and set out every task, requirement and eligibility rule below.
Key Details of the Vacancy
The vacancy lists these formal details:
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21036
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🏛️ Directorate: Technology, Engineering and Quality
📍 Workplace: Noordwijk, NL
🗺️ Location: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
📣 Publication method: External Only
📅 Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
Where You Will Work: ESTEC in Noordwijk
The internship is located at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands. The role belongs to ESA's Technology, Engineering and Quality Directorate and sits in the Quality Department, in the area of Human Spaceflight Safety.
The TEC-QI Independent Safety Office
The TEC-QI Independent Safety Office is responsible for overseeing the development, implementation and maintenance of ESA policies, requirements and standards. It also provides functional support to ESA projects in these areas:
🚀 Human Spaceflight Safety
☄️ Space Debris Mitigation
🔥 Re-entry Safety
⚛️ Nuclear Safety for applications in space
The Mission of TEC-QI
The mission of TEC-QI is to ensure the highest safety standards for ESA missions by enforcing clear safety processes, reducing risks, and protecting space assets, the environment and the general public. TEC-QI aims to make sure all ESA activities are carried out with a strong commitment to safety. The vacancy encourages interested candidates to visit the ESA website to learn more about the Agency.
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What You Will Do Under the Supervision of Your Tutor
Under the supervision of the assigned tutor in the Independent Safety Office, you will:
🛰️ Familiarise yourself with the recently updated safety requirements and the safety certification process applicable to the International Space Station (ISS), the Lunar Gateway habitation modules and, more generally, human spaceflight exploration, including crewed vehicles
📝 Participate in ESA safety review activities for the certification of system and payload hardware developed by European industry
📚 Review already certified system and payload hardware for lessons learnt compilation
🧩 Participate in the definition of new safety requirements, their implementation and verification approach
📦 Compile safety guidelines for transportation and operations of simple payloads/experiments on-board the ISS
🖥️ Support the preparation of drafts, presentations and tools aimed at improving the efficiency of the ESA Safety Review Panel
How Long the Internship Lasts and When It Starts
According to ESA's announcement of its 2027 student internships, an internship lasts between 3 and 6 months and starts from February 2027. The exact start date is agreed with the ESA tutor.
Education Requirements
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 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.
ESA Behavioural Competencies for This Role
The vacancy lists the following ESA core behavioural competencies:
🎯 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.
Interview and Selection Tests
During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored. During the recruitment process, the Agency may also request applicants to undergo selection tests.
Export Control and Sanctions Eligibility
Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
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.
Application Limit
According to ESA's announcement of its 2027 student internships, one candidate can apply for a maximum of 2 vacancies.
Equal Opportunities and Support for Applicants with Disabilities
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, and you can contact ESA by email using the address in the Links section below.
Allowance and Disclaimer
The vacancy does not state a stipend or allowance. 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. You can find more opportunities like this in the internships and traineeships section of Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the ESA Human Spaceflight Safety internship based?
The internship is based at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands, in ESA's Technology, Engineering and Quality Directorate. The vacancy lists Noordwijk, NL as the workplace.
What is the deadline to apply?
The closing date is 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST. Applications are submitted through the ESA careers website.
What does the Independent Safety Office do?
The TEC-QI Independent Safety Office oversees the development, implementation and maintenance of ESA policies, requirements and standards. It also supports ESA projects in Human Spaceflight Safety, Space Debris Mitigation, Re-entry Safety and Nuclear Safety for applications in space.
What will I work on as an intern?
You become familiar with the safety requirements and certification process for the ISS, the Lunar Gateway habitation modules and crewed vehicles. You take part in safety reviews of hardware from European industry, compile lessons learnt, help define new safety requirements and support the ESA Safety Review Panel.
Will I work on the International Space Station?
The vacancy describes work on the safety certification process applicable to the ISS. It also includes compiling safety guidelines for transportation and operations of simple payloads and experiments on-board the ISS.
What education level is required?
You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of university course at Master's level. You must also be able to prove that you will be enrolled at your university for the entire duration of the internship.
Which nationalities are eligible?
Applications are only considered from nationals of ESA's listed 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.
How long does the internship last and when does it start?
According to ESA's 2027 student internships announcement, an internship lasts between 3 and 6 months and starts from February 2027. The exact start date is agreed with the ESA tutor.
Which languages do I need?
The working languages of the Agency 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 many ESA internship vacancies can I apply for?
One candidate can apply for a maximum of 2 vacancies, according to ESA's announcement of its 2027 student internships.
What happens during the selection process?
Your motivation for applying to the role will be explored during the interview. ESA may also ask applicants to undergo selection tests, and applicants must be eligible to access information, technology and hardware subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
Does the vacancy state a stipend?
No. The vacancy does not state a stipend or allowance.
Deadline
⏳ 30 November 2026
Links
🔗 Full vacancy and application (Apply now): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Noordwijk-Intern-in-the-Quality-Department-Human-Spaceflight-Safety/1452882733/
📘 ESA Student Internships 2027 announcement: https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/ESA_Student_Internships_2027_are_now_open
🌐 ESA website: https://www.esa.int
📧 ESA student internships contact (diversity and accessibility questions): ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int
