The European Space Agency (ESA) is recruiting an intern for the RAMS Section of its Quality 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 help lay the groundwork for an ESA methodology for Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) of space missions.
ESA Quality Department Internship: Key Facts
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21038
🎓 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
The Quality Department: Where You Would Work
The Quality Department (TEC-Q) works under the direct authority of the Director of Technology, Engineering and Quality. According to the vacancy, the Head of the Quality Department is responsible for establishing and implementing ESA policy, requirements and standards with respect to quality.
What the Department Provides
TEC-Q is responsible for providing the required expertise and support services to ESA projects, support Directorates and research activities in the Product Assurance and Safety disciplines. These disciplines apply to all elements of space systems, ground and on-board, including hardware, software and humans.
The Disciplines Behind Product Assurance and Safety
The vacancy lists the disciplines that Product Assurance and Safety cover:
📋 Product Assurance management
⚠️ Technical risk management
🔧 Reliability
📶 Availability
🛠️ Maintainability
🦺 Safety
✅ Quality assurance
These are delivered with support from the other TEC engineering Departments, expertise and laboratories.
What Is Probabilistic Risk Assessment?
The Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) is a systematic and exhaustive methodology for qualitative and quantitative assessment of risks in complex space systems. It estimates the probability of major undesired outcomes such as Loss of Mission (LOM) and Loss of Crew (LOC).
PRA provides quantitative, traceable risk metrics to support design and Programme-level decisions.
Why ESA Needs Its Own PRA Methodology
The vacancy explains that ESA needs to develop its own PRA methodology. At present, no dedicated ESA/ECSS standard or handbook defines PRA principles, processes or implementation guidance.
Current PRA activities rely primarily on external standards and project-specific approaches. This creates a risk of inconsistencies in modelling assumptions, analysis scope, and interfaces with Reliability, Availability, Maintainability and Safety (RAMS) activities.
────────────────────────────────────────
🌍 All opportunities in the Netherlands →
────────────────────────────────────────
Harmonised Guidance for Future ESA-Led Missions
As ESA increases its independent application of PRA for future ESA-led missions, the need for harmonised guidance becomes increasingly important. Establishing an ESA PRA methodology would promote consistency across projects.
A Foundation for an Integrated RAMS Framework
An ESA PRA methodology would also provide a solid foundation for an integrated RAMS framework. According to the vacancy, this framework encompasses four types of analysis:
🧩 FMEA
📈 Reliability and Availability Analyses
🚨 Hazard Analyses
🌳 Fault Tree Analyses
The Three Objectives of Your Internship
The vacancy states the main objectives of this initiative:
📚 Collect and review documentation, standards, guidance material and software tools related to PRA methodologies used by other space agencies and organisations, including NASA.
🔍 Analyse the collected material and produce a comprehensive assessment of existing methodologies, tools, requirements, best practices and lessons learnt, identifying gaps, challenges and key elements that should be addressed in the early stages of developing an ESA PRA methodology.
🧭 Provide recommendations for the definition of a harmonised ESA PRA framework and its integration within the broader Dependability and Safety engineering processes.
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.
Knowledge of Risk Assessment
You must have knowledge of risk assessment. Familiarity with Fault Tree Analysis and Reliability Analysis, as well as knowledge of Space Systems, would be an asset.
Languages
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.
Personal Skills
You must have good interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work in a multi-cultural environment, both independently and as part of a team. You must also be thorough and meticulous.
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.
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.
Selection Tests and Interview
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.
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.
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.
Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website.
Find more opportunities like this in our internship and traineeship listings on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the ESA RAMS Section internship take place?
The internship is based at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands, within ESA's Quality Department in the Technology, Engineering and Quality directorate.
What is the focus of this internship?
The internship focuses on Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) for complex space systems. You would contribute to the groundwork for an ESA PRA methodology and for an integrated RAMS framework.
What does Probabilistic Risk Assessment estimate?
PRA is a systematic methodology for qualitative and quantitative assessment of risks in complex space systems. It estimates the probability of major undesired outcomes such as Loss of Mission and Loss of Crew, and provides quantitative, traceable risk metrics to support design and Programme-level decisions.
Why does ESA need its own PRA methodology?
No dedicated ESA/ECSS standard or handbook currently defines PRA principles, processes or implementation guidance. Current PRA activities rely on external standards and project-specific approaches, which can cause inconsistencies in modelling assumptions, analysis scope and interfaces with RAMS activities.
What will I work on during this internship?
You would collect and review documentation, standards, guidance material and software tools on PRA methodologies used by other space agencies and organisations, including NASA. You would then analyse this material, identify gaps and challenges, and provide recommendations for a harmonised ESA PRA framework and its integration within the broader Dependability and Safety engineering processes.
Which analyses belong to the integrated RAMS framework?
According to the vacancy, the integrated RAMS framework encompasses FMEA, Reliability and Availability Analyses, Hazard Analyses and Fault Tree Analyses.
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.
What knowledge do I need?
You must have knowledge of risk assessment. Familiarity with Fault Tree Analysis and Reliability Analysis, as well as knowledge of Space Systems, would be 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 21038): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Noordwijk-Intern-in-the-Quality-Department-RAMS-Section/1452883033/
📰 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
