The European Space Agency (ESA) is recruiting an intern for the Quality Department at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands, working in the Resilience, Navigation and Communication Product Assurance Section. Applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full vacancy: you would study how product assurance, quality, verification and validation apply to AI systems for space.
ESA Quality Department Product Assurance Internship: Key Facts
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21040
🎓 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 Quality Department - Resilience, Navigation & Communication Product Assurance Section
⏳ Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
Our Team and Mission
The Resilience, Navigation and Communication Product Assurance Section provides Product Assurance and Safety support to all missions of the Resilience, Navigation and Communication Directorate where AI technologies are starting to be used and developed.
Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website, which is listed at the end of this post.
Field of Activity: State of the Art in Product Assurance for AI
Your work will consist of the analysis of the state of the art of product assurance and/or quality, as well as verification and validation techniques and activities applied to the development of AI systems for space and other critical system areas.
Critical System Areas You Will Look At
Besides space, the analysis covers other critical system areas where AI systems are developed:
✈️ Aircraft
🚗 Automotive
🚆 Train
☢️ Nuclear industry
The Aim of Your Project
The aim of your project is to derive and propose Product Assurance or quality assurance techniques and verification and validation techniques to be used in the space domain.
Identification of possible techniques to improve the security assurance of such systems is considered a plus.
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Assessing an AI Tool for Requirements and Verification
Additionally, you will work with the PA team to assess the feasibility of using an AI tool (Xcert) for developing the requirement baseline and recording the verification artefacts.
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 and Background You Should Have
You should also have:
💻 Software engineering background.
🧪 Knowledge of SW testing processes and tools.
✅ Basic knowledge of software quality assurance practices and techniques.
🤖 Knowledge of AI Technologies and qualification of AI.
Skills Considered an Asset
🔐 Basic knowledge of Security is an asset.
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 Quality Department internship take place?
The internship is based at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands. You would work in the Resilience, Navigation and Communication Product Assurance Section of the Quality Department, in the Technology, Engineering and Quality Directorate.
What does the Product Assurance Section do?
The Resilience, Navigation and Communication Product Assurance Section provides Product Assurance and Safety support to all missions of the Resilience, Navigation and Communication Directorate where AI technologies are starting to be used and developed.
What would I actually do?
You would analyse the state of the art of product assurance and/or quality, as well as verification and validation techniques and activities applied to the development of AI systems for space and other critical system areas such as aircraft, automotive, train and nuclear industry. You would also work with the PA team to assess the feasibility of using an AI tool (Xcert) for developing the requirement baseline and recording the verification artefacts.
What is the aim of the project?
The aim is to derive and propose Product Assurance or quality assurance techniques and verification and validation techniques to be used in the space domain. Identifying possible techniques to improve the security assurance of such systems is considered a plus.
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 expect?
The vacancy lists a software engineering background, knowledge of SW testing processes and tools, basic knowledge of software quality assurance practices and techniques, and knowledge of AI Technologies and qualification of AI. Basic knowledge of Security 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 21040): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Noordwijk-Intern-in-the-Quality-Department-Resilience%2C-Navigation-&-Communication-Product-Assurance-Section/1452883633/
📰 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
