The European Space Agency (ESA) is recruiting an intern for the Software Product Assurance 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: the internship updates the section's knowledge base, internal wiki and training material on software product assurance for space missions.
ESA Software Product Assurance Internship: Key Facts
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21039
🎓 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 - Software Product Assurance Section
⏳ Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
Inside the Software Product Assurance Section
The Software Product Assurance Section provides support to ESA programmes and missions, ensuring that software related requirements defined in the mission's baseline are met. The Section ensures that appropriate processes, methods and tools used for software development are deployed through the entire development lifecycle.
The vacancy invites interested candidates to visit the ESA website, listed in the Links section below.
Services Offered by the Section
The Section also offers services for:
🔍 Software product evaluation for conformity
🦺 Software safety and dependability
📋 Software process assessment
The Team at ESTEC
The team in ESTEC consists of 14 people supporting the Software Product Assurance activities for projects across multiple domains, including:
🔭 Science
🤖 Human and Robotic Exploration
🌍 Earth Observation
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Field of Activity: Knowledge Base and Training Material
The topic of the internship is to update the knowledge base and training material from the Software Product Assurance section, including the internal wiki page.
Updating the Knowledge Base
The knowledge base defines key aspects used by the team for its day-to-day activities. It needs to be updated based on new standards and feedback from the team.
Updating the Training Material
The section offers training courses to a variety of audiences. The training material needs to be updated to reflect the new activities in the domain and to adapt it to the new format.
Learning Objective
Overall knowledge about the Software Product Assurance domain for space missions, based on the proposed activity.
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.
Background and Skills
🖥️ Background in software engineering or computer science is essential.
🧰 Knowledge about software standards and tools is an asset.
Language and Interview 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.
During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.
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.
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 Software Product Assurance internship take place?
The internship is based at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands, within the Quality Department and the Technology, Engineering and Quality Directorate.
What will I work on during the internship?
You would update the knowledge base and training material of the Software Product Assurance section, including the internal wiki page. The knowledge base is updated based on new standards and feedback from the team, and the training material is updated to reflect new activities in the domain and adapted to the new format.
What will I learn?
The learning objective is overall knowledge about the Software Product Assurance domain for space missions, based on the proposed activity.
What does the Software Product Assurance Section do?
The Section supports ESA programmes and missions in ensuring that software related requirements defined in the mission's baseline are met, and that appropriate processes, methods and tools are deployed through the entire software development lifecycle. It also offers services for software product evaluation for conformity, software safety and dependability, and software process assessment.
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 is required?
A background in software engineering or computer science is essential. Knowledge about software standards and tools 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 21039): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Noordwijk-Intern-in-the-Quality-Department-Software-Product-Assurance-Section/1452883233/
📰 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
