The European Space Agency (ESA) is offering an internship in the RNC Projects Department, working in the Genesis Project Team 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: 20999
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🏛️ Directorate: Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity
📍 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 Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity Directorate and sits in the RNC Projects Department, in the Genesis Project Team.
The Genesis Mission
Genesis is a mission in the ESA Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity Directorate, planned for launch in 2029 and currently under development. The Genesis satellite will combine the main geodetic techniques:
🌌 VLBI: Very-Long-Baseline Interferometry
🔦 SLR: Satellite Laser Ranging
🛰️ GNSS: Global Navigation Satellite Systems
📻 DORIS: Doppler Orbitography and Radiopositioning Integrated by Satellite
By flying the four geodetic techniques on a single well-calibrated satellite, the individual biases of the techniques can be removed.
What Genesis Will Deliver
As a result, the mission will enable the generation of an updated global model of Earth, the International Terrestrial Reference Frame, employed for everything from land surveying to measuring sea-level rise. It will reach an accuracy down to 1 mm while tracking ground motion of just 0.1 mm per year. This improvement will have a major impact on multiple navigation and Earth science applications, including enhancing the precision of the Galileo navigation system.
A Small ESA Team Working the "New Space" Way
The ESA project team is small and supported by experts as required. It works closely with industry and the scientific community to develop the mission in a "New Space" approach wherever feasible. Both the space and ground segments will be under design during the internship, providing an opportunity to gain first-hand experience of system-level space mission design alongside seasoned experts. The vacancy encourages interested candidates to visit the ESA website to learn more about the Agency.
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Your Role: System Engineering and Performance
Reporting to the Genesis System and Operations Manager, you will carry out tasks and grow your knowledge in the system engineering and payload/system performance domain, while supporting the development of the mission. In a "New Space" mission framework, you will support the execution of Genesis mission engineering-related activities within the Project and industrial consortium and be part of the work during the critical design phase of the mission.
GNSS Simulation and Hardware-in-the-Loop Testing
As an intern, you will carry out GNSS simulation activities, including testing with hardware-in-the-loop, including but not limited to:
🧪 Consolidation of the Genesis reference scenario using available test equipment in the ESA lab (GNSS simulators and prototype receivers)
📶 Assessment of GNSS performance in the Genesis orbit
Performance Simulations Across the Four Instruments
You will also work on GNSS/VLBI/SLR/DORIS performance simulations and assessment:
📊 Review and analysis of key performance parameters of the four Genesis instruments and their combination to achieve the Genesis mission goals
🗓️ Preparation of Genesis operational scenarios and exploitation of scientific data
What You Gain from the Internship
This is an opportunity to be part of the system engineering team of a small mission currently in its design phase, where several interesting topics need to be addressed. You will have access to experienced team members who will support the further development of the engineering skills acquired at university, while providing opportunities to demonstrate your ability to independently handle selected tasks.
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.
Skills and Personal Qualities
The vacancy asks for the following:
🧠 A good technical background from university, together with analytical, organisational and reporting skills
💡 A proactive approach to problem-solving and an interest in innovative technologies and methodologies
🤝 Good interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team
🧭 Previous experience working in international teams, which would be considered an asset
🎯 The ability to demonstrate that you can work autonomously, effectively and cooperatively in a diverse, international team environment
🗣️ A results-oriented approach and the capability of presenting practical solutions both verbally and in writing
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.
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.
Applicants from Canada as a Cooperating State can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).
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 Genesis Project Team internship based?
The internship is based at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands, in ESA's Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity 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 is the Genesis mission?
Genesis is an ESA mission planned for launch in 2029 and currently under development. Its satellite will combine four geodetic techniques (VLBI, SLR, GNSS and DORIS) to generate an updated International Terrestrial Reference Frame with an accuracy down to 1 mm.
What will I work on as an intern?
Reporting to the Genesis System and Operations Manager, you work on system engineering and payload/system performance. Your tasks cover GNSS simulation with hardware-in-the-loop testing, and performance simulations and assessment of the four Genesis instruments and their combination.
Will I use real test equipment?
The vacancy describes consolidating the Genesis reference scenario using available test equipment in the ESA lab, namely GNSS simulators and prototype receivers. It also includes assessing GNSS performance in the Genesis orbit.
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. Applicants from Canada as a Cooperating State can apply, as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).
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.
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-RNC-Projects-Department-Genesis-Project-Team/1452922833/
📘 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
