The European Space Agency (ESA) is offering an internship in Signal Engineering and Radio-Frequency Compatibility of LEO-PNT systems, within the LEO-PNT Payload, Signal and Frequencies 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: 20997
🎓 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
Your Place in the Celeste Programme
The internship is in LEO-PNT Signal Engineering and RF Compatibility, within the LEO-PNT Payload, Signal and Frequencies Team, Celeste Programme, Projects Department, Directorate of Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity.
What Celeste and FutureNAV Are
Celeste is the Component 1 LEO-PNT within the FutureNAV programme. It represents the ESA contribution towards establishing a European Low Earth Orbit Positioning, Navigation and Timing (LEO-PNT) capability as part of a multilayer system-of-systems PNT architecture. The component aims to complement existing GNSS services by leveraging a constellation of LEO satellites to deliver enhanced resilience, improved accuracy and innovative features for emerging applications.
What the LEO-PNT Payload, Signal and Frequencies Team Is Responsible For
The team is responsible for all aspects related to the satellite payload and associated technology building blocks, signal-in-space engineering, as well as frequency management. This covers the following LEO-PNT activities managed by ESA:
🛰️ The implementation of Component 1 of the FutureNAV programme
🔮 The preparation of the future operational phase of the EU LEO-PNT system
The Two Celeste Phases
The implementation of Component 1 of the FutureNAV programme includes two phases:
🧪 The Celeste In-Orbit Demonstrator (IOD) phase: an end-to-end system showcasing the feasibility and benefits of using low Earth orbits, novel signals and frequency bands
🌐 The Celeste In-Orbit Preparatory (IOP) phase: prepares for a future LEO-PNT operational system for the European Union and aims to unlock potential global commercial opportunities
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Learn More About ESA
The vacancy encourages interested candidates to visit the ESA website to learn more about the Agency; the address is in the Links section below.
Internship Topic: Signal Engineering and RF Compatibility of LEO-PNT Systems
The growing interest in Low Earth Orbit Positioning, Navigation and Timing (LEO-PNT) systems creates new challenges in terms of radio-frequency (RF) spectrum usage and compatibility with existing GNSS/RNSS services.
What You Will Do as an Intern
As an intern, you will have the following tasks:
📡 Contribute to the analysis of the RF compatibility of potential LEO-PNT signals
📈 Characterise, under the guidance of experienced engineers, navigation signals in the frequency domain; assess potential interference mechanisms and evaluate the impact of system parameters such as signal bandwidth, power, spectral shaping, antenna patterns and orbital geometry
💻 Develop and use simulation tools in MATLAB and/or Python to generate and analyse signals, calculate spectral and interference metrics and investigate compatibility scenarios
What You Will Gain by the End of the Internship
By the end of the internship, you will have gained hands-on experience in satellite navigation signal design, RF interference and compatibility analysis, numerical modelling and engineering assessment. You will also develop the ability to independently formulate and investigate technical questions relevant to future LEO-PNT systems.
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.
Technical Skills the Vacancy Asks For
The vacancy lists these additional requirements:
🧭 Good understanding of GNSS fundamentals, digital communications and signal processing, including modulation schemes, signal spectra, Doppler effects, correlation and receiver acquisition/tracking concepts
📶 Basic knowledge of RF systems, antennas, propagation and link budgets
🧮 Experience with MATLAB and/or Python for signal generation, spectral analysis and numerical simulations; ability to analyse PSDs, interference levels and receiver-performance impacts is desirable
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 LEO-PNT Payload, Signal and Frequencies internship based?
The internship is based at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands, within ESA's Directorate of Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity. 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 Celeste?
Celeste is the Component 1 LEO-PNT within the FutureNAV programme. It represents the ESA contribution towards establishing a European Low Earth Orbit Positioning, Navigation and Timing capability as part of a multilayer system-of-systems PNT architecture.
What will I work on as an intern?
You contribute to the analysis of the RF compatibility of potential LEO-PNT signals and characterise navigation signals in the frequency domain under the guidance of experienced engineers. You also assess interference mechanisms and develop simulation tools in MATLAB and/or Python.
Which system parameters will I evaluate?
The vacancy names signal bandwidth, power, spectral shaping, antenna patterns and orbital geometry as the system parameters whose impact you evaluate.
Which technical skills do I need?
The vacancy asks for a good understanding of GNSS fundamentals, digital communications and signal processing, plus basic knowledge of RF systems, antennas, propagation and link budgets. Experience with MATLAB and/or Python is also listed, and the ability to analyse PSDs, interference levels and receiver-performance impacts is desirable.
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-LEO-PNT-Payload%2C-Signal-and-Frequencies-Team/1452922533/
📘 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
