The European Space Agency (ESA) is offering an internship in its Space Resilience Office, part of the Directorate of Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands, where you support space security and geopolitical analysis. 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.
Vacancy at a Glance
The vacancy lists these formal details:
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 20989
🎓 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
The Directorate Behind the Internship
The Directorate of Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity supports Europe's ability to anticipate, withstand and respond to threats affecting satellite navigation and secure connectivity services that underpin everyday life, including transport, energy, health, defence and civil protection. This requires close engagement with European institutions, Member States, industry, academia and international partners to build a coordinated and resilient European space posture. The vacancy also encourages interested candidates to visit the ESA website, which is listed in the Links section.
Why Space Security Matters for Europe
As Europe's reliance on space systems grows, so does its exposure to a range of risks:
💻 Cyber attacks
📶 Jamming and spoofing of satellite signals
🏗️ Physical interference with ground and space infrastructure
🔗 Supply-chain dependencies
⚖️ Wider geopolitical tensions
Understanding both the technical characteristics of these threats and their policy and geopolitical context is essential to keep European navigation and connectivity services safe, dependable and resilient.
Working at the Interface of Engineering, Security Analysis and Policy
Under the direct guidance of the Head of the Space Resilience Office, you support activities at the interface between engineering, security analysis and policy. You help the team assess threats to space systems, understand their strategic implications and position resilience activities within Europe's wider security and defence framework.
The opportunity is suited to candidates from either a technical or policy background who are motivated to develop a multidisciplinary perspective. You contribute to security and threat analysis within the Space Resilience Office, supporting activities that may combine technical assessment with policy and geopolitical analysis.
Your Eight Tasks as an Intern
As an intern, you have the following tasks:
🔎 Monitoring and analysing technical, security, policy and geopolitical developments relevant to European satellite navigation and secure connectivity programmes
📡 Supporting the analysis of threats affecting space systems, including cyber threats, radio-frequency interference, jamming, spoofing and vulnerabilities across space, ground and user segments
🛡️ Contributing to security, risk and resilience assessments of space systems, services and architectures, including the identification of vulnerabilities and potential mitigation measures
📜 Tracking policy, regulatory and strategic developments affecting European space security and resilience activities
🧭 Supporting the assessment of security and geopolitical risks associated with international partnerships, critical technologies and supply chains
📝 Preparing concise briefings, structured assessments and strategic positioning material for management, governing bodies and stakeholder meetings
🗂️ Maintaining a structured repository of open-source information on threats, incidents, technologies and geopolitical developments relevant to the Office's activities
🏛️ Supporting coordination with other Agency teams and with European institutions, Member States, industry, academia and international partners on security-related matters
────────────────────────────────────────
🌍 All opportunities in Netherlands →
────────────────────────────────────────
What You Will Learn
Through this internship, you learn how technical evidence, threat analysis and geopolitical context are combined to support decisions on European space security and resilience. You also develop skills in multidisciplinary analysis, concise strategic communication and cooperation with technical and institutional stakeholders.
Education Requirement
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 Additional 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.
Assets That Strengthen Your Application
The vacancy considers the following assets:
📡 Knowledge and background in space telecommunications and navigation domains
🔍 Familiarity with threat and risk analysis
📖 Knowledge of international relations and space treaties
Behavioural Competencies
The vacancy lists six 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, Selection Tests and Export Control
During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role is explored. During the recruitment process, ESA may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Applicants must also be eligible to access information, technology and hardware that is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
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.
Duration, Start Date and Application Limit
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. One candidate can apply for a maximum of 2 vacancies.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. ESA welcomes applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. 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 Space Resilience Office internship based?
The internship is based at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands, in the 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 will I do as a space security and geopolitical analysis intern?
You support the Space Resilience Office in analysing threats to space systems, including cyber threats, radio-frequency interference, jamming and spoofing. You also track policy and geopolitical developments, contribute to risk and resilience assessments and prepare concise briefings for management, governing bodies and stakeholder meetings.
Do I need a technical or a policy background?
Either is suitable. The vacancy states that the opportunity suits candidates from a technical or policy background who are motivated to develop a multidisciplinary perspective.
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.
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.
Which skills count as an asset?
The vacancy lists knowledge and background in space telecommunications and navigation domains, familiarity with threat and risk analysis, and knowledge of international relations and space treaties.
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 is explored during the interview. ESA may also ask applicants to undergo selection tests, and applicants must be eligible to access information, technology and hardware subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
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-Space-Resilience-Office-Space-Security-and-Geopolitical-Analysis/1452920833/
📘 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
