The European Space Agency (ESA) is offering an internship in the AI and Data Science Section of its Systems Department, based 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 the six internship topics, every requirement and the eligibility rules below.
Key Details of the Vacancy
The vacancy lists these formal details:
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21053
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🏛️ Directorate: Technology, Engineering and Quality
📍 Workplace: Noordwijk, NL
🗺️ Location: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
📣 Publication method: External Only
📅 Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
The ESA Systems Department
The Systems Department is responsible for Systems Engineering, its implementation within Projects and In Orbit Demonstration, and the innovative solutions, in terms of technology and methodology, that enhance its effectiveness.
The department covers these areas:
🤖 Artificial Intelligence
🧪 Advanced Simulation
🥽 Augmented Reality
🤝 Concurrent and Collaborative Engineering
💶 Cost Engineering
💻 Digital Engineering
🧩 MBSE
🌱 Sustainability
Standardisation is also within the responsibility of the Systems Department, ensuring that processes are formalised and shared across the broad community of space stakeholders.
The Future Engineering Division
The Future Engineering Division, in support of the programme directorates, is responsible for developing and providing the right Engineering Tools, Methods and Standards:
🧠 Leading the Agency's centre of excellence for Artificial Intelligence and processing technologies for space applications
🔬 Leading the centre of excellence for Advanced Simulation Methods, including scientific data processing and databases, software applications including human-computer interfaces, support for science operation centres and downstream applications
♻️ Supporting projects with the centre of competence in Sustainability Engineering for all areas related to Clean Space, Life Cycle Analysis, EcoDesign, Zero Debris, REACH and RoHS
🚀 Performing pre-Phase A mission and system design studies in support of programmes' preparation of future missions, providing cost assessments and developing next-generation methodologies including Concurrent Design Facility (CDF), MBSE, and associated ontologies
📐 Supporting the evolution of ECSS standards supported by all TEC departments and in full coordination with programmes
The AI and Data Science Section
The purpose of the AI and Data Science Section is to implement the ESA AI Competence Centre and lead the Agency's centre of excellence for advanced technologies supporting the development and exploitation of future space missions. It contributes to the main mission of the Technology, Engineering and Quality Directorate in supporting European projects and their success through excellent engineering and the provision of innovative and enabling technologies, processes, methods, tools and applications.
The AI and Data Science Section carries out technology research in the field of Artificial Intelligence, Data Science and related areas. Candidates are encouraged to visit the ESA website for more information about the Agency.
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Six Topics to Choose From
You can choose among six internship topics. Each one is described below together with the skills the vacancy lists for it.
Topic 1: Knowledge Graph-powered Agentic Workflows for Space Applications
This internship first explores methods for combining knowledge graphs with agentic workflows (for example graph-as-memory, Agentic Graph RAG, or graph-as-coordination-hub for multi-agent systems) and maps these methods against candidate use cases in the space domain. Building on this exploration, you will then design, develop and evaluate a prototype implementing one selected use case, demonstrating how the chosen method addresses a concrete space-related challenge.
What the vacancy asks for:
✅ Required: knowledge of Large Language Models and agentic systems
⭐ Asset: familiarity with Knowledge Graphs
Topic 2: Synthesis of Pareto-Optimal Interpretations for Neural Network-Based Anomaly Detection Systems
This internship explores the synthesis of Pareto-optimal interpretations for neural network-based anomaly detection systems intended for autonomous onboard satellite operations. The objective is to investigate methods for generating simple, human-understandable representations (such as decision diagrams) of complex black-box models (such as neural networks), while balancing competing objectives including predictive fidelity, interpretability, and representation complexity.
Constructing transparent and trustworthy interpretations is a key requirement for machine learning components in mission-critical domains, where accountability and explainability are essential. You will tailor state-of-the-art symbolic reasoning techniques to machine learning models relevant to ESA programmes, with a particular focus on neural network-based onboard anomaly detection.
What the vacancy asks for:
✅ Required: basic knowledge of machine learning models, particularly neural networks and decision trees
⭐ Assets: an interest in explainable AI and familiarity with automated reasoning techniques (for example SAT and MaxSAT solving)
Topic 3: LLM-Assisted Verified Code Generation
The increasing complexity of safety-critical software for space systems calls for new development methodologies that combine automation with rigorous correctness guarantees. This internship investigates the role of Large Language Models (LLMs) as assistants in the development of formally verified software components for critical systems.
You will explore LLM-assisted formal specification, where natural-language system requirements are translated into precise formal properties. Building on these specifications, the internship will study approaches for automated code generation and refinement, using formal verification techniques to validate correctness, safety, and reliability.
The objective is to move beyond treating LLMs as autonomous code generators and instead establish a workflow in which LLMs serve as efficient engineering assistants whose outputs are systematically checked and validated through formal methods.
What the vacancy asks for:
✅ Required: familiarity with Large Language Models and agentic systems, along with a strong background in software design and programming
⭐ Assets: experience with formal methods and automated theorem provers, especially the LEAN proof assistant
Topic 4: Symbolic AI to Simulate Quantum Convolutional Neural Network for Satellite Data Classification
Quantum machine learning (QML) is emerging as a promising technology in image classification and remote sensing tasks that naturally arise in Earth observation. However, due to current hardware limitations, the quantum circuit embedded into the AI pipeline is limited in size and the gate basis that it can use. The potential advantage of QML approaches can still be assessed using simulators for the quantum circuit.
In this internship, you will integrate novel quantum-circuit simulators based on automated reasoning techniques into the QML pipeline to classify satellite images. The automated reasoning approach is agnostic to the gate basis used by the circuit, allowing quantum circuits of different sizes and with different gates to be implemented and evaluated in this context.
The outcome of the project will help ESA prepare for the time when quantum computers are commonly available and gives you a unique opportunity to apply cutting-edge machine learning and quantum computing technologies to real satellite data.
What the vacancy asks for:
✅ Required: knowledge of gate-based quantum computing and experience in developing AI pipelines in Python
⭐ Asset: a basic understanding of propositional logic and symbolic AI
Topic 5: Agentic-LLM ROS2 Controller for Rover Autonomy
Increased autonomy of rovers would allow for further scientific exploration. This internship explores the potential role agentic Large Language Models could play in enabling this autonomy, as well as its potential limitations.
You will implement an agentic LLM model framework that can take as input a task list and subsequently issue commands to the rover (using the ROS/ROS2 library) to accomplish these tasks, and test the resulting quality of this framework. The internship objectives include:
🧭 Integrating pathfinding and collision avoidance tools and models into this agent
🌕 Deploying this agent both in a lunar simulation environment and on board an analogue rover for performance evaluation
🛑 Exploring which stopgaps to implement to minimise machine error
What the vacancy asks for:
✅ Required: familiarity with Large Language Models and their agentic systems
⭐ Asset: experience working with robotics libraries (ROS/ROS2)
Topic 6: Evaluation Methods for Agentic AI in Systems Engineering
Agentic AI systems are increasingly capable of performing complex engineering tasks involving information retrieval, reasoning and the use of external tools. However, systematically evaluating their correctness, consistency and robustness remains challenging, particularly for tasks where results must be supported by different engineering sources.
In this internship, you will investigate evaluation methods for agentic AI applied to systems engineering tasks. You will define representative tasks and evaluation criteria, and develop a reproducible framework for comparing different agent configurations, models and reasoning strategies. The evaluation will consider representative activities such as requirements analysis, traceability assessment and verification support.
The outcome of the project will be a reusable methodology for assessing the capabilities and limitations of agentic AI in engineering applications, with the aim of supporting engineering activities and project reviews.
What the vacancy asks for:
✅ Required: familiarity with Large Language Models and agentic systems, along with good programming skills, particularly in Python
⭐ Assets: an interest in systems engineering and experience with evaluating AI systems, information retrieval or automated reasoning
Who Can Apply: 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 the Interview
The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required, and 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
The vacancy lists six ESA core behavioural competencies, and the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook gives more information on them:
🎯 Result Orientation
⚙️ Operational Efficiency
🤝 Fostering Cooperation
💬 Relationship Management
📈 Continuous Improvement
🔭 Forward Thinking
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.
Selection Tests and Export Control
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
Internship Length, Start Date and Application Limit
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. 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 therefore 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 AI and Data Science Section internship based?
The vacancy lists ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands, as the location. The workplace is given as Noordwijk, NL, within the Technology, Engineering and Quality Directorate.
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.
Which internship topics can I choose from?
You can choose among six topics: Knowledge Graph-powered Agentic Workflows for Space Applications, Synthesis of Pareto-Optimal Interpretations for Neural Network-Based Anomaly Detection Systems, LLM-Assisted Verified Code Generation, Symbolic AI to Simulate Quantum Convolutional Neural Network for Satellite Data Classification, Agentic-LLM ROS2 Controller for Rover Autonomy, and Evaluation Methods for Agentic AI in Systems Engineering.
What skills do I need for the topics?
Each topic lists its own required skills. Topics 1, 3, 5 and 6 require familiarity with Large Language Models and agentic systems, Topic 2 requires basic knowledge of machine learning models, and Topic 4 requires knowledge of gate-based quantum computing and experience in developing AI pipelines in Python.
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.
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, 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-Systems-Department-AI-and-Data-Science-Section/1452886633/
📘 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
