The European Space Agency (ESA) is recruiting an Intern in the Systems Department for the Development of PVT Algorithms for Lunar Users at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands. The internship lasts 3 to 6 months, starts from February 2027 onwards, and applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full vacancy: you will develop lunar navigation algorithms that estimate a user's Position, Velocity and Time from a single satellite orbiting the Moon.
Vacancy at a Glance
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21062
🎓 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
🗓️ Duration: 3 to 6 months, from February 2027 onwards
The End-To-End Systems Engineering Division (TEC-SE)
The End-To-End Systems Engineering Division (TEC-SE) is responsible for supporting projects for the Engineering of End-To-End (E2E) systems, the associated security aspects, E2E systems integration and verification activities (SIV), and service preparation. To serve these functions, the Head of the Division defines and executes the associated technology developments and studies, as well as the verification and validation laboratory facilities, and supports the preparation of the relevant engineering standards.
The Five Sections of the Division
The E2E Systems Division consists of five sections and associated laboratory facilities:
🧭 Navigation Systems Definition Section
🛠️ Navigation Systems Implementation and Validation Section
🔒 Systems Security Engineering Section
📡 Telecommunication Systems and Techniques Section
💬 E2E System Comms Section
Your Section: Navigation Systems Implementation and Validation
The role will be within the Navigation Systems Implementation and Validation Section. This section provides expert advice and engineering support to ESA projects, programmes and studies in the fields of radio navigation and Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS).
Moonlight and the Lunar Communications and Navigation System
Moonlight is one of ESA's ongoing programmes. Under it, a Lunar Communications and Navigation System (LCNS) constellation is being developed to provide communication and navigation services for the lunar environment.
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What This Internship Is About
The role includes advanced lunar navigation algorithm development, capable of estimating a user's Position, Velocity and Time (PVT) using measurements from a single navigation satellite orbiting the Moon.
Why a Single Navigation Satellite Matters
The resulting capability will support the provision of navigation services during the initial deployment phase of the Moonlight system, when only a single navigation satellite may be available before the full constellation is established.
Field of Activity for the Internship
Advanced lunar navigation algorithms development capable of estimating PVT using measurements from a single navigation satellite orbiting the Moon.
Your Five Tasks
Your tasks will include:
🔬 Conducting research and developing innovative algorithm(s) for Position, Velocity and Time (PVT) estimation in the lunar environment, using measurements (i.e. Doppler and code) from a single Moonlight navigation satellite.
💻 Developing, implementing and validating the PVT algorithm(s) through simulation and performance assessment activities.
📉 Performing sensitivity analyses to assess the impact of key error sources, including satellite orbit determination and timing synchronisation (ODTS) and receiver clock errors.
🗺️ Investigating and analysing the use of additional information sources available in the lunar environment, such as Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) and communication signals from the ESA Pathfinder satellite, to enhance navigation performance.
🌓 Evaluating the algorithm performance under different lunar operational scenarios, including the initial Moonlight deployment phase when only a single navigation satellite may be available.
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.
Skills ESA Is Looking For
You should also have:
⌨️ Good knowledge of MATLAB, Python or other related programming languages.
🌐 Familiarity with satellite-based navigation concepts such as Earth GNSS.
Working Languages
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.
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 Sanctions Requirement
Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
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.
Selection Tests and Interview
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.
Visit the ESA Website
The vacancy encourages interested candidates to visit the ESA website, linked at the end of this post.
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
ESA values diversity and welcomes people with disabilities. Whenever possible, it 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 PVT algorithms for lunar users internship take place?
The internship is based at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands, within the Systems Department of ESA's Technology, Engineering and Quality Directorate. The role sits in the Navigation Systems Implementation and Validation Section.
What will I work on during this internship?
You will develop and validate advanced lunar navigation algorithms that estimate a user's Position, Velocity and Time (PVT) using Doppler and code measurements from a single Moonlight navigation satellite orbiting the Moon. The work includes simulation, performance assessment and sensitivity analyses.
What is Moonlight?
Moonlight is one of ESA's ongoing programmes. Under it, a Lunar Communications and Navigation System (LCNS) constellation is being developed to provide communication and navigation services for the lunar environment.
Why does the internship focus on a single navigation satellite?
The resulting capability will support navigation services during the initial deployment phase of Moonlight, when only a single navigation satellite may be available before the full constellation is established.
Which error sources will I analyse?
The vacancy names satellite orbit determination and timing synchronisation (ODTS) and receiver clock errors as key error sources for the sensitivity analyses. You will also investigate additional information sources such as Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) and communication signals from the ESA Pathfinder satellite.
How long is the internship and when does it start?
ESA internships last from 3 to 6 months and begin from February 2027 onwards. The start date is agreed with the ESA tutor.
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 skills do I need?
The vacancy asks for good knowledge of MATLAB, Python or other related programming languages, and familiarity with satellite-based navigation concepts such as Earth GNSS.
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 many ESA internships can I apply for?
A candidate can apply for up to two ESA internship opportunities.
Is an allowance stated in the vacancy?
No. The vacancy does not state an allowance for this internship.
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.
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 21062): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Noordwijk-Intern-in-the-Systems-Department-Development-of-PVT-Algorithms-for-Lunar-Users/1452888133/
📰 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
