The European Space Agency (ESA) is recruiting an intern for Failure Detection, Isolation and Recovery (FDIR) system engineering in its Systems Department at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands. Applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full vacancy: the internship is built around analysing real spacecraft operational history from several ESA missions and turning it into lessons learned for future mission designs.
ESA FDIR System Engineering Internship: Key Facts
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21060
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🏛️ Directorate: Technology, Engineering and Quality
🏙️ Workplace: Noordwijk, NL
📍 Location: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
🌐 Publication method: external only
🏷️ Vacancy title as published: Intern in the Systems Department - FDIR System Engineering
⏳ Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
The Team and Its Mission
The team is responsible for Failure Detection, Isolation and Recovery. It supports the development of space missions throughout their lifecycle, from early concept studies to operations, with a particular focus on fault management, system autonomy, mission robustness and operational safety.
The team contributes to the continuous improvement of engineering practices across ESA missions by capturing lessons learned from past and ongoing programmes and by supporting the evolution of engineering handbooks, methods and tools. In particular, it contributes to the development of Failure Detection, Isolation and Recovery methodologies and associated engineering toolchains used to improve mission availability, fault tolerance and operational efficiency.
A Multidisciplinary Working Environment
You will work in a multidisciplinary environment involving systems engineering, reliability, software, operations and mission analysis.
You will have the opportunity to analyse real mission operational data and spacecraft anomaly reports, identify recurring patterns and engineering lessons, and contribute to the development of future Failure Detection, Isolation and Recovery concepts and monitoring approaches for ESA missions.
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Field of Activity: Lessons Learned from Spacecraft Operations
During your internship, you will contribute to the analysis of spacecraft operational history from multiple ESA missions with the objective of extracting actionable lessons learned for future mission designs.
The internship offers a unique opportunity to work with real operational experience from spacecraft missions and contribute directly to improving the robustness and autonomy of future ESA missions.
What Your Activities May Include
📑 Analysing spacecraft anomaly reports, operational events and mission databases from multiple missions
🚨 Identifying failures, false positives, nuisance alarms and operational workarounds associated with Failure Detection, Isolation and Recovery functions
📊 Assessing the effectiveness of monitoring strategies, recovery actions and autonomous fault management concepts
🔎 Identifying recurring weaknesses, missing observability, excessive complexity or design shortcomings in monitoring and recovery architectures
💡 Collecting evidence-based lessons learned and mapping them to engineering recommendations for future missions
🗄️ Supporting the development and maintenance of a structured database of spacecraft monitors, recovery actions and operational experience
🧰 Contributing to the evolution of engineering tools supporting Failure Detection, Isolation and Recovery design and analysis
🔗 Supporting the consolidation of traceability between anomaly reports, failure modes, monitoring mechanisms and recovery concepts
📘 Contributing to updates of the ESA SAVOIR FDIR Handbook and associated lessons learned repositories
⚖️ Supporting comparative analyses across missions to identify common fault management patterns and best practices
💬 Participating in technical discussions with system, reliability and operations engineers
What You Will Gain
Through this work you will gain practical experience in spacecraft systems engineering, mission operations, fault management, engineering data analysis and knowledge management for complex space systems.
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.
Languages and Interview
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.
During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.
Background That Counts as an Asset
Knowledge and background in one or more of the following areas is an asset:
🛰️ Spacecraft systems engineering
🛡️ Failure Detection, Isolation and Recovery concepts
📡 Mission operations or spacecraft operations
🧮 Data analysis and large dataset processing
🎓 Aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, computer engineering or a related discipline
🐍 Experience with Python, databases or data analytics tools
📖 Ability to analyse technical documentation and derive engineering conclusions
♻️ Interest in lessons learned, knowledge management and continuous improvement processes
🧠 Strong analytical and structured thinking skills
📝 Ability to communicate technical findings clearly in written reports and presentations
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 Selection Tests
Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests.
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.
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
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. 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 FDIR System Engineering internship take place?
The internship is based at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands, within the Systems Department of ESA's Technology, Engineering and Quality Directorate.
What does FDIR mean?
FDIR stands for Failure Detection, Isolation and Recovery. The team responsible for it supports space missions throughout their lifecycle, with a particular focus on fault management, system autonomy, mission robustness and operational safety.
What will I work on during the internship?
You would contribute to the analysis of spacecraft operational history from multiple ESA missions to extract lessons learned for future mission designs. Your activities may include analysing anomaly reports and mission databases, identifying failures, false positives and nuisance alarms, assessing monitoring strategies and recovery actions, collecting evidence-based lessons learned, supporting a structured database of spacecraft monitors and recovery actions, and contributing to updates of the ESA SAVOIR FDIR Handbook.
Will I work with real mission data?
Yes, according to the vacancy. You will have the opportunity to analyse real mission operational data and spacecraft anomaly reports and to work with real operational experience from spacecraft missions.
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 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.
Which skills and backgrounds are an asset?
The vacancy lists spacecraft systems engineering, FDIR concepts, mission or spacecraft operations, data analysis and large dataset processing, a background in aerospace, electrical or computer engineering or a related discipline, experience with Python, databases or data analytics tools, the ability to analyse technical documentation, interest in lessons learned and knowledge management, strong analytical and structured thinking, and clear written and oral communication of technical findings.
How long is the internship and when does it start?
According to ESA's 2027 student internships announcement, internships last 3 to 6 months and begin from February 2027 onwards. The exact start date is agreed with the ESA tutor.
How many ESA internships can I apply for?
A candidate can apply for up to two ESA internship opportunities, according to ESA's announcement for the 2027 student internships.
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.
Does the vacancy mention a stipend?
The vacancy does not state an allowance for this internship. ESA notes that the information on its careers website regarding internship conditions is correct at the time of publication but is not intended to be exhaustive.
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 21060): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Noordwijk-Intern-in-the-Systems-Department-FDIR-System-Engineering/1452887833/
📰 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
