The European Space Agency (ESA) is recruiting an intern for the Navigation Systems Definition Section of 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 focuses on shaping the future Solar System Internet (SSI) navigation system, including simulators, analysis tools and a possible demonstrator mission in cislunar space.
ESA Navigation Systems Definition Internship: Key Facts
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21057
🎓 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 - Navigation Systems Definition Section
⏳ Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
Our Team and Mission: The Navigation Systems Definition Section
The Navigation Systems Definition Section (TEC-SEN) is leading, or providing support to, the Agency's activities that require expertise in the field of Positioning, Navigation, Timing (PNT) and Geolocation Systems definition, design and development.
The PNT and Geolocation domain covers the End-to-End (E2E) Engineering of Positioning, Navigation, Timing and Geolocation Systems, at System, Space, Ground and User segments level, covering links, elements and equipment, system concepts, and all related techniques and technologies, for Earth, Space and Solar System applications.
What the PNT and Geolocation Domain Covers
Besides the segment levels above, the vacancy lists these areas within the domain:
🏗️ System, Segment and Payload System architectures and performance
📶 Signal-in-space and signal processing
📲 GNSS receivers
🧮 Algorithms
🛸 OD&TS
🌠 Formation-flying
🔬 RF and Optical metrology
The vacancy invites interested candidates to visit the ESA website, listed in the Links section below.
Field of Activity: Shaping the Solar System Internet Navigation System
Under the supervision of a tutor in the navigation system definition section, you will shape the future Solar System Internet (SSI) Navigation system. You will develop simulators and analysis tools to characterise the performance of SSI at both system and user level.
In addition, you will support the definition of an SSI In-Orbit Demonstrator (IOD) mission in cislunar space, aimed at de-risking key SSI technologies, and enabling future lunar science and exploration activities.
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What You Will Do as a Navigation Systems Definition Intern
In particular, you will:
💻 Develop end-to-end simulation tools for System Internet Navigation Performance assessment
🌕 Perform mission analysis for a Solar System In-Orbit Demonstrator in cislunar space
🗺️ Analyse and address navigation use cases for future Solar System missions
⏱️ Investigate autonomous positioning, navigation and time synchronisation concepts for deep-space users and infrastructure nodes
📐 Contribute to the definition and evaluation of SSI architectures and deployment scenarios
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.
Experience You Should Demonstrate
You should demonstrate experience in either one of the following fields:
🐍 Software development in MATLAB or Python
🪐 Orbital mechanics, astrodynamics and space mission analysis
📡 Telecommunications
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.
During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.
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 Navigation Systems Definition internship take place?
The internship is based at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands, within the Navigation Systems Definition Section (TEC-SEN) of the Systems Department, in the Technology, Engineering and Quality Directorate.
What will I work on during the internship?
Under the supervision of a tutor, you would shape the future Solar System Internet (SSI) Navigation system. You would develop end-to-end simulation tools for performance assessment, perform mission analysis for an SSI In-Orbit Demonstrator in cislunar space, analyse navigation use cases for future Solar System missions, investigate autonomous positioning, navigation and time synchronisation concepts for deep-space users and infrastructure nodes, and contribute to the definition and evaluation of SSI architectures and deployment scenarios.
What is the SSI In-Orbit Demonstrator?
It is a mission in cislunar space that the intern would help define. According to the vacancy, it aims at de-risking key SSI technologies and enabling future lunar science and exploration activities.
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.
What experience do I need?
The vacancy asks you to demonstrate experience in either one of three fields: software development in MATLAB or Python, orbital mechanics, astrodynamics and space mission analysis, or telecommunications.
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 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 21057): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Noordwijk-Intern-in-the-Systems-Department-Navigation-Systems-Definition-Section/1452887133/
📰 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
