The European Space Agency (ESA) is offering an internship in the Technology and Commercialisation Contracts Division, part of its Controlling, Finance and Operational Procurement Directorate, 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 team, the tasks, every requirement and the eligibility rules below.
Key Details of the Vacancy
The vacancy lists these formal details:
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21098
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🏛️ Directorate: Controlling, Finance and Operational Procurement
📍 Workplace: Noordwijk, NL
🗺️ Location: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
📣 Publication method: External Only
📅 Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
The Team and Its Mission
The team you would be joining is a dynamic and international group of legal professionals who share a strong passion for space and for the transformative potential of space technology. Our work sits at the intersection of law, technology and innovation, supporting projects that turn space capabilities into practical applications and services on Earth.
Contractual and Legal Work on Space Applications
In particular, the team is involved in the contractual and legal aspects of space technology application projects, including projects making use of satellite-based assets and services. The team works closely with technical teams and other experts to understand the objectives of each project and identify the most appropriate contractual and legal solutions to support their successful implementation.
Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website.
What You Would Gain as a Contracts Intern
As a Contracts intern, you would have the opportunity to gain first-hand exposure to the legal and contractual challenges arising from innovative space projects, while developing an understanding of how legal expertise can contribute to the development, deployment and commercialisation of space technologies and applications.
Learning Alongside International Contract Officers
You would learn alongside contract officers and specialists from different nationalities and professional backgrounds, in a collaborative and international environment. This is an opportunity to combine your legal skills with an interest in cutting-edge space technology and to see how contracts and legal frameworks can help transform innovative ideas and space assets into real-world satellite applications.
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How International Procurement Works
You will learn how procurements are performed at an international level. The vacancy names these learning goals:
📜 What the requirements are to launch a public procurement
🧭 What the best procurement procedure is for your objective
⚖️ How to make sure that the procurement is performed according to the principle of fairness, ensuring equal treatment of the involved bidders
💶 How to select the best offer with respect to the budget available
Your Tasks and Where the Experience Can Lead
During your internship, you will prepare contracts, adapting them to the objectives of the procurements. The experience you will gain may help you further to go on working in the legal practice as a lawyer or as legal counsel in a company dedicated to the booming space sector.
Background That Counts as an Asset
The vacancy names these assets:
🤝 Knowledge and background in mergers and acquisitions
🤖 Knowledge of AI
🔬 Knowledge of technology and law
Education Requirements
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.
Language 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.
How Long the Internship Lasts and When It Starts
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.
ESA Behavioural Competencies for This Role
The vacancy lists the following 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 and Selection Tests
During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored. During the recruitment process, the Agency may also request applicants to undergo selection tests.
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.
Applicants from Canada as a Cooperating State can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).
Application Limit
According to ESA's announcement of its 2027 student internships, one candidate can apply for a maximum of 2 vacancies.
Equal Opportunities and Support for Applicants with Disabilities
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.
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 Technology and Commercialisation Contracts Division internship based?
The internship is based at ESTEC in Noordwijk, the Netherlands. 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 Contracts intern?
You will prepare contracts, adapting them to the objectives of the procurements. You will also learn alongside contract officers and specialists how procurements are performed at an international level.
What will I learn about procurement?
You will learn what the requirements are to launch a public procurement and what the best procurement procedure is for your objective. You will also learn how to ensure fairness and equal treatment of the involved bidders and how to select the best offer with respect to the budget available.
Which team will I join?
You would join an international group of legal professionals who work on the contractual and legal aspects of space technology application projects. These include projects making use of satellite-based assets and services.
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. The vacancy also welcomes applicants from Canada as a Cooperating State and from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).
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 names knowledge and background in mergers and acquisitions, knowledge of AI and knowledge of technology and law as assets.
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.
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-Technology-and-Commercialisation-Contracts-Division/1453009033/
📘 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
