Youth Works Hub has 17 ESA engineering internships open in Noordwijk, Netherlands, all closing on 30 November 2026. The 2026 batch covers ESA's Mechanical, Electrical and Projects Departments, and 15 of the 17 listings name Master's level university students and a placement of three to six months.
The batch spans 1 country, and each listing is open to applicants from 27 to 31 countries. Topics range from optics, propulsion and robotics to batteries, antennas and AI applied to space electronics. If you are weighing up internships abroad, see also how an internship differs from a fellowship.
Each call has its own angle:
🇳🇱 Netherlands: the Optics Section offers a choice of three topics, from machine learning in optical design to a simulator for the Vigil HI instrument.
🇳🇱 Netherlands: the Robotics Section works on space robotics, from planetary rovers to orbital servicing.
🇳🇱 Netherlands: the Propulsion Engineering Section intern works directly with the Head of Section and the Head of Division.
🇳🇱 Netherlands: the Life Support Section focuses on sintering lunar soil simulant and extracting oxygen through molten salt electrolysis.
🇳🇱 Netherlands: the EnVision internship improves thermo-elastic modelling for a Venus orbiter mission.
🇳🇱 Netherlands: the GNC Systems Architecture Section adapts descent and landing simulators for the Enceladus L4 mission.
🇳🇱 Netherlands: the Microelectronics Section deploys its AI project outcomes on the section's own FPGA farm.
🇳🇱 Netherlands: the Wave Interaction and Propagation Section supports the FORUM far-infrared Earth observation mission.
Every placement in this batch is an ESA internship in Noordwijk, and 15 of the listings state a duration of three to six months. The conditions of each internship are set out on its listing page, so check them before you apply.
📅 Deadlines: 30 Nov (17) 🌍 Countries: 🇳🇱 Netherlands (17)
In This Batch
- 📅 30 Nov · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Internship
- 📅 30 Nov · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Internship
- 📅 30 Nov · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Internship
- 📅 30 Nov · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Internship
- 📅 30 Nov · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Internship
- 📅 30 Nov · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Internship
- 📅 30 Nov · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Internship
- 📅 30 Nov · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Internship
- 📅 30 Nov · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Internship
- 📅 30 Nov · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Internship
- 📅 30 Nov · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Internship
- 📅 30 Nov · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Internship
- 📅 30 Nov · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Internship
- 📅 30 Nov · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Internship
- 📅 30 Nov · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Internship
- 📅 30 Nov · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Internship
- 📅 30 Nov · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Internship
What's in this batch:
17 Internships · 1 Country
💼 Internships & Traineeships
1. 🇳🇱 Optics Section Intern 🔭 ESA Mechanical Department Internship in Noordwijk, Netherlands 🔬
📅 Deadline: 30 November 2026
📍 Noordwijk, Netherlands · 👥 Master's level university students · ⏳ 3 to 6 months
The Optics Section internship at ESA's Mechanical Department in Noordwijk offers a choice of three topics, from machine learning in optical design to a simulator for the Vigil HI instrument. It runs three to six months and welcomes Master's level university students.
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2. 🇳🇱 Opto-Electronics Section Intern 🔭 ESA Mechanical Department Internship in Noordwijk, Netherlands 📡
📅 Deadline: 30 November 2026
📍 Noordwijk, Netherlands · 👥 Master's level university students · ⏳ 3 to 6 months
The Opto-Electronics Section internship in Noordwijk supports laboratory work on lasers, detectors, lidars and free-space optical communications. The placement is aimed at Master's level university students.
3. 🇳🇱 Propulsion Engineering Section Intern 🚀 ESA Mechanical Department Internship in Noordwijk, Netherlands ⚙️
📅 Deadline: 30 November 2026
📍 Noordwijk, Netherlands · 👥 University students, preferably Master's level · ⏳ 3 to 6 months
The Propulsion Engineering Section internship in Noordwijk supports the implementation of an innovative propulsion initiative, working directly with the Head of Section and the Head of Division. It is for university students, preferably at Master's level.
4. 🇳🇱 Robotics Section Intern 🤖 ESA Mechanical Department Internship in Noordwijk, Netherlands 🛰️
📅 Deadline: 30 November 2026
📍 Noordwijk, Netherlands · 👥 University students, preferably Master's level · ⏳ 3 to 6 months
The Robotics Section internship in Noordwijk places you with mechanical, electrical, control and software engineers working on space robotics, from planetary rovers to orbital servicing. It is for university students, preferably at Master's level.
5. 🇳🇱 Thermal Analysis and Verification Section Intern 🌡️ ESA Mechanical Department Internship in Noordwijk, Netherlands 🛰️
📅 Deadline: 30 November 2026
📍 Noordwijk, Netherlands · 👥 Master's level university students · ⏳ 3 to 6 months
The Thermal Analysis and Verification Section internship in Noordwijk covers laboratory testing, new analysis methods and thermal analyses of instruments and satellites with ESATAN-TMS. It is for Master's level university students.
6. 🇳🇱 Structures Section Intern 🏗️ ESA Mechanical Department Internship in Noordwijk, Netherlands 🛰️
📅 Deadline: 30 November 2026
📍 Noordwijk, Netherlands · 👥 Master's level students, mechanical or aeronautical engineering background · ⏳ 3 to 6 months
The Structures Section internship in Noordwijk helps develop and analyse advanced structural solutions for spacecraft, in domains from structural optimisation and fracture control to vibro-acoustics and hypervelocity impacts. It suits Master's level students with a mechanical or aeronautical engineering background.
7. 🇳🇱 Thermal Control Section Intern 🌡️ ESA Mechanical Department Internship in Noordwijk, Netherlands 🧊
📅 Deadline: 30 November 2026
📍 Noordwijk, Netherlands · 👥 Master's level university students · ⏳ 3 to 6 months
The Thermal Control Section internship in Noordwijk covers thermal design and analysis with ESATAN-TMS, cryogenics, heat transport and thermal protection. It is designed for Master's level university students.
8. 🇳🇱 Aerothermodynamics and Flight Vehicles Section Intern 🚀 ESA Mechanical Department Internship in Noordwijk, Netherlands 🔬
📅 Deadline: 30 November 2026
📍 Noordwijk, Netherlands · 👥 Master's level university students · ⏳ 3 to 6 months
The Aerothermodynamics and Flight Vehicles Section internship in Noordwijk models and analyses the plasma plumes of electric propulsion thrusters and how they interact with vacuum test facilities. The placement suits Master's level university students.
9. 🇳🇱 Materials, Environments and Contamination Control Section Intern 🧪 ESA Mechanical Department Internship in Noordwijk, Netherlands 🔬
📅 Deadline: 30 November 2026
📍 Noordwijk, Netherlands
The Materials, Environments and Contamination Control Section internship in Noordwijk is based in the mechanical department and develops new test methodologies for the thermal properties of adhesives and potting materials used in space hardware qualification.
10. 🇳🇱 Life Support and Physical Sciences Instrumentation Section Intern 🌙 ESA Mechanical Department Internship in Noordwijk, Netherlands 🔬
📅 Deadline: 30 November 2026
📍 Noordwijk, Netherlands
The Life Support and Physical Sciences Instrumentation Section internship in Noordwijk is embedded in a team developing life support technologies for human spaceflight and In Situ Resource Utilisation, with a focus on sintering lunar soil simulant and extracting oxygen through molten salt electrolysis.
11. 🇳🇱 EnVision Thermo-Elastic Modelling Intern 🛰️ ESA Projects Department Internship in Noordwijk, Netherlands 🌡️
📅 Deadline: 30 November 2026
📍 Noordwijk, Netherlands · 👥 Master's level university students · ⏳ 3 to 6 months
The EnVision Thermo-Elastic Modelling internship at ESA's Projects Department in Noordwijk improves the thermo-elastic modelling of spacecraft and payload coupling for a Venus orbiter mission. It is designed for Master's level university students.
12. 🇳🇱 Antenna and Sub-millimetre Waves Section Intern 📡 ESA Electrical Department Internship in Noordwijk, Netherlands 🛰️
📅 Deadline: 30 November 2026
📍 ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands · 👥 Master's-level university students · ⏳ 3 to 6 months
The Antenna and Sub-millimetre Waves Section internship at ESTEC in Noordwijk investigates either calibration of active phased array antennas or the design of reconfigurable active arrays with nulling for LEO constellation ground stations. It welcomes Master's-level university students with an interest in RF engineering and antenna systems.
13. 🇳🇱 Energy Storage Section Intern ⚡ ESA Electrical Department Internship in Noordwijk, Netherlands 🔋
📅 Deadline: 30 November 2026
📍 ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands · 👥 Master's-level intern · ⏳ 3 to 6 months
The Energy Storage Section internship at ESTEC in Noordwijk runs battery simulations across mission scenarios including launch, failure and end-of-life conditions, and helps refine Li-ion battery models for space applications through experimental testing at the section's own test facility. It is for a Master's-level intern.
14. 🇳🇱 GNC Systems Architecture Section Intern 🧭 ESA Electrical Department Internship in Noordwijk, Netherlands 🪐
📅 Deadline: 30 November 2026
📍 ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands · 👥 Master's-level students · ⏳ 3 to 6 months
The GNC Systems Architecture Section internship at ESTEC in Noordwijk adapts existing descent and landing simulators for the Enceladus L4 mission, designing a landing trajectory and tailoring navigation algorithms. It is open to Master's-level students with an interest in guidance, navigation and control.
15. 🇳🇱 Equipment and Technology Section Intern 📡 ESA Electrical Department Internship in Noordwijk, Netherlands 🤖
📅 Deadline: 30 November 2026
📍 ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands · 👥 Master's-level intern · ⏳ 3 to 6 months
The Equipment and Technology Section internship at ESTEC in Noordwijk offers a choice between applying AI to investigate compact atomic clock anomalies or training an AI model to improve THz receiver design. It is for a Master's-level intern.
16. 🇳🇱 Microelectronics Section Intern 🔲 ESA Electrical Department Internship in Noordwijk, Netherlands 🤖
📅 Deadline: 30 November 2026
📍 ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands · 👥 Master's-level intern · ⏳ 3 to 6 months
The Microelectronics Section internship at ESTEC in Noordwijk applies AI to the design of space-grade FPGAs and ASICs, through AI-assisted verification for digital space systems or AI-driven integration of FPGA intellectual property blocks, with outcomes deployed on the section's own FPGA farm. It is for a Master's-level intern.
17. 🇳🇱 Wave Interaction and Propagation Section Intern 🛰️ ESA Electrical Department Internship in Noordwijk, Netherlands 🔭
📅 Deadline: 30 November 2026
📍 ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands · 👥 Master's-level intern · ⏳ 3 to 6 months
The Wave Interaction and Propagation Section internship at ESTEC in Noordwijk supports the FORUM far-infrared Earth observation mission, using the section's end-to-end simulator to assess Level 1 product performance and run sensitivity studies. It is for a Master's-level intern.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the ESA engineering internships in Noordwijk, Netherlands?
The ESA internships in Noordwijk are mainly for Master's level university students. Of the 17 listings, 13 name Master's level students directly, and the Propulsion Engineering and Robotics listings are for university students, preferably at Master's level. The Structures Section listing asks for a mechanical or aeronautical engineering background, while the Antenna and GNC listings mention an interest in RF engineering or in guidance, navigation and control. Each listing is open to applicants from 27 to 31 countries, depending on the call. Before you submit, read how to apply for a step-by-step overview.
When is the deadline for the ESA internships in Noordwijk, Netherlands?
All 17 ESA internships in Noordwijk close on 30 November 2026. The date is the same for the 10 Mechanical Department listings, the 1 Projects Department listing and the 6 Electrical Department listings, so no section closes earlier than another. Because the deadline is shared, you can compare the sections and choose the topic that fits your studies, from optics and robotics to batteries, antennas and Earth observation. A clear Europass CV helps you present your studies and project work in a format that is easy to read.
How long do the ESA internships in Noordwijk, Netherlands last?
Most ESA internships in Noordwijk last three to six months. Of the 17 listings, 15 state a duration of three to six months, across the Mechanical, Electrical and Projects Departments. For the Materials, Environments and Contamination Control listing and the Life Support and Physical Sciences Instrumentation listing, check the duration on the listing page before you apply. Six of the Electrical Department placements are based at ESTEC in Noordwijk. For practical advice on preparing a strong submission, see these application tips.
The batch falls into three groups: optics, propulsion, robotics, thermal, structures, materials and life support work in the Mechanical Department, Venus mission modelling in the Projects Department, and antennas, batteries, GNC, AI and Earth observation in the Electrical Department. According to Youth Works Hub's review of the 17 listings, every Electrical Department call is based at ESTEC. To see what a placement like this can add to your path, read about career development.
Youth Works Hub gathers internships like these in one place, and you can read how we verify opportunities before applying. Pick the section that fits your studies and apply through its listing.
