Intern in the Future Missions and Architecture Department - EO Constellation Analysis Tool - European Space Agency (Noordwijk)

About this position

The summary below is published by European Space Agency on the official vacancy notice. Our own analysis — salary realism, comparable openings, career trajectory, language profile — follows further down the page.

Key responsibilities

According to the vacancy notice, the role centres on the following duties:

• Develop lifecycle simulation models for constellation deployment, operations and replenishment
• Develop algorithms to model how constellation performance evolves as satellites are launched, commissioned, reach end of life, fail or are replaced
• Develop optimisation methods to identify efficient deployment and replenishment strategies
• Develop models for launch preparation, commissioning times, spare satellite management and replacement policies
• Develop capabilities to estimate the launch cadence required to achieve and maintain specified performance objectives
• Implement the developed methodologies within a mission-analysis software tool
• Verify and validate the tool using representative Earth Observation mission scenarios
• Document the design, methodology and results of the tool

Are you eligible?

Check these requirements from the notice before investing time in an application:

• Education: University student, preferably in final or second-to-last year of Master's level course, with proof of enrollment for the entire duration of the internship
• Languages: English, French
• Key skills: Good understanding of orbital mechanics and space mission analysis, Python programming, Ability to analyse engineering problems using mathematical models and simulations, Familiarity with software development practices, Familiarity with optimisation techniques applied to engineering problems, Familiarity with engineering trade-off analysis and design space exploration, Familiarity with numerical methods and scientific computing applied to engineering problems, Familiarity with deployment, operations or lifecycle analysis of satellite systems, Familiarity with statistical analysis and Monte Carlo simulation techniques

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: Internship.

Hiring unit: Future Missions & Architecture Department – Mission and System Studies Section, Earth Observation Programmes Directorate.

Position details

Reference

1452876233

Last Verified

11 November 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Intern in the Future Missions and Architecture Department - EO Constellation Analysis Tool at ESA based in Noordwijk (Traineeship). The vacancy reference is 1452876233.

Job Requisition ID:21169

Date Posted:1 November 2026

Closing Date:30 November 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication Method:External Only

Directorate:Earth Observation Programmes

Location ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Our team and mission

You will join the Future Missions & Architecture Department – Mission and System Studies Section, which supports the preparation of future Earth Observation missions through mission analysis, system studies and architecture assessments.

The Section contributes to the evaluation of new mission concepts, the definition of mission requirements and architectures, the preparation of early mission studies, and the assessment of future Earth Observation capabilities. The Section also develops analytical methods, mission performance simulators and engineering tools to support the design and evaluation of future space systems.

You will work in a multidisciplinary environment combining mission analysis, systems engineering, architecture trade-offs and technology assessment to support the preparation of future Earth Observation missions and services.

Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website:http://www.esa.int

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic of the internship:Development of a Mission Analysis Tool for Earth Observation Constellation Deployment and Replenishment

Earth Observation is increasingly relying on satellite constellations to provide services such as environmental monitoring, disaster response, maritime surveillance and security applications. As these constellations grow in size and complexity, understanding how to efficiently deploy, operate and sustain them throughout their lifetime becomes an important mission-analysis challenge.

In this internship, you will develop a mission-analysis tool to assess and optimise deployment and replenishment strategies for Earth Observation constellations. The tool will model how a constellation evolves over time, including performance degradation, and determine the launch effort and cadence needed to maintain the required performance.

Your activities will include:

- developing lifecycle simulation models for constellation deployment, operations and replenishment; - developing algorithms to model how constellation performance evolves as satellites are launched, commissioned, reach end of life, fail or are replaced; - developing optimisation methods to identify efficient deployment and replenishment strategies; - developing models for launch preparation, commissioning times, spare satellite management and replacement policies; - developing capabilities to estimate the launch cadence required to achieve and maintain specified performance objectives; - implementing the developed methodologies within a mission-analysis software tool; - verifying and validating the tool using representative Earth Observation mission scenarios; - documenting the design, methodology and results of the tool.

Through this internship, you will gain experience in mission analysis, space systems engineering, satellite constellation operations, lifecycle modelling, optimisation, simulation, engineering trade-off analysis and software development.

The outcome of the internship will be a reusable mission-analysis tool supporting the assessment of deployment and replenishment strategies for future Earth Observation constellations.

Behavioural competencies

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.

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.

You should also have:

- a good understanding of orbital mechanics and space mission analysis; - experience with Python programming; - ability to analyse engineering problems using mathematical models and simulations; - familiarity with software development practices is an asset; - familiarity with optimisation techniques applied to engineering problems is an asset; - familiarity with engineering trade-off analysis and design space exploration is an asset; - familiarity with numerical methods and scientific computing applied to engineering problems is an asset; - familiarity with deployment, operations or lifecycle analysis of satellite systems is an asset; - familiarity with statistical analysis and Monte Carlo simulation techniques is an asset.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 11 November 2026, today.

The application deadline is 30 November 2026, 18 days from today. Late applications are not accepted, so submit through the official EU Careers portal well in advance.

Last verified against the EU Careers feed on 11 November 2026.

Where to learn more

For headcount, mission, and other open vacancies at ESA see the ESA institution page; for the cost of living, correction coefficient, and other postings in Noordwijk see our Noordwijk location page.

New to EU careers? Our beginner's guide walks through entry routes, EPSO competitions, and what to prepare. For application logistics see application tips and EPSO competitions.