Intern in the Future Space Transportation Preparation Department - Project Support - European Space Agency (Paris)

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:

• Support the FIRST! Propulsion Initiative including project management of ongoing projects
• Support open OSIP calls and preparation of open competition procurement processes
• Support the THRUST! Initiative including procurement finalisation and proposal evaluation
• Organise and support Future Access to Space Club events and maintain contact database
• Identify best practices and improvements in FLPP open competition procurement actions
• Conduct technical analysis of proposals according to FLPP criteria with focus on liquid propulsion
• Manage and update FLPP databases for technology evaluation and European space companies intelligence
• Support FLPP knowledge management and optimisation of project management processes

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
• Languages: English, French
• Key skills: Technical analysis of proposals, Project management, Database management, Knowledge of Technology Readiness levels, Knowledge of project life cycles, Knowledge of space transportation vehicles and propulsion
• Eligibility: Must be enrolled at university for the entire duration of the internship

Contract and working arrangements

Working arrangements: ESA Headquarters, Paris, France.

Hiring unit: Space Transportation Directorate, Future Space Transportation team (STS-F).

Position details

Reference

1452790333

Last Verified

3 November 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Intern in the Future Space Transportation Preparation Department - Project Support at ESA based in Paris (Traineeship). The vacancy reference is 1452790333.

Job Requisition ID:20970

Date Posted:1 November 2026

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

Publication Method:External Only

Directorate:Space Transportation

Location ESA Headquarters, Paris, France

Our team and mission

As part of the ESA Directorate of Space Transportation (STS), the Future Space Transportation team (STS-F, including the Future Launchers Preparatory Programme - FLPP) is leading the maturation of the required technologies, demonstrators and enabling capabilities for future space transportation systems. It is therefore responsible for:

- conducting system studies and establishing Technology Roadmaps based on strategy-driven guidelines; - supporting the assessment of the overall coherence of all technologies related to space transportation systems and products, including technology policy and harmonisation; - preparing new elements and follow-on activities of the Future Launchers Preparatory Programme (FLPP); - leading the implementation of the FLPP Technology Roadmaps, including the maturation of key technologies for future space transportation (Avionics & GNC, Structures, Materials and Processes, Propulsion and Modelling & Simulation) and the development of demonstrators (such as Prometheus and Themis).

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Providing project support in the Future Launchers Preparatory Programme, which leads the maturation of the required technologies, demonstrators and enabling capabilities for future space transportation systems. This includes:

- ​supporting the FIRST! Propulsion Initiative, including the project management of ongoing projects; supporting open OSIP calls (not necessarily limited to Propulsion but potentially also linked to other launcher technologies); supporting the preparation of the specific open competition procurement process for the next FIRST! Propulsion call including the preparation and review of procurement documents, organisation of internal meetings, evaluation of proposals, support to negotiation and project kick-off and subsequent management of projects; - ​supporting the THRUST! Initiative, including the finalisation of the procurement of the next THRUST! phase including organisation of internal meetings, evaluation of proposals, support to negotiation, and project kick-off (as necessary); - ​supporting the Future Access to Space Club - organisation of online and in-person events as needed; maintaining the contact database; performance/follow-up of specific actions identified during club meetings (as necessary); - ​identifying best practices and improvements in Future Launchers Preparatory Programme (FLPP) open competition procurement actions, with a focus on improving the connection between technology providers and primes; - conducting ​technical analysis of proposals according to FLPP criteria and procedures, with a strong focus on liquid propulsion; - ​managing and regularly updating FLPP databases, namely of technology evaluation/roadmapping and European space companies intelligence gathering, with a focus on new space companies in Europe with a significant activity in propulsion; - supporting FLPP knowledge management processes; standardisation, simplification, and optimisation of project management processes including use development and use of efficient tools for management and reporting; - ​participating in and reporting on launcher technology and research meetings and workshops in order to assess potential technologies and identify potential providers.

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.

Knowledge and background in space, specifically space transportation vehicles, propulsion is a strong asset.

Knowledge of Technology Readiness levels and project life cycles is a strong asset.

Knowledge of the European Space Transportation industry is an asset.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 3 November 2026, today.

The application deadline is 30 November 2026, 26 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 3 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 Paris see our Paris 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.