Intern in the Galileo and EGNOS Programme Department - Artificial Intelligence - 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 artificial intelligence applications to support review of software deliveries, including software quality assessment, source code analysis and security checks
• Evaluate emerging artificial intelligence models, tools and techniques to determine their suitability and performance
• Identify opportunities to improve ways of working through intelligent assistants and autonomous software agents, and propose innovative approaches to increase team productivity

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 entire internship duration
• Languages: English (good kn…), French (good kn…)
• Key skills: Artificial intelligence technologies, Software engineering, Agentic artificial intelligence, Secure software development and deployment practices, Technical communication to technical and non-technical audiences

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: Internship.

Working arrangements: On-site.

Hiring unit: Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity Directorate, Galileo and EGNOS Programme Department.

Position details

Reference

1452922033

Last Verified

6 November 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Intern in the Galileo and EGNOS Programme Department - Artificial Intelligence at ESA based in Noordwijk (Traineeship). The vacancy reference is 1452922033.

Job Requisition ID:20994

Date Posted:1 November 2026

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

Publication Method:External Only

Directorate:Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity

Location ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Our team and mission

Galileo is the European Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), providing highly accurate and autonomous Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) services under civilian control. It includes multiple services such as the classic Open Service, High Accuracy Service, Search and Rescue Service and new development such as the Emergency Warning Satellite System, Return Link Service, and the Timing Service Message. The programme is overseen by the European Commission, with ESA responsible for development, deployment, and system design.

The Galileo ground segment is the network of facilities and systems on Earth that enable the operation, control, and maintenance of the satellite constellation and its services. It includes the mission control infrastructure responsible for managing satellite operations and ensuring precise orbit and timing determination, as well as the system that processes navigation signals and generates data for user positioning. The ground segment also comprises a global network of sensor stations that continuously monitor the signals transmitted by the satellites, uplink stations that send updated navigation data and commands to the spacecraft, and additional facilities that provide security, system integrity, and service performance monitoring. Together, these elements ensure the reliability, accuracy, and availability of Galileo services worldwide.

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

You will join an engineering team working at the heart of one of Europe's most advanced satellite navigation ground infrastructures. As an intern, you will contribute to the adoption of artificial intelligence technologies within a real engineering environment. You will investigate how artificial intelligence can improve software validation activities, enhance engineering efficiency and support better decision-making across the team.

As an intern, you will have the following tasks:

- developing artificial intelligence applications to support the review of software deliveries, including software quality assessment, source code analysis and security checks; - evaluating emerging artificial intelligence models, tools and techniques to determine their suitability and performance; - identifying opportunities to improve ways of working through intelligent assistants and autonomous software agents, and proposing innovative approaches to increase team productivity.

During your internship, you will gain practical experience in:

- applying artificial intelligence technologies in a professional engineering environment; - secure software development and deployment practices; - evaluating emerging artificial intelligence models and technologies; - communicating technical findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.

This internship offers a unique opportunity to engage with cutting-edge technologies while contributing to the future adoption of artificial intelligence in a large-scale operational environment. You will collaborate with experienced engineers, gain exposure to real-world challenges and help shape innovative ways of working through the responsible use of artificial intelligence.

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 software engineering and agentic artificial intelligence are assets.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 2 November 2026, 5 days ago.

The application deadline is 30 November 2026, 21 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 6 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.