Intern in the Galileo and EGNOS Programme Department - Hybrid and Resilient PNT Systems Evolution - 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:

• Review state of the art in GNSS evolution, multi-layer, fused and hybrid PNT, including ESA field-trial results, and identify performance trends and improvement opportunities
• Define or refine PNT concepts combining multiple orbital layers, GNSS, satellite communications, terrestrial and non-terrestrial 5G/6G networks, synthetic aperture radar signals and complementary sensors
• Develop simulations, receiver models, processing algorithms and performance-apportionment methods, exploring artificial intelligence and field-trial datasets
• Implement and improve user-receiver algorithms that fuse GNSS with signals from telecommunication or radar satellites, wireless networks, cameras, inertial sensors and other advanced sensors
• Set up and conduct simulations and laboratory tests using generated, recorded or live signals, then process measurements and assess positioning accuracy, availability, continuity, robustness and resilience
• Compare investigated techniques, document software, models, test configurations and results, and present findings, limitations and recommendations to the team

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; must be able to prove enrollment at university for entire duration of internship
• Languages: English, French
• Key skills: Python, MATLAB or comparable scientific programming environment, Satellite navigation, Signal processing, Estimation, Telecommunications, Sensor fusion

Contract and working arrangements

Working arrangements: Hybrid.

Hiring unit: Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity Directorate, GNSS Evolution Upstream R&D Implementation Office.

Position details

Reference

1452921133

Last Verified

3 November 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Intern in the Galileo and EGNOS Programme Department - Hybrid and Resilient PNT Systems Evolution at ESA based in Noordwijk (Traineeship). The vacancy reference is 1452921133.

Job Requisition ID:20991

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

The team, GNSS Evolution Upstream R&D Implementation Office, is responsible for defining, consolidating and implementing innovative technologies and supporting research and development for the next generations of operational systems for the European Union (EU PNT satellite systems).

EU satellite navigation systems are undergoing a paradigm shift towards multi-layered system concepts and architectures (e.g. GEO, MEO, LEO), while also leveraging synergies with other components of the EU Space Programme (e.g. IRISS, so-called Fused PNT concepts leveraging governmental satellite communications signals for PNT) to enhance the performance and resilience of PNT solutions.

If selected for the role, you will have the opportunity to directly contribute to shaping the future evolution of EU PNT satellite systems (e.g., future generations of Galileo, Egnos, and EU LEO-PNT). This role features unique opportunities to develop your expertise and take initiative while addressing cutting-edge concepts and technologies. It will give you the opportunity to develop your expertise in System of PNT systems, apportionment of performances among layers, components and systems contributing to EU’s future System of PNT Systems concepts, and the exploration of synergies with other components of the EU Space Programme to ehance future PNT capabilities.

It will also involve cooperation with diverse teams of the Directorate, involved in PNT evolutions at various levels (system, space and ground segments, future concepts, in-orbit demonstrations and user segments technologies, synergies with satellite communication systems), as well as with the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality, with access to world-class laboratories for PNT and satellite communications.

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

During this internship, you will contribute to a defined technical work package on hybrid, fused and resilient positioning, navigation and timing (PNT), selected according to your academic background, available laboratory equipment and the team’s priorities. Under the guidance of your tutor, you will have the following tasks:

- reviewing the state of the art in GNSS evolution, multi-layer, fused and hybrid PNT, including relevant ESA field-trial results, and identifying performance trends and improvement opportunities, particularly for indoor, deep-urban, canopy, obstructed, jamming and spoofing conditions; - defining or refining PNT concepts combining multiple orbital layers, GNSS, satellite communications, terrestrial and non-terrestrial 5G/6G networks, synthetic aperture radar signals and complementary sensors (e.g. vision); - developing simulations, receiver models, processing algorithms and performance-apportionment methods, exploring artificial intelligence and field-trial datasets to improve modelling accuracy and analysis of overall system performance; - implementing and improving user-receiver algorithms that fuse GNSS with signals from telecommunication or radar satellites, wireless networks, cameras, inertial sensors and other advanced sensors; - setting up and conducting simulations and laboratory tests using generated, recorded or live signals, then processing the measurements and assessing positioning accuracy, availability, continuity, robustness and resilience; - comparing the investigated techniques, documenting the software, models, test configurations and results, and presenting your main findings, limitations and recommendations to the team.

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.

The following are considered assets:

- a university background in electrical engineering, telecommunications engineering, aerospace engineering, applied mathematics, computer science, physics or another relevant discipline; - basic knowledge of satellite navigation, signal processing, estimation, telecommunications or sensor fusion; - experience gained through university courses or academic projects with Python, MATLAB or a comparable scientific programming environment; - a proactive and curious mindset, with an interest in exploring evolutions in space systems and an appetite for new concepts and technologies relevant to European space systems.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 3 November 2026, 4 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 3 November 2026 (4 days ago).

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.