Intern in the Ground Systems Engineering & Innovation Department - Disruption Tolerant Networking - European Space Agency (Darmstadt)

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:

• Test and validation of protocol implementations and prototypes
• Deployment and validation of prototype operational systems on ground to prepare DTN communication experiments and demonstrations
• Support the execution of DTN experiments and demonstrations with external partners (space agencies, commercial entities, academia)
• Involvement in areas under active development and standardisation, such as Bundle Protocol (BP) naming schemes, hybrid BP-IP networks or mission operations for DTN-enabled spacecraft

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: Software development in Java, Rust or C++ on Linux, Knowledge of terrestrial networking (IP, TCP, UDP), Knowledge of space communication protocols

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: Internship.

Working arrangements: ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany.

Hiring unit: Ground-Systems Engineering & Innovation Department, Disruption Tolerant Networking.

Position details

Reference

1452810633

Last Verified

2 November 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Intern in the Ground Systems Engineering & Innovation Department - Disruption Tolerant Networking at ESA based in Darmstadt (Traineeship). The vacancy reference is 1452810633.

Job Requisition ID:21148

Date Posted:1 November 2026

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

Publication Method:External Only

Location ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany

Our team and mission

Our team develops ground-segment software for space communication systems and for the European Space Agency’s worldwide network of ground stations. We investigate, develop and validate new communication technologies that support reliable data exchange with spacecraft and between distributed space and ground systems.

Our activities combine software engineering, communication protocol development, system integration, simulation and operational experimentation. We also contribute to international standardisation and collaborate with other space agencies, European industry, universities and research organisations.

As part of the team, you will gain experience in an international engineering environment and contribute to technologies supporting future missions to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars and beyond. Your activities will form part of wider efforts to establish interoperable communication services for a future Solar System Internet.

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

​​Space communication is often characterised by long round-trip delays and less reliable communication links. Communication links are typically planned in advance and are only available for limited time. Data rates on the individual links may vary between a few kilobits per second and several gigabits per second and a continuous end-to-end path may not be available. To overcome these challenges, Delay or Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN) communication architectures have been proposed and related communication protocols have been standardised for the space domain (Bundle Protocol, Licklider Transmission Protocol). These protocols are being implemented by ESA, simulated, and validated for various scenarios, including Earth Observation and lunar or Mars exploration scenarios.

​

As an intern, you will contribute to the following tasks:

- ​test and validation of protocol implementations and prototypes; - ​deployment and validation of prototype operational systems on ground to prepare DTN communication experiments and demonstrations; - ​support the execution of DTN experiments and demonstrations with external partners (space agencies, commercial entities, academia); - ​depending on your interests, you could also be involved in areas currently under active development and standardisation, such as Bundle Protocol (BP) naming schemes, hybrid BP-IP networks or mission operations for DTN-enabled spacecraft.

​Through this internship, you will gain substantial experience in ground segment software development at ESA, obtain a comprehensive understanding of space communication systems, and engage with advanced technologies for future networked space communications aimed at establishing the Solar System Internet.

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.

Experience with software development in Java, Rust or C++ on Linux is required. Knowledge and background in terrestrial networking (IP, TCP, UDP) or space communication protocols is an asset.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 2 November 2026, today.

The application deadline is 30 November 2026, 27 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 2 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 Darmstadt see our Darmstadt 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.