Intern in the Ground Systems Engineering & Innovation Department - Security Engineering - 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:

• Explore application of next-generation cryptographic technologies to secure future space communications
• Design and implement post-quantum cryptographic algorithms
• Analyze security and performance trade-offs in resource-constrained environments
• Investigate implementation security aspects such as side-channel and fault-injection attacks
• Contribute to security analyses, software development, or international standardization
• Design and prototype Mission Control System agnostic interface for data archiving and dissemination services
• Define common information models, APIs, and interaction patterns for mission control environments
• Implement and validate solutions within the Pulse ecosystem using AI-assisted software engineering approaches

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 enrolled at university for entire duration of internship
• Languages: English, French
• Key skills: System and software security engineering, Security risk analysis, Network security, Secure communication protocols, Basic cryptography

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: Internship (duration not specified).

Working arrangements: ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany.

Hiring unit: Ground Systems Engineering & Innovation Department.

Position details

Reference

1452807933

Last Verified

5 November 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Intern in the Ground Systems Engineering & Innovation Department - Security Engineering at ESA based in Darmstadt (Traineeship). The vacancy reference is 1452807933.

Job Requisition ID:21139

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

​​The Ground Systems Engineering and Innovation Department is responsible for all the ground systems engineering and support activities required to support mission operations and implement innovation.

​The Department maintains and manages a full level of competences, technologies and services in all engineering disciplines related to ground systems, infrastructure, technology evolution and Engineering R&T and innovation.

​The Department provides expert support in these areas to the Directorate of Operations for all current and potential missions and leads, in the role of architect, ground systems evolution and innovation implementation in the infrastructure and to other ESA programmes.

​The Department is furthermore responsible for the overall technical innovation and technical standardisation coordination for the ground segment.

​

​The Department is relying on the following domains of expertise:

- ​Ground Station Engineering; - ​Flight Dynamics and Mission Analysis; - ​Mission Operations Data Systems Engineering; - ​Navigation Support; - ​Multi-Mission Infrastructure – Ground Segment Integration and Testing.

​For further details, interested candidates are encouraged to visit:

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

You can choose among the following topics:

1) Topic 1: Post-Quantum Cryptography Research for Space

ESA is working towards a future Solar System Internet, an interoperable network that will enable secure and reliable communication across satellites, ground stations, lunar, and deep-space infrastructures. Space communications face unique challenges, including high latency, intermittent connectivity, and limited computing, storage, and bandwidth resources. At the same time, advances in quantum computing pose a long-term threat to many of today's cryptographic mechanisms, motivating an urgent, worldwide transition towards post-quantum cryptography. Ensuring that post-quantum security technologies can operate efficiently under the constraints of space environments remains an important research challenge.

In this topic, you will explore how next-generation cryptographic technologies can be applied to secure future space communications. This may include the design and implementation of post-quantum cryptographic algorithms, the analysis of security and performance trade-offs in resource-constrained environments, or the investigation of implementation security aspects such as side-channel and fault-injection attacks. Depending on your interests, you may focus on security analyses, software development, or contributions to ongoing international standardization. Overall, you will contribute to the development of resilient and future-proof security solutions for the next generation of space communication infrastructures.

2) Topic 2:Next-Generation Mission Data Interfaces for ESA Mission Control Systems

The Pulse project is ESA’s activity developing and operationalizing its next-generation system for mission control and mission operations preparation. It is built on top of the European Ground System Common Core (EGS-CC) framework, targeting a standardised, secure and automation-ready system that enables interoperability and European sovereignty.

This topic is about designing and prototyping a Mission Control System agnostic interface for data archiving and dissemination services, enabling seamless integration between operational systems and mission data repositories. The activity will define common information models, APIs, and interaction patterns that can be adopted across current and future mission control environments, reducing system coupling and improving interoperability.

The solution will be implemented and validated within the Pulse ecosystem, leveraging modern AI-assisted software engineering approaches, rapid prototyping techniques, and stringent security-by-design principles. The technical activity will explore how intelligent development workflows can accelerate innovation while maintaining the reliability, traceability, and cybersecurity standards required for mission-critical space operations.

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 or academic specialisation in one or more of the following areas: system and software security engineering, security risk analysis, network security, and secure communication protocols.

Knowledge of basic cryptography is considered a strong asset.

Application timeline

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