Intern in the Mechanical Department - Robotics Section - 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:

• Support industrial activities
• Prepare facilities and support for third-party tests
• Conduct research and development on novel robotics and autonomous systems
• Maintain knowledge of current robotics developments
• Conduct independent research and development on robotics concepts
• Concept designing, prototyping, and testing
• Collaborate with third parties on hardware development and procurement
• Participate in reviews and support R&D activities or CDF studies

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: Knowledge of prototyping robotic systems

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: Internship.

Working arrangements: On-site at ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands.

Hiring unit: Robotics Section, Technology, Engineering and Quality Directorate.

Position details

Reference

1452884433

Last Verified

2 November 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Intern in the Mechanical Department - Robotics Section at ESA based in Noordwijk (Traineeship). The vacancy reference is 1452884433.

Job Requisition ID:21045

Date Posted:1 November 2026

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

Publication Method:External Only

Directorate:Technology, Engineering and Quality

Location ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Our team and mission

The Robotics Section provides functional support to ESA projects and carries out technological research and development (R&D) in the field of space robotics systems (from manipulators to autonomous vehicles) and laboratories supporting automation and robotics in crewed and uncrewed missions.

As part of our team of mechanical, electrical, control, and software engineers, you will contribute to the work of the Robotics Section at ESTEC, and in particular to the Automation and Robotics Laboratories (ARL), which consist of three areas:

- the Planetary Robotics Laboratory where the work focuses on the design of rovers for planetary exploration; - the Human Interaction Laboratory which focuses on the collaboration of robotic systems and operators; - the Orbital Robotics Laboratory which focuses on activities such as Active Debris Removal and In-Orbit Servicing.

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

The laboratory you will be working in and the tasks you will be given will depend on your final qualification, interests and needs of the Section but will be in the form of the following:

- support industrial activities; - the laboratory is hosting third parties for tests: the preparation of the facilities and the support provided by the section personnel are vital for this; - research and development on novel robotics and autonomous systems: you are expected to maintain the knowledge in the field of the current robotics developments. Furthermore, you will conduct independent research and development on robotics concepts coming from internal ideas of the section. Such work includes concept designing, prototyping, testing to prove the idea viable; - collaboration with third parties companies in the frame of hardware development and procurement: the ARL has a constant need to upgrade and adjust its inventory in order to support new activities. You will be intimately involved in this process by directly interacting with third parties to discuss concepts, and trade-off solutions in order to procure equipment or software; - support relevant R&D activities or CDF studies when necessary: the section staff supervises a number of industrial R&D activities in all fields related to space robotics. You will have the opportunity to participate in reviews and otherwise support the activities as required.

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 prototyping robotic systems is an asset.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 2 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 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 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.