Intern in the Quality Department - Resilience, Navigation & Communication Product Assurance 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:

• Analysis of state of the art of product assurance and/or quality
• Analysis of verification and validation techniques and activities applied to AI systems development for space and critical systems
• Derive and propose Product Assurance or quality assurance techniques for space domain
• Derive and propose verification and validation techniques for space domain
• Identify techniques to improve security assurance of AI systems
• Assess feasibility of using AI tool (Xcert) for developing requirement baseline and recording verification artefacts
• Work with PA team on AI tool assessment

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 for entire duration of internship
• Languages: English (good kn…), French (good kn…)
• Key skills: Software engineering background, Knowledge of SW testing processes and tools, Basic knowledge of software quality assurance practices and techniques, Knowledge of AI Technologies and qualification of AI, Result Orientation, Operational Efficiency, Fostering Cooperation, Relationship Management, Continuous Improvement, Forward Thinking
• Eligibility: Nationals of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom. Must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware subject to European or US export control and sanctions…

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: Internship.

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

Hiring unit: Resilience, Navigation and Communication Product Assurance Section, Technology, Engineering and Quality Directorate.

Position details

Reference

1452883633

Last Verified

4 November 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Intern in the Quality Department - Resilience, Navigation & Communication Product Assurance Section at ESA based in Noordwijk (Traineeship). The vacancy reference is 1452883633.

Intern in the Quality Department - Resilience, Navigation & Communication Product Assurance Section

Job Requisition ID:21040

Date Posted:1 November 2026

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

Publication Method:External Only

Type of Appointment (learn more):Intern

Directorate:Technology, Engineering and Quality

Workplace: Noordwijk, NL

Location ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Our team and mission

The Resilience, Navigation and Communication Product Assurance Section provides Product Assurance and Safety support to all missions of the Resilience, Navigation and Communication Directorate where AI technologies are starting to be used and developed.

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Your work will consist of the analysis of the state of the art of product assurance and/or quality, as well as verification and validation techniques and activities applied to the development of AI systems for space and other critical system areas such as aircraft, automotive, train and nuclear industry.

The aim of your project is to derive and propose Product Assurance or quality assurance techniques and verification and validation techniques to be used in the space domain. Identification of possible techniques to improve the security assurance of such systems is considered a plus.

Additionally, you will work with the PA team to assess the feasibility of using an AI tool (Xcert) for developing the requirement baseline and recording the verification artefacts.

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation Operational Efficiency Fostering Cooperation Relationship Management Continuous Improvement Forward Thinking

For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

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.

You should also have:

- software engineering background; - knowledge of SW testing processes and tools; - basic knowledge of software quality assurance practices and techniques; - knowledge of AI Technologies and qualification of AI; - basic knowledge of Security is an asset.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.

At the Agency we value diversity, and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email [email protected].

Important Information and Disclaimer During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests.

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding internship conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.

Nationality

Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

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Application timeline

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