Intern in the Quality Department - Software 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:

• Update the knowledge base and training material from the Software Product Assurance section
• Update the internal wiki page
• Update knowledge base based on new standards and feedback from the team
• Update training material to reflect new activities in the domain
• Adapt training material to new format

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
• Experience: Background in software engineering or computer science is essential
• Languages: English (good kn…), French (good kn…)
• Key skills: 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, and the United Kingdom. Must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware subject to European or US export control and sanctions…

Selection process

The notice describes the following selection steps:

• Selection tests may be requested during recruitment process
• Interview to explore motivation for applying

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: Internship duration not specified.

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

Hiring unit: Quality Department - Software Product Assurance Section, Technology, Engineering and Quality Directorate.

Position details

Reference

1452883233

Last Verified

5 November 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Intern in the Quality Department - Software Product Assurance Section at ESA based in Noordwijk (Traineeship). The vacancy reference is 1452883233.

Intern in the Quality Department - Software Product Assurance Section

Job Requisition ID:21039

Date Posted:1 November 2026

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

Publication Method:External Only

Directorate:Technology, Engineering and Quality

Workplace: Noordwijk, NL

Location ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Our team and mission

The Software Product Assurance Section provides support to ESA programmes and missions ensuring that software related requirements defined in the missions baseline are met. The Section ensures that appropriate processes, methods and tools used for software development are deployed through the entire development lifecycle.

The Section also offers services for software product evaluation for conformity, software safety and dependability and software process assessment.

The team in ESTEC consists of 14 people supporting the Software Product Assurance activities for projects across multiple domains, including Science, Human and Robotic Exploration and Earth Observation.

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

This topic of the internship is to update the knowledge base and training material from the Software Product Assurance section, including the internal wiki page. The knowledge base defining key aspects used by our team for our day-to-day activities needs to be updated based on new standards and feedback from the team. The section offers training courses to a variety of audiences. The training material needs to be updated to reflect the new activities in the domain and to adapt it to the new format.

Learning objective: Overall knowledge about the Software Product Assurance domain for space missions, based on the proposed activity.

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.

Background in software engineering or computer science is essential. Knowledge about software standards and tools 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 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 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.