Intern in the Spaceship ECSAT team - European Space Agency (Harwell)

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:

• Contribute to ESA's exploration activities
• Work on disruptive technologies such as Virtual/Augmented Reality and collaborative robotics
• Investigate novel concepts in Space Resources/In-Situ Resource Utilisation
• Work on topics related to 'off world living' including human factors, design and concept illustration

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: Remote manipulation, Embedded systems, Machine learning, Virtual and augmented reality, Graphic design, Human-machine interfaces, Decision making, ROS/ROS 2, Unreal Engine, Simulink
• Eligibility: UK and Irish citizens, students enrolled in a UK university, or those with pre-settled status (right to study) in the UK

Contract and working arrangements

Working arrangements: On-site at ECSAT, Harwell, United Kingdom.

Hiring unit: Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration, Spaceship ECSAT team.

Position details

Reference

1452998933

Last Verified

11 November 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Intern in the Spaceship ECSAT team at ESA based in Harwell (Traineeship). The vacancy reference is 1452998933.

Job Requisition ID:21133

Date Posted:1 November 2026

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

Publication Method:External Only

Directorate:Human and Robotic Exploration

Location ECSAT, Harwell, United Kingdom

Due to the location of ECSAT and current UK legislation, only UK and Irish citizens, students enrolled in a UK university, or those with pre-settled status (right to study) in the UK are eligible to apply for this internship.

Our team and mission

​​The Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration (D/HRE) is the main ESA entity in charge of supporting and coordinating efforts towards the current and the future endeavours of human spaceflight. The exploration activities are part of the strategic plans in securing a central role for Europe with respect to the global initiatives. The strategy includes three destinations where humans will work with robots to gather new knowledge: Low Earth Orbit (LEO), the Moon, and Mars.

​

​The “Spaceship ECSAT” initiative is investigating low Technology Readiness Level (TRL) technologies for supporting the future cislunar space mission as well as surface activities on the Moon as part of the Exploration Preparation, Research and Technology (ExPeRT) team. This multidisciplinary, innovation-driven team composed of researchers, graduate and undergraduate students is based at the ESA European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications (ECSAT). The founding idea behind this initiative is to prepare the future of space exploration. To do so, a pragmatic and research-focused approach is adopted, and knowledge acquired is disseminated within ESA, partners and the relevant scientific community.

​Within Spaceship ECSAT, we have a number of fields where we carry out different projects. These fields are:

- ​demonstrating disruptive technologies such as Virtual/Augmented Reality, collaborative robotics and their potential use cases for exploration; - ​investigating novel concepts in the domain of Space Resources/In-Situ Resource Utilisation, to enable sustainable human exploration; - ​topics related to ‘off world living’, e.g. human factors, design and concept illustration.

​We are continually looking for innovative applicants with skills or interests in these areas to join the Spaceship ECSAT team.

​For more information on the Spaceship ECSAT, please look at the ESA blog (Spaceship ECSAT).

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: Robotics Our Spaceship team is always on the lookout for talented and motivated persons to join our projects and contribute to ESA’s exploration activities. The main areas in which the initiative is currently active are remote manipulation, embedded systems and machine learning.

2) Topic 2: VR/XR Our Spaceship team is always on the lookout for talented and motivated persons to join our projects and contribute to ESA’s exploration activities. The main areas in which the initiative is currently active are virtual and augmented reality applied to training, graphic design, human-machine interfaces & robotics.

3) Topic 3: Human Factors Our Spaceship team is always on the lookout for talented and motivated persons to join our projects and contribute to ESA’s exploration activities. The main areas in which the initiative is currently active are decision making and outreach with a focus on embedded systems, graphic design and human-machine interfaces.

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.

A background in robotics, computer science, electrical/electronic engineering, mechatronics, aerospace engineering or a related field (Topic 1), together with an interest in virtual and augmented reality, simulation, visualisation (Topic 2) and human–machine interfaces (Topic 3), would be an asset. Familiarity with tools such as ROS/ROS 2, Unreal Engine or Simulink, and an interest in their application to space exploration and planetary surface operations, would also be advantageous.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 11 November 2026, 1 day ago.

The application deadline is 30 November 2026, 16 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 11 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 Harwell see our Harwell 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.