Job Requisition ID: 20904

Date Posted: 24 September 2026

Application Deadline: 15 October 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication Method: External Only

Type of Appointment (learn more): National Graduate Trainee

Directorate: Controlling, Finance and Operational Procurement

Workplace: Frascati, IT

Grade Band: F1 - F1

The ESA National Graduate Trainee (NGT) Programmes offer recent Master’s graduates the opportunity to gain practical, hands-on experience at ESA across a range of space-related disciplines. The programmes are essentially similar to ESA’s own Graduate Trainee Programme, notably in offering the same employment conditions. They however differ in one important respect: each NGT Programme is funded by an individual ESA Member State or Associate Member under a bilateral partnership agreement concluded with ESA.
As a result, a representative of the sponsoring State participates in the selection process. In addition to assessing candidates against the requirements of the position, the selection may also include an evaluation of their background and knowledge of the space policies and related activities of the sponsoring State.

Location
ESRIN, Frascati, Italy

Our team and mission
The Head of the Business Unit Controlling and Project Management Support Office manages a team that provides the ESA Directorate for Earth Observation Programmes (EOP) with support for the Directorate’s overall human and financial resources planning, controlling, and reporting. The office provides project control and management support services to all operational units in the Directorate.

The team’s tasks include:

• controlling the activities of the Business Unit (BU) in accordance with the agreed financial and workforce targets;
• consolidating and maintaining short-, medium- and long-term plans, including budgets for all activities of the Directorate, as well as related schedules, cost, cash and commitment plans, workforce plans (staff and contractors) and procurement plans;
• monitoring and reporting at Directorate level on the implementation of the yearly plans covering both activities and resources and elaborating, together with project/line managers, corrective measures to respond to deviations from plans;
• maintaining information flow between line/project/programme management on controlling-related matters;
• providing project control services and management support to all departments, programmes, projects and operational units in the Directorate;
• acting as the main interface to the services in the Finance, Planning and Controlling Department and ensuring coherence of data;
• supporting the consistency, accuracy and timely closure of the Agency’s accounts, ensuring coordination within the BU of the provision of accounting-related information;
• coordinating the budget, cost and commitment ceiling scrutiny within the BU, including risk assessment, and monitoring the implementation of mitigation actions and the Directorate-level financial contingency policy;
• coordinating the Directorate’s implementation of the Agency’s industrial policy;
• supporting integrated project reviews;
• ensuring consistency and adequacy in planning/reporting working methods, in a manner coordinated with the Finance, Planning and Controlling Department.

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

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship
As a Luxembourgish National Graduate Trainee, your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• business controlling: providing data science and business analytics support for the Directorate’s controlling and programme controlling;
• financial and resource planning: supporting the Earth Observation Business Unit Controlling Office in financial and resource planning exercises;
• business analytics and processes: exploring and prototyping modern ways to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of business processes and analytics;
• data maintenance and quality: creating, updating and structuring master data to ensure accuracy and compliance;
• data governance and process: developing and enforcing the data entry model for standards, policies, and workflows;
• cross-functional collaboration: analysing and improving the link between IT and business departments to resolve data inconsistencies;
• automation: utilising and implementing digital solutions for master data operations.

Technical competencies
Knowledge of relevant technical and functional domains

Relevant experience gained during internships, project work and/or extracurricular or other activities

General knowledge of the space sector and relevant activities

Knowledge of ESA and its programmes and projects

Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation

Operational Efficiency

Fostering Cooperation

Relationship Management

Continuous Improvement

Forward Thinking

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

Education
You should have recently completed, or be in the final year of, a master’s degree in data science, industrial engineering, engineering management, economics or supply chain management.

Additional requirements
You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team. Previous experience of working in international teams can be considered an asset. Your motivation, overall professional perspective and career goals will also be explored during the later stages of the selection process.

You should also have:

• Strong analytical skills
• Strong knowledge in MS Excel and PowerBI or Tableau, as well as in one or more of the following: Python, R, SQL
• Experience with Machine Learning / AI is a distinct 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 at [email protected].

Important Information and Disclaimer
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working 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 and Languages
Please note that applications can only be considered from nationals of Luxembourg or permanent residents of Luxembourg with the nationality of an ESA Member State, Associate Member or Cooperating State.

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.

Who we recruit »

Recruitment Process »

What we offer »

Life at ESA »

FAQ »

Apply now »