Job Requisition ID: 21040

Date Posted: 1 November 2026

Application Deadline: 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 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 at [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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