Intern in the Solar System & Exploration Missions Division, Mission Operations Department

Job Requisition ID: 18955

Application Deadline: 30 November 2024 23:59 CET/CEST

Establishment: ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany

Directorate: Directorate of Operations

Publication: External Only

Type of Contract: Intern

Date Posted: 1 November 2024

Internship Opportunity in the Directorate of Operations.

Location
Darmstadt
Our team and mission
This position is based at the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) - Darmstadt, Germany

Under the direct authority of the Head of the Mission Operations Department, the Head of the Solar System and Exploration Missions Division is responsible for the ground segment and mission operations implementation for the ESA scientific missions that travel in interplanetary space and for all the exploration missions. The responsibilities of the Division start typically from Phase B through in-flight commissioning to routine mission operations until end of mission. The Head of Division acts as the OPS interface to the ESA Project (and later Mission) Manager of these missions and carries responsibility for all technical, financial and schedule aspects of the ground segment and operations implementation and execution. The Head of Division is responsible for directing and executing flight operations in all mission phases, in particular acting as Flight Operations Director for pre-flight simulations, for Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) and for critical and commissioning phase operations.

The Head of Division is responsible for coordinating the operations definition phase activities for ESA mission candidates in phase 0 or in phase A/B1. This is performed in conjunction with the relevant operations divisions in OPS-O and ground segment experts in OPS-G.

The Head of the Solar System and Exploration Division also functionally reports to D/HRE in the role of Lead Operations Architect for the Exploration Programme. In this role, the Head of Division leads the Joint Exploration Operations Architecture Team, composed of members from the HRE, OPS and SCI Directorates.

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship
Topic of the internship: Development of Operations Support Tools

During your internship, you will be assigned to the Solar System & Exploration Missions Division which is responsible for operating the spacecraft of the Agency’s interplanetary fleet. Your assignment will focus primarily on the creation and extension of web-based operations tools which will support the flight control teams and spacecraft controllers in the execution of their daily work. In particular, you will design and develop backend functionalities for the retrieval, processing and generation of operational planning information and spacecraft configuration data as well as frontend features for appropriate visualisation and modification of said data.

This will involve tasks such as:

• Assessment of relevant existing tools and functionalities within the division;
• Collection of user requirements;
• Devising a concept and software architecture to support the identified requirements;
• Implementation of the identified solution(s).

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 a university course at Master’s level and you need to remain 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 Member State language would be an asset.

Knowledge and background in the following areas would be an asset:

• Python, Javascript or other programming languages;
• Back-end development, e.g. Django;
• Front-end development, e.g. Angular;
• Web Server Architecture;
• REST APIs.

Other information
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, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.

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].

Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia, as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Cyprus as European Cooperating States (ECS).

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