Job Description

ESA Graduate Trainee in Earth Observation mid-size Spacecraft Platform Technology

Job Requisition ID: 20255

Date Posted: 1 February 2026

Closing Date: 28 February 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication: External Only

Type of Appointment: ESA Graduate Trainee

Directorate: Earth Observation Programmes

Workplace:

Noordwijk, NL

Grade Band: F1 - F1

Location

ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Our team and mission

You will join the Technology Coordination and Frequency Management section in the Future Missions & Instruments Division (EOP-FM) of the Earth Observation Programme Directorate (D/EOP). EOP-FM’s role is to prepare the Earth observation (EO) missions and technologies of the future, encompassing a wide range of scientific missions (Earth Explorers, Scouts), operational missions (Copernicus Sentinels and Resilient constellations together with the EU and meteorology missions together with EUMETSAT).

The work carried out is mainly related to the end-to-end definition of space missions, including system engineering, orbits and mission analysis, instruments, spacecraft platforms, end-to-end performance, data flow, launcher interfaces, and ground processing to meet the observation requirements. The definition is carried out in close cooperation with specialists in the different domains as well as with the scientists and/or data users proposing the mission or expected to use its result.

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

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

In particular you will perform some of the following supporting activities:

Identify technology needs, based on space system requirements and general technology trends, for future Earth Observation (EO) missions and programmes, where mid-size spacecrafts (100 – 500 kg) for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations are needed.
Support for the coordination of the industrial landscape involved in technologies for mid-size spacecraft platform sub-systems (e.g. data handling, AOCS, power, propulsion, communications), including spin-in approaches (e.g. use of COTS components, industrialisation) specially suitable for LEO constellations.
Contribute to the evolution of System Engineering Tools for preliminary analysis/sizing of future EO mission constellations, focusing on mid-size spacecraft platforms and its subsystems.
Support future EO mid-size spacecraft design and related mission preparation through internal studies and by participating in the evaluation of proposals in response to calls, reviews, and assessment of industrial results.
Use of simulators for data-flow architectures involving communications directly with the ground segment and also via InterSatellite Links (ISL) through Relay satellites in order to optimise the design of EO LEO constellations.
Establishing requirements for the evolution of the above tools and developing related simulation models and prototypes as needed, followed by their integration on existing tools and validation of End to End concepts.
Maintaining and improving the Earth Observation technology databases to facilitate internal coordination within the Division and Department and with external actors.

Technical competencies

Knowledge of relevant technical/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/projects

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 should have just completed, or be in the final year of your master’s degree in System Space Engineering, Electronics/Telecommunications Engineering or Applied Physics.

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.

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 contact.human.resources@esa.int.

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

According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States*. When short-listing for an interview, priority will be given to external candidates from under-represented Member States*.

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.

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.