ESA Graduate Trainee in Exploitation of Quality Related Data in ESA Missions
European Space Agency (ESA)
Intern Internship Close on 28 Feb 2026
Noordwijk, NL
Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
The Lead Quality Technical Authority reports directly to the Head of the Quality Department and serves as the technical reference for the Directorate in the domain of Quality. It is responsible for providing strategic technical leadership, coordination and expertise across the technical domains of Quality, Dependability and Safety, Materials and Processes, EEE Components and Quality and Space Debris Mitigation at system level. This includes ensuring a consolidated technical position and alignment among multidomain experts, fostering technical excellence, technology development and innovation, and promoting and overseeing knowledge management while serving as a catalyst for collaboration across domains and stakeholders.
You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int
Within the Agency and Quality Department, you will contribute to activities aimed at exploiting quality-related data across
the project’s lifecycle of ESA spacecraft, including design, development, testing, and in-flight operations. The traineeship
focuses on analyzing anomalies, nonconformances, and test data to improve understanding of system-level issues and to
support continuous improvement of standards, processes, and industrial practices.
The work will help address key strategic questions such as:
You will support a combination of technical, analytical, and coordination activities, including:
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook
You should have recently completed or be in the final year of your master’s degree in Technical or Scientific discipline
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
Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
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.
