Our team and mission

Within the XR-Lab, you will work with Virtual Reality tools for astronaut training and space exploration. 

The potential and current usage of XR (Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality) at EAC includes EVA training, robotics, and onboard ISS training applications. XR technologies enable the potential for incremental preparation, prototyping and tests of tools that support both crew and ground personnel to design, prepare or complement existing space training.
XR at EAC is also used in support of mission design for various missions (Low Earth Orbit, Argonaut on the Moon, Gateway around the Moon or Mars). When used in weightlessness conditions, XR hardware and software necessitate specific research, modification, tests or ground up design to ensure full realism, functionality and robust tracking in Zero-G conditions.

Therefore, the XR-lab is looking for an intern to further the development of an Unreal engine plugin that is used across multiple XR-project and functions as quick start for new ones. The plugin should be maintained and extended over the course of the internship.

The internship will be also focused on analysing the current tools and XR-Lab on-going projects, complement them (Unreal Engine based for MR/VR and Unity for AR) and create/modify relevant additional tools or models in close cooperation with the XR-Lab team.

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic of the internship: Unreal Engine XR-Gameplay and Tools Developer

As an intern in our team, you will take on the role of a gameplay and tools programmer. Your main task will be the development and support of the ESA XR Plugin, which is developed in an ongoing effort to harmonise XR development across the agency. The plugin already covers a variety of core gameplay programming areas, which are particularly valuable in XR applications, such as locomotion systems, object interaction, gripping, and multiplayer functionality. Many of our XR applications are used for astronaut training, and upcoming development will focus on creating instructor and annotation tools to unify and streamline development of our training software.

You will work closely with our team to improve the existing toolset and extend the functionality of the plugin. This internship offers the opportunity to gain insight into a wide range of our projects and to contribute directly to software that is used for astronaut training or is part of ESA’s public facing work. 

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 studying 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.

Essential Skills:

• Proven background of Unreal Engine development (UE4/UE5);
• Ability to work with Blueprints and knowledge of basic C++ programming;
• Interest in VR/XR development;
• Familiarity with version control (Git) and collaborative coding practices.

Desirable Skills:

• Knowledge of multiplayer development;
• Prior work on plugins, reusable tools, or editor utilities in Unreal Engine;
• Experience in 3D modelling, material development, and/or Unreal Engine's animation workflow;
• Experience in user testing and talking to a non-technical audience.