ESA Graduate Trainee in Space Transportation Technology Coordination

Job Requisition ID:  20484
Date Posted:  14 April 2026
Closing Date:  12 May 2026 23:59 CET/CEST
Publication:  External Only
Type of Appointment ESA Graduate Trainee
Directorate:  Space Transportation
Workplace: 

Paris, FR

Grade Band F1 - F1

Location

ESA Headquarters, Paris, France 

Our team and mission

The Directorate of Space Transportation’s mission is for European independent access to space. The Directorate’s main activities are related to the following:

  • Development and Exploitation of Ariane and Vega launch systems
  • Maintenance and upgrading of the European Space port (CSG) in Kourou, French Guiana
  • Development of new launch and space transportation systems, including reusable demonstrators

Within the Directorate, the Space Transportation Technology Coordination Office is involved in selected critical preparatory activities with the industry for enabling critical informed decisions by Member States on developing future European transportation capabilities, and has the mission of fostering transversal technology synergies across the Directorate and ESA, seeking shared and optimised technology roadmaps for Europe.

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

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

As an ESA Graduate Trainee, you will perform, support, and facilitate activities related to future preparation studies with industry, in the domain of Human Space Transportation (including associated Super Heavy Reusable Launch Systems) and Reusable Upper Stage Demonstrator. These tasks will include, but not be limited to:

  • Supporting to project management of industrial activities (reporting, actions tracking, risks assessment, planning…);
  • Participating to industrial system studies;
  • Assessing of compliance with high-level requirements (mission needs, performance…);
  • Supporting project reviews, in particular for technical and interfaces specifications;
  • Monitoring of technologies with low readiness level proposed for maturation;
  • Elaborating technical synthesis on critical and enabling technologies;
  • Supporting to road mapping for relevant technologies.

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 recently completed or be in the final year of your master’s degree in aerospace engineering or a related technical discipline.

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. 

You need to be capable to work with autonomy and to identify and propose substantial improvements with the aim of capitalizing as much as possible on new technologies and New Space approaches. You need to be familiar with modern IT tools and possess an analytical and problem-solving attitude.

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 Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia  as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia, Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).

According to the ESA Convention, staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the 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.  


At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.