Intern in the Galileo and EGNOS Programme Department - Digital Transformation
Noordwijk, NL
Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Our team and mission
Galileo is the European Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), providing highly accurate and autonomous Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) services under civilian control. It includes multiple services such as the classic Open Service, High Accuracy Service, Search and Rescue Service and new development such as the Emergency Warning Satellite System, Return Link Service, and the Timing Service Message. The programme is overseen by the European Commission, with ESA responsible for development, deployment, and system design.
The Galileo ground segment is the network of facilities and systems on Earth that enable the operation, control, and maintenance of the satellite constellation and its services. It includes the mission control infrastructure responsible for managing satellite operations and ensuring precise orbit and timing determination, as well as the system that processes navigation signals and generates data for user positioning. The ground segment also comprises a global network of sensor stations that continuously monitor the signals transmitted by the satellites, uplink stations that send updated navigation data and commands to the spacecraft, and additional facilities that provide security, system integrity, and service performance monitoring. Together, these elements ensure the reliability, accuracy, and availability of Galileo services worldwide.
Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int
Field(s) of activity for the internship
You will join an engineering team working at the heart of one of Europe's most advanced satellite navigation ground infrastructures.
This internship offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in agile task management and information exchange within a dynamic, multifaceted system. You will focus on adapting Jira, a robust task management tool, to optimise task management, enhance team collaboration, and streamline communication across various projects and teams.
As an intern, you will have the following tasks:
- analysing existing processes with their users to identify user problems and needs;
- defining and refining processes;
- creating and customising Jira, Confluence and other tool projects for those processes;
- exploring the use of AI in these processes;
- developing tools in very close collaboration with our stakeholders;
- making process information available through dashboards;
- continuously updating the projects and tools to improve them;
- providing direct assistance to process stakeholders.
During your internship, you will gain practical experience in:
- streamlining processes for the management of large and complex systems;
- optimising a essential tools for real-world applications, including JIRA and Confluence
- project management methodologies, including Agile and Kanban;
- effective communication strategies across multidisciplinary teams;
- AI-assisted software development.
Moreover, this role will help you develop problem-solving and analytical abilities as you navigate the challenges of managing a multi-project, multi-team environment while collaborating with experienced engineers.
This position is ideal for candidates looking to apply theoretical knowledge to practical, agile development environments and information systems.
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 university course 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.
- Python 3 language;
- Web Application development;
- Large Language Models usage, i.e. ChatGPT, Claude, Mistral;
- Knowledge and background in Jira and Confluence are assets.
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 ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int.
Important Information and Disclaimer
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests.
The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding internship 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
Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Applicants from Canada as a Cooperating State can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).