Intern in the Mechanical Department - Robotics Section

As an Intern in the Mechanical Department - Robotics Section, you will contribute to the work of the Robotics Section at ESTEC.

• Location: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
• Type of appointment: Intern

Our team and mission

The Robotics Section provides functional support to ESA projects and carries out technological research and development (R&D) in the field of space robotics systems (from manipulators to autonomous vehicles) and laboratories supporting automation and robotics in crewed and uncrewed missions.

As part of our team of mechanical, electrical, control, and software engineers, you will contribute to the work of the Robotics Section at ESTEC, and in particular to the Automation and Robotics Laboratories (ARL), which consist of three areas:

• the Planetary Robotics Laboratory where the work focuses on the design of rovers for planetary exploration;
• the Human Interaction Laboratory which focuses on the collaboration of robotic systems and operators;
• the Orbital Robotics Laboratory which focuses on activities such as Active Debris Removal and In-Orbit Servicing.

Field(s) of activity for the internship

The laboratory you will be working in and the tasks you will be given will depend on your final qualification, interests and needs of the Section but will be in the form of the following:

• support industrial activities;
• the laboratory is hosting third parties for tests: the preparation of the facilities and the support provided by the section personnel are vital for this;
• research and development on novel robotics and autonomous systems: you are expected to maintain the knowledge in the field of the current robotics developments. Furthermore, you will conduct independent research and development on robotics concepts coming from internal ideas of the section. Such work includes concept designing, prototyping, testing to prove the idea viable;
• collaboration with third parties companies in the frame of hardware development and procurement: the ARL has a constant need to upgrade and adjust its inventory in order to support new activities. You will be intimately involved in this process by directly interacting with third parties to discuss concepts, and trade-off solutions in order to procure equipment or software;
• support relevant R&D activities or CDF studies when necessary: the section staff supervises a number of industrial R&D activities in all fields related to space robotics. You will have the opportunity to participate in reviews and otherwise support the activities as required.

Behavioural competencies

• Result Orientation
• Operational Efficiency
• Fostering Cooperation
• Relationship Management
• Continuous Improvement
• Forward Thinking

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.

Knowledge and background in prototyping robotic systems is an asset.

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.

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.