Intern in the Mechanical Department - Propulsion Engineering Section

Intern in the Mechanical Department - Propulsion Engineering Section

Workplace: Noordwijk, NL

Location: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Type of appointment: Intern

Our team and mission

The Chemical Propulsion Engineering Section (TEC-MPC), part of the Propulsion, Aerothermodynamics and Flight Vehicles Engineering Division, has the following tasks:

• provide technical support and consultancy in space transportation propulsion (liquid, including storable and cryogenic technologies, and solid propulsion) and spacecraft propulsion (various chemical propulsion technologies) to the Agency project teams responsible for the development of launchers and spacecraft, throughout all project phases;
• contribute to the preparation of work plans in the areas of space transportation and spacecraft propulsion in the Agency’s technological programmes, with a particular contribution expected on systems and new propulsion aspects;
• prepare and manage, from a technical perspective, ESA contracts for studies, experimental investigations, and engineering development activities in space propulsion.

Field(s) of activity for the internship

You will be integrated into the ESA Chemical Propulsion Section, reporting directly to the Head of Section and the Head of Division. In this role, you will develop skills and expertise while supporting the team in implementing the Innovative Propulsion Cross-Cutting Initiative (ESA IP-CCI) through technical and personal development in the following areas:

• contributing to the development of key ESA technologies, including monitoring progress and updating the IP-CCI technology roadmaps;
• conducting comprehensive assessments of European R&D activities related to IP-CCI topics;
• supporting the Division in implementing activities approved at the ESA Ministerial Conference 2025 (CM25), preparing internal performance indicators and supporting the preparation of ESA Ministerial Conference 2028;
• assisting with OSIP campaigns related to IP-CCI, including producing synthesis reports;
• contributing to corporate initiatives, such as workshops and conferences, to enhance the visibility of the propulsion strategy and its implementation to ESA stakeholders.

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.

You should also have:

• successfully completed a university course in aerospace engineering, with a particular focus on space propulsion;
• knowledge of space propulsion engineering, including propulsion subsystems and their interactions with, and impact on, other associated spacecraft/space vehicle subsystems;
• a strong interest in spacecraft and space vehicles, particularly those related to missions undertaken by ESA;
• a solid theoretical and historical understanding of space propulsion, combined with the ability to envision how future propulsion systems could operate and be integrated into spacecraft and space vehicles under development;
• knowledge of systems engineering would be considered an additional asset.

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

Applications are only considered from nationals of 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.