Intern in Disruptive Resilience Technologies, Navigation Innovation and Support Programme

Internship Opportunity in Disruptive Resilience Technologies within the Navigation Innovation and Support Programme

Our team and mission

The Navigation Innovation and Support Programme (NAVISP) is dedicated to developing and supporting innovative solutions in positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) that support European industry and address real-world challenges. We work at the forefront of technology, helping economic operators to transform new ideas into practical commercial solutions used in a wide range of sectors, from transportation to finance or emergency services. Since 2017, the team has launched more than 400 projects, addressing everything from satellite navigation to secure and resilient PNT services and products.

As part of our group, you will contribute directly to projects that combine research, technical studies, and hands-on experimentation. We value initiative and fresh thinking. Your work will not only improve your technical skills but also have the potential to influence technology that matters on a European and global scale.

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic of the internship: Disruptive Resilience PNT Technologies

You will contribute to research that is essential for the resilience of navigation, positioning and timing products and services. You will directly support the third goal of ESA’s Strategy 2040, which places increasing emphasis on protecting critical space-based services and strengthening Europe’s position as a leader in security, resilience, and technological innovation.

You will be receiving assignments on the following topics for the duration of the internship:

• Threat Landscape Analysis: Conduct an in-depth review of literature, political news and technical reports to map the current and emerging threats to navigation, positioning and timing services. Examples include, but are not limited to, radio-frequency jamming and spoofing events, electro-magnetic interference, protocol-level-spoofing and cyber threats.
• Evaluation of Countermeasures and Technical Resilience Improvements: Investigate and develop possible technologies that could improve the resilience against threats. Some technologies NAVISP is already actively working on are: phased array antennas, artificial intelligence for anomaly detection, quantum sensors as robust alternatives, sensor fusion and low frequency PNT systems like e-LORAN. You will actively collaborate with our experts to ideate and develop new technologies in light of resilience.
• Laboratory Experimentation: Participate in the design and setup of experiments to simulate vulnerabilities and test new countermeasures in the Navigation Laboratory at ESTEC. You will have the opportunity to develop new prototypes.
• Aid in defining the NAVISP Element 1 (Innovation) Workplan for 2027: Document newly discovered vulnerabilities or emerging attack patterns identified during your research and experimentation. Contribute to the development of early-stage proposals for promising countermeasures that may be advanced in future program activities. Present your findings to the team and shape future research directions and technology development efforts.

Behavioural competencies

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

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.
• The following criteria would be considered assets:
  • Knowledge or prior experience in defence and security (including jamming/spoofing resilience, secure communications, or electronic warfare)
  • Knowledge and background in satellite navigation
  • Knowledge and experience in prototyping and lab environments

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

Applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, 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, Cyprus and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).