Intern in the Independent Safety Office

Internship Opportunity in the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality

Our team and mission

This position is based at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) - Noordwijk, Netherlands

The TEC-QI Independent Safety Office is responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, and maintenance of ESA policies, requirements, standards, and providing functional support to ESA projects in the areas of:

• Human Spaceflight Safety;
• Space Debris Mitigation;
• Re-entry Safety;
• Nuclear Safety for applications in space.

The mission of the TEC-QI is to ensure the highest safety standards for ESA missions by enforcing clear safety processes, reducing risks, and protecting space assets, environment, and general public. TEC-QI aims to make sure all ESA activities are carried out with a strong commitment to safety.

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic of the internship: Human Spaceflight/Nuclear Safety

The Human Spaceflight/Nuclear Safety Intern in the TEC-QI Independent Safety Office will support the team responsible for ensuring safety standards and processes within ESA Human Spaceflight programs and Nuclear Power Sources Safety activities. The intern will be exposed to various aspects of the Safety Review processes, working closely with professionals involved in safety analysis and review. The role provides an opportunity to contribute to both the operational and promotional aspects of Human Spaceflight/Nuclear Safety within ESA’s TEC-QI office.

Scope of Internship:

1. Familiarization with Safety Review Process and Safety Requirements:

Gain an understanding of the ESA Human Spaceflight/Nuclear Safety process, requirements, and standards.

2. Participation in Safety Reviews:

• Assist the team in reviewing and assessing hazards, safety controls, and verifications identification for Human Spaceflight/Nuclear operations;
• Attend and document key discussions, decisions, and action items during Safety Meetings.

3. Preparation of Safety Promotion Presentations:

• Assist in creating informative presentations aimed at promoting Human Spaceflight/Nuclear Safety culture and awareness;
• Help visualize safety processes and lessons learned for internal stakeholders or external audiences.

4. Expanding ESA Human Spaceflight/Nuclear Safety Frequently Asked Questions Site:

Contribute to the development and expansion of the ESA Human Spaceflight/Nuclear Safety site by identifying common safety topics and providing guidance.

5. ESRP Database Management:

• Maintain and manage the ESA Human Spaceflight/Nuclear Safety database;
• Ensure that all relevant documents, reviews, and reports are systematically organized and accessible.

6. Lessons Learnt Database Management:

Support the organization and upkeep of the Lessons Learnt database by documenting new lessons identified from flight reviews and safety assessments.

7. Writing Human Spaceflight/Nuclear Safety Outreach Posts for TEC-QI Website:

• Draft articles or posts related to Human Spaceflight/Nuclear Safety for the TEC-QI website;
• Highlight key safety milestones, events, and ongoing projects to engage the spaceflight community.

8. Review of New Human Spaceflight/Nuclear Safety Documents:

Assist in reviewing and providing feedback on new Human Spaceflight/Nuclear Safety documents and templates.

9. Support in Coordination/Logistics of Safety Meetings:

Aid in the logistical preparation and coordination of Safety Meetings and various internal or external Safety Meetings.

Learning Outcomes:

• A comprehensive understanding of Human Spaceflight/Nuclear Safety protocols and the review processes involved;
• Practical experience in coordinating safety meetings and documenting essential outcomes;
• Hands-on involvement in managing safety-related databases and drafting outreach materials;
• Exposure to safety promotion and communication.

Behavioural competencies

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

For more information, please refer to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook.

Education

You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of a university course at Master’s level and you need to remain 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 Member State language would be an asset.

Other Information

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, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.

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.

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

Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, and Slovenia, as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia, and Cyprus as European Cooperating States (ECS).