ESA Graduate Trainee in Cyber Security Engineering

Join the European Space Agency (ESA) as a Graduate Trainee in Cyber Security Engineering within the Directorate of Connectivity and Secure Communications (CSC).

Our team and mission

The Directorate of Connectivity and Secure Communications (CSC) supports innovation to boost the competitiveness of European industry in the global space market. This involves a wide range of activities, from space-based technology, systems and products for telecommunications development to the application on Earth of space-based services, requiring engagement with a wide range of industrial, academic and institutional partners.

Europe is currently developing its capacity for secure connectivity systems that will underpin most of the key value chains of the future in all areas, including transportation, health, energy and education. Systems need to be secured and resilient against cyber attacks to allow connected vehicles, smartphones and connected devices, supercomputers and edge computers to operate in a safe manner.

Under the direct authority of the Head of the CSC Security Office, you will contribute to the application of the ESA Security Framework and the relevant processes to all the relevant Directorate activities to ensure that the required level of assurance is achieved for each individual discipline.

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

As an ESA Graduate Trainee, you will have the opportunity to participate in the development of security within the Directorate of Connectivity and Secure Communications. You will be given the responsibility to assist the Information Security Officers and Security Engineers in:

• Developing security awareness within the Directorate, including the implementation of security risk assessments
• Performing regular training sessions for CSC staff and contractors
• Maintaining the CSC Security Portal
• Developing and maintaining reporting for CSC management regarding the improvement of awareness
• Raising awareness and reporting on cyber security, quantum technology, cloud and trusted AI
• Participating in security engineering activities in projects relating to cyber security
• Supporting satellite systems for safety and security design and implementation
• Participating in secure connectivity end-to-end system evaluation using new quantum, cloud and AI technologies
• Supporting the implementation of cyber security across the Directorate, liaising with ESA IT

Technical competencies

• Knowledge of relevant technical/functional domains
• Relevant experience gained during internships, project work and/or extracurricular or other activities
• General knowledge of the space sector and relevant activities
• Knowledge of ESA and its programmes/projects

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

You should have recently completed or be in the final year of your master’s degree or equivalent qualification in cyber security.

Additional requirements

You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and be able to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team. Previous experience of working in international teams can be considered an asset.

Important information

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

Nationality and languages

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

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.