Intern in the Ground Systems Engineering & Innovation Department - Security Engineering

ESA - European Space Agency; Darmstadt; On-site; EUR 12,000 - 18,000; Full time

Job summary

European Space Agency invites a Master's-level student to join the Ground Systems Engineering & Innovation Department, Security Engineering, in Darmstadt. You will explore post-quantum cryptography for space and prototype secure interfaces for mission control data.

Qualifications include current university enrollment for the full internship, and strong interest in security engineering, cryptography, and space communications. English or French proficiency is required.

Qualifications

• Must be a university student enrolled for the entire duration of the internship.
• Good command of English (or French) required; knowledge of another ESA language is a plus.
• Knowledge of cryptography is considered a strong asset.
• Interest in security engineering and space communications.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to post-quantum cryptography research for future space communications.
• Prototype secure data interfaces for ESA Mission Control systems within the Pulse ecosystem.
• Apply AI-assisted software engineering concepts, rapid prototyping, and security-by-design principles.
• Support ongoing security analyses and documentation for ground systems.

Skills

system and software security engineer

security risk analysis

network security

secure communication protocols

Education

Master's student

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Intern in the Ground Systems Engineering & Innovation Department - Security Engineering

Job Requisition ID: 21139

Date Posted: 1 November 2026

Closing Date: 30 November 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

The Ground Systems Engineering and Innovation Department is responsible for all the ground systems engineering and support activities required to support mission operations and implement innovation.

The Department maintains and manages a full level of competences, technologies and services in all engineering disciplines related to ground systems, infrastructure, technology evolution and Engineering R&T and innovation.

The Department provides expert support in these areas to the Directorate of Operations for all current and potential missions and leads, in the role of architect, ground systems evolution and innovation implementation in the infrastructure and to other ESA programmes.

The Department is furthermore responsible for the overall technical innovation and technical standardisation coordination for the ground segment.

The Department is relying on the following domains of expertise:

• Ground Station Engineering;
• Flight Dynamics and Mission Analysis;
• Mission Operations Data Systems Engineering;
• Navigation Support;
• Multi-Mission Infrastructure – Ground Segment Integration and Testing.

For further details, interested candidates are encouraged to visit:

You can choose among the following topics:

1) Topic 1: Post-Quantum Cryptography Research for Space

ESA is working towards a future Solar System Internet, an interoperable network that will enable secure and reliable communication across satellites, ground stations, lunar, and deep-space infrastructures. Space communications face unique challenges, including high latency, intermittent connectivity, and limited computing, storage, and bandwidth resources. At the same time, advances in quantum computing pose a long-term threat to many of today's cryptographic mechanisms, motivating an urgent, worldwide transition towards post-quantum cryptography. Ensuring that post-quantum security technologies can operate efficiently under the constraints of space environments remains an important research challenge.

In this topic, you will explore how next-generation cryptographic technologies can be applied to secure future space communications. This may include the design and implementation of post-quantum cryptographic algorithms, the analysis of security and performance trade-offs in resource-constrained environments, or the investigation of implementation security aspects such as side-channel and fault-injection attacks. Depending on your interests, you may focus on security analyses, software development, or contributions to ongoing international standardization. Overall, you will contribute to the development of resilient and future-proof security solutions for the next generation of space communication infrastructures.

2) Topic 2:Next-Generation Mission Data Interfaces for ESA Mission Control Systems

The Pulse project is ESA’s activity developing and operationalizing its next-generation system for mission control and mission operations preparation. It is built on top of the European Ground System Common Core (EGS-CC) framework, targeting a standardised, secure and automation-ready system that enables interoperability and European sovereignty.

This topic is about designing and prototyping a Mission Control System agnostic interface for data archiving and dissemination services, enabling seamless integration between operational systems and mission data repositories. The activity will define common information models, APIs, and interaction patterns that can be adopted across current and future mission control environments, reducing system coupling and improving interoperability.

The solution will be implemented and validated within the Pulse ecosystem, leveraging modern AI-assisted software engineering approaches, rapid prototyping techniques, and stringent security-by-design principles. The technical activity will explore how intelligent development workflows can accelerate innovation while maintaining the reliability, traceability, and cybersecurity standards required for mission-critical space operations.

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

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.

During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.

Knowledge or academic specialisation in one or more of the following areas: system and software security engineering, security risk analysis, network security, and secure communication protocols.

Knowledge of basic cryptography is considered a strong asset.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness
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, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.

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 [e-mail] .

Important Information and Disclaimer
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests.

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

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

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.