Intern in the Mission Operations Department - Python Tools for Earth Explorer Flight Operations

European Space Agency - ESA; Darmstadt; On-site; EUR 11,000 - 17,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

ESA internship program

Exposure to real spacecraft operations

International team

Job summary

European Space Agency - ESA Darmstadt is offering an internship in the Mission Operations Department focused on Python tools for Earth Explorer flight operations. You will design and implement Python scripts and dashboards used in live mission environments, working closely with a global team of engineers and operators.

The role provides hands-on exposure to mission control systems and automation, with opportunities to contribute to safer, more efficient operations and to present your results to

Qualifications

• Must be a university student in your final or second-to-last year of your Master’s program.
• Ability to prove enrollment for the entire duration of the internship.
• Strong Python skills from computer science or engineering background.
• Good knowledge of English or French.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement Python scripts, tools and frameworks for routine spacecraft operations.
• Develop tools to automate recurring tasks and generate reports/dashboards.
• Package results into a reusable Python library with documentation and examples.
• Share results with the team through demonstrations or training sessions.

Skills

Python

Automation

Data processing

Documentation

Education

Master's level student

Job description

Intern in the Mission Operations Department - Python Tools for Earth Explorer Flight Operations

Location

ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany

Our team and mission

In this internship, you will become part of the Flight Control Teams responsible for flight operations of the FLEX, Biomass, EarthCARE, Swarm, and CryoSat missions at the European Space Operations Centre in Darmstadt, Germany. These missions are part of the Earth Explorer family, focused on advancing Earth science through observation of Earth’s key systems. The Flight Control Team is responsible for conducting day-to-day operations of these missions, working closely across ground segment and science interfaces to ensure that the missions deliver high-quality data to the scientific community. During the routine operations phase of the missions, the team develops and relies on a set of tools and processes that make operations safer, faster and more efficient, balancing reliability and innovation, while maintaining robust space and ground segment operations. As the intern in our team, you will join an international, collaborative and supportive environment. You will gain direct exposure to real spacecraft operations and experience how software, automation, and operational processes are used in a unique control centre environment. Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int

Field(s) of activity for the internship

You will design and implement Python scripts, tools and frameworks that support routine spacecraft operations and automate recurring tasks. Your tools will be used by the Flight Control Team in a live mission environment and will contribute directly to safer and more efficient operations.

The exact scope of the activities will be decided together with you, depending on your profile, interests, and the mission needs. Possible tasks include both development of new tools, as well as adaptation of existing tools to make them generic and improve harmonisation across the different missions. Example use cases include automating daily checks of spacecraft state, the generation of reports, and creating dashboards, as well as tools for modelling expected spacecraft states.

These activities will include extracting relevant data from ESOC internal interfaces, processing and validating it, and presenting the results clearly to operators. The resulting tools should be packaged in a reusable Python library with helpful documentation and examples. You will also share your results with the team through short demonstrations or training sessions. During your internship, you will learn about the mission control systems, tools, and interfaces used at ESOC. You will gain hands‑on experience in how satellite operations are planned and conducted during routine activities, with direct exposure to the Flight Control Team and the control room environment.

Behavioural competencies

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

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

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.

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

What you bring:

• Strong Python skills from a computer science or engineering background, with interest in automation and data processing;
• motivation to write clear, tested and well‑documented code;
• curiosity about space systems and the motivation to support real‑world operations through practical software;
• a collaborative mindset and readiness to iterate based on user feedback.

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.