Intern in the Operations Strategy and Coordination Office - Innovation and Knowledge Management

European Space Agency; Darmstadt; On-site; EUR 8,900 - 12,000; Full time

Job summary

European Space Agency (ESA) seeks an intern to join the Operations Strategy and Coordination Office at ESOC in Darmstadt. You will help formulate and evolve Directorate strategy, support innovation governance, and coordinate R&T activities with partners from academia, space agencies and industry.

You will also contribute to Knowledge Management and Business Intelligence, supporting performance monitoring and the socio-economic impact of Directorate activities.

Qualifications

• University student, preferably in final or second-to-last year of Master’s degree
• Must be able to prove enrollment for the entire internship duration
• English and/or French proficiency required, knowledge of another ESA language is an asset

Responsibilities

• Support development of strategies and governance for the Operations Directorate
• Contribute to business intelligence and knowledge management activities
• Assist with coordination of innovation governance and partnerships
• Participate in ESOC mission operations context and related projects
• Support activities across stakeholder engagement and continuous improvement

Skills

Result Orientation

Operational Efficiency

Fostering Cooperation

Relationship Management

Continuous Improvement

Forward Thinking

Education

Master's student

Enrolled for entire duration

Job description

Intern in the Operations Strategy and Coordination Office - Innovation and Knowledge Management

Job Requisition ID: 21150

Date Posted: 1 November 2026

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

Publication Method: External Only

Directorate: Operations

Workplace: Darmstadt, DE

Our team and mission

Under the direct authority of the Director of Operations, the Operations Strategy and Coordination Office is responsible for preparing and formulating strategies in collaboration with the Director and the Management Team, and providing the Directorate’s overarching coordination function.

The main responsibilities of the Operations Strategy and Coordination Office, which works directly with the Director of Operations, are:

Preparing and formulating strategies in collaboration with the Director and the Operations Directorate (D/OPS) Management Team. This includes:

• formulating, communicating and evolving the Directorate’s overall strategy. Leading the Directorate’s strategy evolution;
• establishing and leading the Directorate Innovation Governance e.g. through D/OPS-wide innovation cups;
• coordinating the strategic planning and implementation of the Directorate Research and Technology (R&T) activities, in close cooperation with the relevant other ESA actors;
• fostering the development and supporting the establishment of the Directorate’s strategic partnerships. Coordinating and fostering cooperation and exchange with academia, other space agencies, and industry;
• developing the Directorate’s Business Intelligence, by monitoring and analysing the external and internal environment and overlooking the socio-economic impact of the Directorate’s business;
• economic impact of the Directorate’s business.

Managing the Directorate’s governance process with respect to the Mission Operations Infrastructure (the overall system infrastructure that is required to operate space missions):

• Investment and Core Technical Expertise strategic planning and budget management.

You will be based at the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC): the main mission control centre for the European Space Agency (ESA).

ESOC’s primary function is to operate unmanned spacecraft on behalf of ESA as well as launch and early orbit phases. ESOC plays a role of sole service provider and its resources are dedicated to mission operations.

Two of the challenges the Office faces are supporting the innovation culture in a high reliability environment, and the capturing and dissemination of the vast amounts of knowledge collected as part of this work.

You will enjoy supporting Innovation and Knowledge Management at ESOC, whose aims will be defined depending on the skill of the candidate.

• 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.

A STEM background is an asset.

Knowledge Management experience is an asset.

Due to the nature of the post, a commitment of six months is preferred, depending on the candidate’s availability.

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.

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. Applicants from Canada as a Cooperating State can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).