Intern in the Infrastructure Department - Propulsion Tests and Services

EU Satellite Centre (SatCen); Paris; On-site; EUR 13,000 - 17,000; Full time

Job summary

European Space Agency (ESA) invites university students to join the STS-IF team in Paris for an internship focused on propulsion facilities and related tools. You will work on maintaining pre‑engineering and programme management tools, exploring AI applications to streamline activities, and developing a maintenance planning tool for test facilities.

The role includes exposure to real projects, demonstrations of new features, and interaction with ESA IT services to assess long‑term tool

Qualifications

• Must be a university student, preferably in your final or second‑to‑last year of a Master’s degree.
• You must be enrolled at your university for the entire duration of the internship.
• Working languages are English or French; knowledge of another ESA language is a plus.
• Knowledge of Streamlit, Python, AI, project management or fluid dynamics is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Topic 1: maintain, enhance and deploy internal STS-IF pre‑engineering and programme management tools.
• Topic 2: identify AI applications to streamline STS-IF activities and reduce admin workload.
• Topic 3: develop a Maintenance Planning and Prioritisation Tool for test facilities; record tasks and costs, prioritise activities, generate reports.

Skills

Python programming

Streamlit

AI

Project management

Fluid dynamics

Education

Master's student (final or penultimate year)

Job description

Location
ESA Headquarters, Paris, France

Our team and mission

The Propulsion Test Facilities and Services team (STS-IF), part of the Infrastructure Department, is responsible for the stewardship of ESA-owned propulsion test facilities.

The team ensures that these facilities, operated by industry and public-sector partners, remain fully operational and available to support current and future propulsion development activities. It is also responsible for setting up, managing and monitoring the contractual framework with the different facility operators.

Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int

Field(s) of activity for the internship

You can choose between the following topics:

1) Topic 1: Maintenance and Enhancement of Pre-Engineering and Programme Management Tools

You will contribute to the maintenance, enhancement and deployment of internal STS-IF pre-engineering and programme management tools by:

• maintaining and upgrading STS-IF internal engineering and programme management tools;
• ensuring that tools can be easily installed and operated on ESA workstations and, where appropriate, made accessible through web-based interfaces;
• improving tool robustness and compatibility with evolving Windows, Python and Streamlit environments;
• developing new functionalities and enhancing existing features/functions based on user needs;
• facilitating access to the tools for other ESA users;
• preparing and delivering demonstrations and presentations of new functionalities;
• assessing the feasibility of long-term maintenance of these tools by ESA IT services.

2) Topic 2: Identification of Artificial Intelligence Applications to streamline STS-IF activities

You will analyse STS-IF activities and develop proposals for the use of AI to improve efficiency and reduce administrative workload in areas such as:

• action tracking and follow-up;
• preparation of presentations and briefing materials;
• equipment price monitoring and market intelligence;
• automated generation of status reports.

3) Topic 3: Development of a Maintenance Planning and Prioritisation Tool for Test Facilities

You will design and develop a tool to support the management of propulsion test facility maintenance activities, including:

• recording main maintenance tasks and related cost estimates;
• prioritising activities based on operational needs and available resources;
• generating summaries and management reporting to support decision-making.

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.

Following skills are considered an advantage:

• Python programming;
• knowledge of Streamlit;
• knowledge of AI;
• knowledge of project management;
• knowledge of fluid dynamics.

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.