Intern in the Future Missions Department - NoovaMoon Project

European Space Agency - ESA; Noordwijk; On-site; EUR 12,000 - 19,000; Full time

Job summary

ESA invites university students to join the Future Missions Department at ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands for an internship on the NovaMoon Project. You will work in an internal R&D group focused on lunar and Martian navigation system engineering and performance analysis.

You will help analyze ongoing programs, contribute to payload areas, time transfer, signal monitoring, and differential corrections, and participate in hands-on lab work and test campaigns, with English/French as working

Qualifications

• University student in final or second-to-last year of a Master’s program, enrolled for the entire internship.
• Good knowledge of English or French; motivation for interview.
• Knowledge in satellite navigation, position estimation, signal processing; familiarity with Python.

Responsibilities

• Review time-transfer techniques and navigation signal monitoring strategies for lunar missions.
• Aid in developing ESA software tools and simulators, including SDR receivers for positioning and timing.
• Participate in hands-on lab activities to design and set up a testbed aligned with the simulation environment.
• Plan and conduct a test campaign to evaluate system performance in laboratory conditions.
• Document test approaches and results and present findings to the engineering team.

Education

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering / Space Engineering

Tools

Python

GNSS receivers

Software-defined radio

Time-transfer concepts

Job description

Intern in the Future Missions Department - NoovaMoon Project

Job Requisition ID: 20996

Date Posted: 1 November 2026

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

Publication Method: External Only

Type of Appointment (learn more):

Directorate: Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity

Workplace:

Location

ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Our team and mission

As part of the Future PNT Projects Division (RNC-FF), we lead the coordination of all Position, Navigation, and Timing contributions in the context of future lunar, Martian and Solar System exploration.

This is currently implemented through various programmes: Lunar Pathfinder satellite (which includes a GNSS demonstration payload), Moonlight Programme (which involves the development of a GNSS-like lunar constellation, in addition to communication services), NovaMoon Mission (which aims to deploy a lunar station at the south pole of the Moon to monitor and augment GNSS-like lunar constellations, provide timing services and perform scientific experiments) and the planned future MARCONI Mars-dedicated communication and navigation system (currently under assessment).

To support ESA's internal capability to follow up on these activities, the Division has established an ESA-internal R&D team fully dedicated to lunar and Martian navigation system engineering and performance analysis. This includes the development of specialised advanced exploration simulation models and tools, carried out in close collaboration with the ESA Technical Directorate.

As part of this internship, you will join this internal R&D group contributing to the analysis of on-going program activities and the development of future advanced PNT concepts for planetary exploration with a focus on the NovaMoon mission.

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

This internship offers the opportunity to contribute to the NovaMoon mission, with a focus on three key areas of the payload: navigation signal monitoring, time transfer, and the generation of differential corrections.

Internship tasks

• Reviewing state-of-the-art time-transfer techniques, navigation signal monitoring strategies, and differential correction methods for lunar navigation missions such as NovaMoon;
• Contributing to the development of ESA software tools and simulation capabilities used to assess candidate models and processing approaches, including software-defined radio receivers for signal processing and positioning, navigation, and timing engines;
• Taking part in hands-on laboratory activities to design and set up a representative testbed aligned with the simulation environment;
• Planning and conducting a test campaign to evaluate system performance under representative laboratory conditions;
• Documenting the test approach and results, and presenting the key findings and recommendations to the engineering team.

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.

Assets

• Knowledge and background in satellite radio-navigation systems;
• Knowledge and background in position estimation and/or sensor fusion;
• Knowledge and background in signal processing, GNSS receivers and software-defined radio;
• Good knowledge of and experience with Python.

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.

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