Intern in the Mechanical Department - Mechanisms Section

ESA - European Space Agency; Noordwijk; On-site; EUR 6,700 - 11,000; Full time

Job summary

European Space Agency in Noordwijk, NL, invites motivated Master’s students for an internship in the Mechanical Department - Mechanisms Section. You will contribute to the design, analysis, testing and verification of spacecraft mechanisms, participate in R&D activities, and work with advanced tools in a hands‑on laboratory environment.

Applicants should be in their final or penultimate year, able to enroll for the full duration, and proficient in English or French.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or a related field.
• Strong interest in space mechanisms, design, analysis, and testing.
• Must be enrolled at university for the full duration of the internship.

Responsibilities

• Support design, analysis, simulation, and testing of space mechanisms.
• Contribute to feasibility studies and R&D activities.
• Assist in prototype development and hands‑on lab work in the TEC-MS/TEC-MSM framework.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across the agency.

Skills

English language proficiency

Strong teamwork

Education

Master's student

Pursuing master's degree

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

FreeCAD

SolidWorks

Abaqus

ANSYS Maxwell

COMSOL

ADAMS

LabVIEW

CABARET

RBS-DYN

OptiStruct

Job description

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Intern in the Mechanical Department - Mechanisms Section

Job Requisition ID: 21050

Date Posted: 1 November 2026

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

Directorate: Technology, Engineering and Quality

Workplace: Noordwijk, NL

Our team and mission

The Structures, Mechanisms and Materials Division (TEC-MS) is the centre of competence of the Agency in all areas related to Spacecraft and Launcher Structures, Mechanisms, as well as Materials and Processes.

Within this frame, the Mechanism Section (TEC-MSM) is the focal point for matters relating to the design, engineering and verification of space mechanisms.

This entails in particular responsibility for:

• overall mechanisms definition, design and engineering;
• mechanisms performance evaluation, simulation and analysis (including hardware tests where appropriate);
• mechanisms technology research and development (addressing areas such as tribology/lubrication engineering, tribology free and compliant mechanisms, mechanical components including ball bearings and gears, position sensors, electric motors, new/alternative actuation principles e.g. by using active/smart materials, …);
• mechanism and actuator drive and control concepts targeting higher positioning accuracy and/or lower micro-disturbances;

You will be given some specific tasks, which may include:

• critical review of design / analysis / simulation / optimisation / test activities / characterisation / validation (up to the correlation of analysis with test results) in the domain of space mechanisms;
• feasibility assessment of new mechanism design concepts;
• participation in the definition and implementation of R&D activities;
• participation in the project review process;
• participation in CDF (Concurrent Design Facility) studies;
• support of in-house research and technology investigations using hands‑on laboratory facilities.

In the frame of above-mentioned activities, you may have to use the following software packages: MATLAB/Simulink®, CAD design tools (such as FreeCAD or SolidWorks) or other more specialised software tools (such as Abaqus, ANSYS Maxwell, COMSOL, ADAMS, LabVIEW, CABARET, RBS-DYN, OptiStruct, etc.), with particular emphasis on:

• time and frequency domain performance representation and analysis;
• multi‑body system modelling and simulation;
• design (including topology optimisation) and FEM analysis of compliant mechanisms;
• electromagnetic system modelling and simulation;
• multiphysics modelling and simulation;
• ball bearing loading/strength and stiffness analysis;
• test data acquisition and post‑processing

Furthermore, you may be involved in development, design, manufacturing and test activities using and extending the test benches of the Space Mechanisms Hands‑on Laboratory Facility at ESTEC. You may also be involved in the prototyping of various mechanisms by utilising additive manufacturing capabilities available at ESTEC.

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.

Specific competence in one of the following disciplines will be considered an asset:
Mechanical and mechatronics engineering, with a good understanding of tribology, ball bearings, gears, electrical motors, sensors, smart materials and compliant mechanisms, as well as of instrumentation and testing of electro‑mechanical equipment.
Proficiency in the use of engineering software tools would be very helpful.

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.