Intern in the Secure Connectivity Department - Payload Section

EU Satellite Centre (SatCen); Noordwijk; On-site; EUR 12,000 - 19,000; Full time

Job summary

ESA invites university students to apply for an internship in Noordwijk, Netherlands, focusing on payload engineering and system performance analysis for the IRIS-based Secure Connectivity programme. You may work on one of three topics, with exposure to advanced beamforming, multibeam nulling and on-board processing models.

The role offers hands-on experience in satellite communications, exposure to cutting-edge technologies, and a chance to contribute to EU security infrastructure.

Qualifications

• You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of university course at Master's level.
• You must be enrolled at your university for the entire duration of the internship.

Responsibilities

• Gain hands-on experience in payload engineering, system performance analysis and advanced satellite communication technologies.
• Contribute to one of the topics (Efficient techniques for area-beam beamforming, Multibeam nulling, Modelling telecom on-board processing and active antenna).
• Support modelling, analysis and benchmarking activities for the ESA Secure Connectivity programme.

Education

Master's level education

Job description

Location

ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Our team and mission

The ESA Programme Related to EU Secure Connectivity, hereinafter referred to as "Secure Connectivity", is intended to support the effective development and validation of the EU Secure Connectivity governmental infrastructure and the services provided through it, as well as the validation and demonstration of services based on the commercial infrastructure developed by the contractor(s) delivering the EU Secure Connectivity governmental infrastructure.

The Secure Connectivity programme has been established by the EU and ESA, with the objective of deploying an EU-owned satellite constellation for secure communications, called IRIS (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite).

Within the Space Segment Office, the Secure Connectivity Payload Section is responsible for all engineering tasks related to the design, development and deployment of the payloads of the secure connectivity space segment.

To find out more about our activities and how they fit within the wider context and future of ESA, visit: ESA Programme Related to EU Secure Connectivity - IRIS

Moreover, candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int

Field(s) of activity for the internship

You can choose among the following topics:

• 1) Topic 1: Efficient Techniques for Area-Beam Beamforming
  The objective of this topic is to investigate and evaluate advanced beamforming techniques for area-beam satellite communications systems. The study will focus on methods that improve coverage flexibility, spectral efficiency, and power utilization while minimizing implementation complexity and resource consumption.
  The project is expected to provide a comparative assessment of efficient area-beam beamforming techniques and identify trade-offs between performance, flexibility, implementation complexity and compatibility with the available technology in the currently developed secure communication satellites.
• 2) Topic 2: Multibeam Nulling Techniques for Resilient Satellite Communications
  The objective of this topic is to investigate advanced multibeam nulling techniques for mitigating interference and jamming in satellite communication systems. The project is expected to assess the applicability of digital beamforming and adaptive antenna processing methods to resilient satellite payloads and implement and evaluate the trade-offs between interference suppression performance, system capacity, coverage preservation, and implementation complexity, through modelling and benchmarking.
• 3) Topic 3: Modelling of Telecom On-board Processing & Active Antenna
  The objective of this topic is to model a telecommunications payload architecture comprising an active antenna and an on-board processor at block level, to support performance analysis, e.g. power consumption, heat dissipation, process efficiency. The tasks envisaged encompass the survey of active antenna and on-board processor architectures, identification of major blocks and interfaces, definition of a modelling architecture, modelling of blocks and implementation of use cases for model validation, including relevant waveforms. Correlation with hardware may also be included.

This internship offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of next-generation satellite communication payloads supporting the European Union Secure Connectivity programme (IRIS).

You will gain hands-on experience in payload engineering, system performance analysis and advanced satellite communication technologies that enable secure and resilient connectivity services across Europe.

You will have the opportunity to contribute to one of the above topics, depending on your background and interests.

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.

Knowledge and background in Satellite Communications and/or Radio Frequency subsystems are assets.

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.