Intern in the Missions Operations Department, Inner Solar System Missions Section

Location
ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany  

The intern will work in the Inner Solar System Mission Operations Unit, which is responsible for the flight operations of the ESA Bepi Colombo, Solar Orbiter and Cluster missions. Preparation activities for the ENVISION mission to Venus is also performed in the Unit. 

The Solar Orbiter Flight Control Team is composed of 6 Spacecraft Operations Engineers who are in charge of the flight operations of the Solar Orbiter spacecraft. Operations planning is performed with the Mission Planning System on a weekly basis, which consists of validating and uplinking a consolidated set of payload and platform operations requests. 

Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website: 

Topic of the internship : Automate the Mission Planning System for the Solar Orbiter Mission

You will contribute to the automation of the mission planning system of Solar Orbiter. The current workflow involves manual steps to prepare, validate, and execute planning tasks. In short, your main objective will be to streamline these processes using the command-line tool provided by the planning system. 

During your internship you will:

• be part of the flight control team of Solar Orbiter.
• analyze the existing manual workflow and optimize it for automation.
• develop the algorithm which operates the planning system using the command-line interface.
• test and validate the implemented workflow.

Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking

For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

You must be a university student, preferably studying 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.

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 python and bash is an important asset.

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 

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, 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, Cyprus and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).