Intern in the Mission Operations Department, ESTRACK Stations and Infrastructure Section

Intern in the Mission Operations Department, ESTRACK Stations and Infrastructure Section

Job Requisition ID: 19957

Date Posted: 1 November 2025

Closing Date: 30 November :59 CET/CEST

Publication: External Only

Type of Contract: Intern

Directorate: Operations

Workplace:Darmstadt, DE

Location

ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany

Our team and mission

ESA's tracking station network – Estrack – is a global system of ground stations providing links between satellites in orbit and ESOC, the European Space Operations Centre, Darmstadt, Germany. The core Estrack network comprises seven stations in seven countries.

Each station features one or more antenna terminals, each of which comprises a parabolic dish antenna and its associated radio signal processing equipment. Using the signals received from space, stations gather radiometric data to help mission controllers know the location, trajectory and velocity of their spacecraft.

Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website:

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic of the internship : Green ESTRACK

You will report to the Head of the ESTRACK Stations and Infrastructure Section in the Ground Facilities Operations Division. This Section is responsible for the maintenance and operational management of the ESA Tracking Network (ESTRACK).

As part of our growing commitment to environmental responsibility, this role will focus on analysing the environmental impact of ground station operations according with ESA Green Agenda initiatives. You will focus particularly in analysing data in terms of carbon footprint and providing concrete metrics and insights to guide future actions.

Key Responsibilities:

• review and Assess Sustainability Measures at ESTRACK Ground Stations.
  
  Evaluate existing sustainability initiatives and operational activities at selected ESTRACK ground stations, assessing their documented environmental impact, energy consumption, and effects on local energy grids. Analyse available data from past and ongoing measures to determine operational efficiency and alignment with ISO 50001 energy management standards.
• develop and Maintain Sustainability Metrics and Dashboards.
  
  Design and maintain metrics in alignment with recognized sustainability standards. These metrics will help track the effectiveness of initiatives and demonstrate the tangible benefits of adopting sustainable practices. Results should be clearly presented for both internal use and external reporting, showing the positive environmental and operational impact.

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 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.

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.

For this position you should have:

• familiarity with sustainability principles, carbon accounting, or environmental standards like energy management/ISO 5000.
• proactive, able to multitask and have strong self-motivation.
• good communication skills for handling a broad range of interfaces and the ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• a keen interest in sustainability, strong analytical skills, and the ability to work collaboratively across different technical and administrative teams.

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).

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