Intern in the Ground Systems Engineering & Innovation Department - Disruption Tolerant Networking

Intern in the Ground Systems Engineering & Innovation Department - Disruption Tolerant Networking

Job Requisition ID: 21148

Date Posted: 1 November 2026

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

Publication Method: External Only

Type of Appointment (learn more):

Directorate: Operations

Workplace:

Darmstadt, DE

Location

ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany

Our team and mission

Our team develops ground-segment software for space communication systems and for the European Space Agency’s worldwide network of ground stations. We investigate, develop and validate new communication technologies that support reliable data exchange with spacecraft and between distributed space and ground systems.

Our activities combine software engineering, communication protocol development, system integration, simulation and operational experimentation. We also contribute to international standardisation and collaborate with other space agencies, European industry, universities and research organisations.

As part of the team, you will gain experience in an international engineering environment and contribute to technologies supporting future missions to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars and beyond. Your activities will form part of wider efforts to establish interoperable communication services for a future Solar System Internet.

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Space communication is often characterised by long round-trip delays and less reliable communication links. Communication links are typically planned in advance and are only available for limited time. Data rates on the individual links may vary between a few kilobits per second and several gigabits per second and a continuous end-to-end path may not be available. To overcome these challenges, Delay or Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN) communication architectures have been proposed and related communication protocols have been standardised for the space domain (Bundle Protocol, Licklider Transmission Protocol). These protocols are being implemented by ESA, simulated, and validated for various scenarios, including Earth Observation and lunar or Mars exploration scenarios.

As an intern, you will contribute to the following tasks:

• test and validation of protocol implementations and prototypes;
• deployment and validation of prototype operational systems on ground to prepare DTN communication experiments and demonstrations;
• support the execution of DTN experiments and demonstrations with external partners (space agencies, commercial entities, academia);
• depending on your interests, you could also be involved in areas currently under active development and standardisation, such as Bundle Protocol (BP) naming schemes, hybrid BP-IP networks or mission operations for DTN-enabled spacecraft.

Through this internship, you will gain substantial experience in ground segment software development at ESA, obtain a comprehensive understanding of space communication systems, and engage with advanced technologies for future networked space communications aimed at establishing the Solar System Internet.

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.

Experience with software development in Java, Rust or C++ on Linux is required. Knowledge and background in terrestrial networking (IP, TCP, UDP) or space communication protocols is an 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 [email protected].

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, 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. Applicants from Canada as a Cooperating State can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).

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