Intern in the Strategy and Transformation Office, Innovation Support

Support innovation strategies in the Space Operations Directorate.

This opening expired 7 months ago. Do not try to apply for this job.

ESA - European Space Agency

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Application deadline 7 months ago: Sunday 30 Nov 2025 at 23:59 UTC

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Overview

Support innovation strategies in the Space Operations Directorate.

You have:

  • Must be a university student, preferably studying at master’s level.
  • Enrollment at your University for the entire duration of the internship is required.
  • Good knowledge of English or French is required.
  • Knowledge of another ESA Member State language is an asset.
  • An engineering background is not essential for this position; MBA students are welcome to apply.
  • STEM background is an asset.
  • During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.
  • Candidates should demonstrate behavioral competencies.

Contract

This is a Internship contract. It usually requires 0 years of experience, depending on education. More about Internship contracts.

Location ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany

Our team and mission

Under the direct authority of the Director of Operations, the Strategy and Transformation Office is responsible for preparing and formulating strategies in collaboration with the Director and the management team, and providing the Directorate’s overarching coordination function.

The main responsibilities of the Strategy and Transformation Office, which works directly with the Director of Operations are:

Preparing and formulating strategies in collaboration with the Director and the Operations Directorate (D/OPS) Management Team. This includes:

  • formulating, communicating and evolving the Directorate’s overall strategy. Leading the Directorate’s strategy evolution.
  • establishing and leading the Directorate Innovation Governance e.g. through D/OPS-wide innovation cups.
  • coordinating the strategic planning and implementation of the Directorate Research and Technology (R&T) activities, in close cooperation with the relevant other ESA actors.
  • fostering the development and supporting the establishment of the Directorate’s strategic partnerships. Coordinating and fostering cooperation and exchange with academia, other space agencies, and industry.
  • developing the Directorate’s Business Intelligence, by monitoring and analysing the external and internal environment and overlooking the socio-economic impact of the Directorate’s business.
  • economic impact of the Directorate’s business.

Managing the Directorate’s governance process with respect to the Mission Operations Infrastructure (the overall system infrastructure that is required to operate space missions):

  • investment and Core Technical Expertise strategic planning and budget management.

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic of the internship : Innovation Support

You will work at the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC): the main mission control centre for the European Space Agency (ESA). ESOC’s primary function is to operate unmanned spacecraft on behalf of ESA as well as launch and early orbit phases. Moreover, ESOC plays a role of sole service provider and its resources are dedicated to mission operations. However, the current strategy is to remain at the forefront of innovation in mission operations and space safety to enable European space industry competitiveness on the global market. You will deliver 6 month project/s supporting this goal, whose aims will be defined depending on your skills.

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.

Engineering background is not essential for this position, as such, MBA students are more than welcome to apply. A STEM background 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, 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).

Potential interview questions

Can you describe a project where you played a key role in driving innovation? This question assesses your experience and capability in handling innovative projects. Focus on a specific experience where your contributions led to significant changes or advancements.
How would you approach developing partnerships with external organizations? This explores your strategy for fostering cooperation and exchange. Pro members can see the explanation.
Why do you want to intern at the ESA's Strategy and Transformation Office? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What strategies would you use to ensure continuous improvement in project outcomes? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Describe a situation where you had to analyze a complex problem. How did you approach it? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you prioritize tasks in a project with multiple stakeholders? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What is your understanding of business intelligence, and how do you think it can benefit space operations? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
In your opinion, what are the key elements of successful strategy formulation? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 8 months ago - Updated 7 months ago - Source: jobs.esa.int