ESA Graduate Trainee in Space Transportation Technology Coordination

ESA Graduate Trainee in Space Transportation Technology Coordination

Job Requisition ID: 20484

Date Posted: 14 April 2026

Closing Date: 12 May :59 CET/CEST

The Directorate of Space Transportation’s mission is for European independent access to space. The Directorate’s main activities are related to the following:

• Development and Exploitation of Ariane and Vega launch systems
• Maintenance and upgrading of the European Space port (CSG) in Kourou, French Guiana
• Development of new launch and space transportation systems, including reusable demonstrators

Within the Directorate, the Space Transportation Technology Coordination Office is involved in selected critical preparatory activities with the industry for enabling critical informed decisions by Member States on developing future European transportation capabilities, and has the mission of fostering transversal technology synergies across the Directorate and ESA, seeking shared and optimised technology roadmaps for Europe.

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

As an ESA Graduate Trainee, you will perform, support, and facilitate activities related to future preparation studies with industry, in the domain of Human Space Transportation (including associated Super Heavy Reusable Launch Systems) and Reusable Upper Stage Demonstrator. These tasks will include, but not be limited to:

• Supporting to project management of industrial activities (reporting, actions tracking, risks assessment, planning…);
• Participating to industrial system studies;
• Assessing of compliance with high-level requirements (mission needs, performance…);
• Supporting project reviews, in particular for technical and interfaces specifications;
• Monitoring of technologies with low readiness level proposed for maturation;
• Elaborating technical synthesis on critical and enabling technologies;
• Supporting to road mapping for relevant technologies.

Knowledge of relevant technical/functional domains

Relevant experience gained during internships, project work and/or extracurricular or other activities

General knowledge of the space sector and relevant activities

Knowledge of ESA and its programmes/projects

You should have recently completed or be in the final year of your master’s degree in aerospace engineering or a related technical discipline.

Additional requirements

You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team. Previous experience of working in international teams can be considered an asset. Your motivation, overall professional perspective and career goals will also be explored during the later stages of the selection process.

You need to be capable to work with autonomy and to identify and propose substantial improvements with the aim of capitalizing as much as possible on new technologies and New Space approaches. You need to be familiar with modern IT tools and possess an analytical and problem-solving attitude.

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