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

Job Posting Organization:
The European Space Agency (ESA) is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to the exploration of space. Established in 1975, ESA has grown to include 22 member states and employs over 2,200 staff members. The agency operates across multiple countries in Europe and collaborates with various international partners to advance space science and technology. ESA's mission is to provide Europe with a space capability and to foster cooperation among its member states in the field of space exploration and research.

Job Overview:
The internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position is situated within the Inner Solar System Mission Operations Unit at ESA, specifically focusing on the flight operations of significant missions such as Bepi Colombo, Solar Orbiter, and Cluster. The intern will play a crucial role in automating the Mission Planning System for the Solar Orbiter Mission. This involves analyzing the current manual workflow, developing algorithms for automation, and validating the new processes. The intern will work closely with the flight control team, gaining hands-on experience in mission operations and contributing to the efficiency of mission planning tasks. This role is ideal for students looking to apply their technical skills in a real-world space mission context, particularly in the areas of automation and software development.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will be responsible for several key tasks during their internship, including:

• Collaborating with the Solar Orbiter Flight Control Team to understand the existing manual workflow for mission planning.
• Analyzing and identifying areas within the workflow that can be optimized for automation.
• Developing algorithms that will facilitate the operation of the Mission Planning System using the command-line interface.
• Testing and validating the newly implemented automated workflows to ensure they meet operational requirements.
• Documenting the processes and providing feedback for continuous improvement of the mission planning system.
• Participating in team meetings and contributing to discussions on operational efficiency and process enhancements.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must be university students, preferably at the master's level, and must demonstrate that they will be enrolled at their university for the entire duration of the internship. A strong foundation in programming, particularly in Python and Bash, is essential. Additionally, candidates should possess good analytical skills and a proactive approach to problem-solving. Familiarity with mission operations or space systems is advantageous but not mandatory.

Educational Background:
The ideal candidate should be pursuing a degree in a relevant field such as aerospace engineering, computer science, or a related discipline. A master's level education is preferred, as it indicates a deeper understanding of the technical concepts and skills necessary for this internship.

Experience:
While prior experience in space missions or operations is not strictly required, any relevant internships, projects, or coursework that demonstrate a candidate's ability to work with programming languages and automation tools will be beneficial. Candidates should be able to showcase their technical skills and any practical experience they have gained during their studies.

Languages:
The working languages of the European Space Agency are English and French. A good command of one of these languages is mandatory for the position. Knowledge of additional languages spoken in ESA member states is considered an asset, as it can enhance communication within the diverse team environment.

Additional Notes:
This internship is a full-time position, and candidates must be nationals of one of the specified ESA member states or cooperating states. The internship is expected to last for the duration of the academic semester, and candidates should be prepared to undergo selection tests as part of the recruitment process. ESA is committed to diversity and inclusiveness, encouraging applications from all qualified candidates regardless of their background. The agency also provides support for individuals with disabilities during the recruitment process and in the workplace.