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

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Position Title: Intern in the ESTRACK Stations and Infrastructure Section, Mission Operations Department
Location: Darmstadt
Country: Germany
Deadline Date: 15 December 2024 23:59 CET/CEST

Job Details

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, focusing on various aspects of space exploration, satellite technology, and Earth observation. ESA's mission is to provide Europe with a space capability and to foster international cooperation in space exploration and research.

Job Overview:
The internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position is located at the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Darmstadt, Germany, within the Directorate of Operations. The intern will work under the direct authority of the Head of the Mission Operations Department and will be involved in enhancing the engineer and operator experience with the Central Station Management and Control System (CSMC) Man-Machine Interface (MMI). The main objective of this internship is to modernize and improve the usability of the CSMC software, which is crucial for automated operations at the Kiruna Station. The intern will engage in various activities, including familiarizing themselves with the necessary tools, evaluating the existing interface, proposing new designs, and implementing approved changes. This role offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in software interface design while contributing to critical software systems that support ground station operations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will be responsible for several key activities during their internship. Initially, they will undergo an orientation phase to familiarize themselves with the tools necessary for modifying the CSMC software. Following this, they will conduct an interface review to evaluate the existing interface and analyze the subsystems monitored and controlled by the CSMC. Based on their analysis, the intern will develop proposals for new mimic displays and alphanumeric interfaces, engaging with multiple stakeholders to ensure that the proposed solutions meet their needs. Once the proposals are approved, the intern will implement the changes and validate them to ensure they achieve the desired outcomes. Throughout this process, the intern will gain technical knowledge of ground station components, develop practical skills in software interface design, and enhance their problem-solving and communication abilities through real-world applications and stakeholder interactions.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must be university students, preferably in their final or second-to-last year of a Master’s level course. They must remain enrolled at their university for the entire duration of the internship. A good knowledge of English or French is required, and knowledge of another Member State language would be considered an asset. Experience with the Linux operating system and coding is also advantageous, as is familiarity with software configuration control tools such as JIRA and GIT.

Educational Background:
The position requires candidates to be enrolled in a university program, ideally pursuing a Master’s degree. The internship is designed for students who are in their final or second-to-last year of study, ensuring that they have a solid foundation in their field of study and are prepared to apply their knowledge in a practical setting.

Experience:
While specific prior experience is not mandatory, familiarity with the Linux operating system and coding is considered an asset. The internship is aimed at students who are looking to gain practical experience in a professional environment, particularly in software interface design and ground station operations.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is either English or French, with a good knowledge of one of these languages required. Knowledge of an additional language from another Member State is considered a valuable asset, enhancing the candidate's profile for this internship opportunity.

Additional Notes:
This internship is offered as a full-time position, and candidates must be nationals of one of the specified ESA member states or associate member states. The European Space Agency is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability, or other characteristics. The agency values diversity and aims to accommodate individuals with disabilities in the workplace. Applications are only accepted from nationals of specific countries, including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United Kingdom, among others.