Intern in the Lunar Projects Group, Argonaut Program

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Position Title: Intern in the Lunar Projects Group, Argonaut Program
Location: Noordwijk
Country: Netherlands
Deadline Date: 30 November 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, including Earth observation, human and robotic exploration, and satellite navigation. ESA's mission is to shape the development of Europe's space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.

Job Overview:
The internship opportunity is situated within the Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in Noordwijk, Netherlands. The intern will work under the direct authority of the Leader of the Lunar Projects Group and the Argonaut Team Leader. The primary focus of this role is to contribute to the design, development, assembly, testing, and verification of lunar exploration missions, specifically the Argonaut missions. The intern will engage in various activities, including managing industrial contracts, coordinating mission-specific development activities, and liaising with other teams to ensure successful mission integration. This position offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in space systems engineering, particularly in the context of lunar missions, and to contribute to the planning and execution of future lunar exploration initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will be responsible for a range of duties, including:

• Executing all activities associated with the design, development, assembly, testing, and verification of the Lunar Development Environment (LDE) and its options, ensuring adherence to performance, schedule, and budget requirements.
• Managing Argonaut industrial contracts while considering industrial policy requirements.
• Coordinating the LSAP process management in collaboration with relevant teams if the RPS is selected.
• Overseeing mission-specific development activities for the Argonaut missions from phase A onwards, including CDF studies and technology studies up to TRL
• Liaising with the Lunar Resource & Infrastructure Team and Lunar Science Team for payload integration on Argonaut missions.
• Supporting the selection of Argonaut passengers and managing mission integration and operations.
• Contributing to the definition and implementation of cooperation agreements with NASA and other international partners.
• Selecting and procuring launch services for each Argonaut mission.
• Preparing launch campaigns and operations, utilizing ESOC and industrial operations capabilities as necessary. 1
• Coordinating the potential use of Lunar Pathfinder and Moonlight services and supporting the analysis of potential Argonaut evolutions.

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. Additionally, candidates should possess knowledge and background in system engineering and model-based system engineering, which would be considered an asset. A good understanding of project management principles and practices is also beneficial.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes being a university student, ideally pursuing a Master's degree in a relevant field such as engineering, aerospace, or a related discipline. The candidate should be in their final or second-to-last year of study and must maintain their enrollment throughout the internship period.

Experience:
While specific prior experience is not mandated, candidates with knowledge or experience in systems engineering, particularly in model-based systems engineering, will have an advantage. Familiarity with space missions or related projects will also be beneficial for the role.

Languages:
The working languages of the European Space Agency are English and French. A good command of one of these languages is mandatory, while knowledge of another Member State language would be considered an asset. Proficiency in additional languages can enhance communication within the diverse teams at ESA.

Additional Notes:
This internship is a full-time position and is part of ESA's commitment to diversity and inclusion. The agency encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability, or other characteristics. Applications from women are particularly encouraged. The internship is subject to European and US export control regulations, and applicants must be eligible to access relevant technology and hardware. Applications are only accepted from nationals of specific member states and cooperating states, ensuring a diverse and inclusive workforce.