Intern in the Mars Orbiting Missions Operations Section, Mission Operations Department

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Position Title: Intern in the Mars Orbiting Missions Operations Section, Mission Operations Department
Location: Darmstadt
Country: Germany
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 various countries in Europe and collaborates with international partners on numerous space missions. ESA's mission is to provide Europe with a space capability and to ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. The agency is involved in a wide range of activities, including Earth observation, human spaceflight, and planetary exploration, with a focus on scientific research and technological innovation.

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, contributing to the ground segment and mission operations for ESA's scientific missions that travel in interplanetary space. The role involves furthering the development of the 'Score' report processing software system, which is crucial for converting spacecraft configuration information into human-readable documentation. The intern will have the opportunity to engage in software development and maintenance, including writing new code and improving existing code, thereby playing a significant role in enhancing the functionality of the Score system. The position offers a unique chance to gain hands-on experience in a high-tech environment and contribute to important space missions.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will be responsible for a variety of tasks related to the Score report processing software system. These tasks may include: reviewing and formalizing the data format (JSON files) that serves as the interface between the back-end and front-end of the Score system; improving the web front-end, which is currently the least developed part of the system; potentially writing a new front-end with enhanced features using contemporary web technologies; developing mission-specific report processing modules in Python for spacecraft not currently utilizing the system; making improvements to the back-end, such as enhancing logging, ensuring a cleaner separation from the front-end, and improving mechanisms for feeding telemetry into the system; exploring new concepts for data display, including graphical representations of numerical data; and investigating possibilities for linking the Score system to other data processing tools. The intern will have the flexibility to choose tasks based on their preferences and experience, allowing for a tailored internship experience.

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 familiarity with additional languages spoken in ESA member states would be considered an asset. The intern should also be familiar with programming languages and technologies such as Unix/Linux, Python, Javascript, HTML, and JSON. While prior knowledge of spacecraft communication standards is not necessary, the intern will be expected to learn about these standards during their internship.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes being a university student, ideally in the final or penultimate year of a Master's degree program. The candidate must be enrolled in their university for the entire duration of the internship, ensuring that they can balance their academic commitments with the internship responsibilities.

Experience:
While specific prior experience is not mandated, familiarity with programming languages and software development practices is essential. The intern should have a foundational understanding of the technologies mentioned in the required qualifications section, as well as a willingness to learn and adapt to new challenges in a fast-paced environment. Experience in software development, particularly in Python and web technologies, will be beneficial for the tasks assigned during the internship.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is either English or French, with a good command of one being essential. Knowledge of additional languages spoken in ESA member states is considered advantageous and may enhance the candidate's application.

Additional Notes:
This internship is a full-time position and is part of ESA's commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The agency encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability, or other characteristics. The internship is open to nationals of specific ESA member states, as well as associated and cooperating states. Applicants must be eligible to access technology and hardware subject to European and US export control regulations. The closing date for applications is 30 November 2024 at 23:59 CET/CEST.