Our team and mission

The Technology Coordination and Planning Office, within the Technology Department of the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality, leads the implementation and evolution of processes relating to technology planning and coordination across the Agency and with external stakeholders, including ESA Member States, the EU and industry. The Office also provides support to the Director on EU matters to do with technology, coordination of competence domains and general interaction with ESA Member States and industry. In so doing, the team interfaces with individuals at various levels inside and outside the Agency.

The Office’s specific duties include:

managing the Technology Harmonisation process at European level, mapping needs and capabilities and leading to roadmaps agreed by national and European institutions and industry, and monitoring the implementation;
acting as Chairperson of the Technology Harmonisation Advisory Group (IPC THAG) and providing the secretariat function of the Technology Advisory Working Group (IPC TA-WG);
leading the coordination with the European Commission and the European Defence Agency (EDA) on Critical Space Technologies for European Non-Dependence;
leading the coordination with EU on technology matters;
leading the implementation of the processes for Agency-wide management of technology development within ESA;
evolving the Agency-wide technology management process as required to improve efficiency and use;
providing the TEC Liaison and Control Officer function;
being TEC representative for internal networks and fora related to the above responsibilities.

You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

You will contribute to a range of activities of the Technology Coordination and Planning Office, in particular to the:

coordination and harmonisation of space technology development in Europe;
extensive mapping of technologies submitted for harmonisation with ESA, national and industry experts; drawing up of roadmaps and harmonised implementation schemes for discussion and agreement with ESA Member States;
preparation of the European Space Technology Master Plan;
analysis of ESA internal technology management processes;
evolution of the procedures, tools and databases supporting the processes coordinated by the Office.

Technical competencies

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

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation

Operational Efficiency

Fostering Cooperation

Relationship Management

Continuous Improvement

Forward Thinking

For more information, please refer to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

Education

You should have just completed, or be in the final year of your master’ s degree in a technical or scientific discipline, in particular systems engineering, business engineering/management, or industrial engineering.

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.

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, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.

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 contact.human.resources@esa.int.

Important Information and Disclaimer
Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations & security clearance by their national security administrations.

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.

Nationality and Languages
Please note that applications can only be considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).

According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States*. When short-listing for an interview, priority will be given to external candidates from under-represented Member States*.

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.

ESA Graduate Trainee in Technology Coordination and Planning

Job description