Our team and mission

This position is based at the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) – Darmstadt, Germany

Under the direct authority of the Director of Operations, the Strategy and Transformation Office is responsible for preparing and formulating strategies in collaboration with the Director and the Management Team, and providing the Directorate’s overarching coordination function.

The main responsibilities of the Strategy and Transformation Office, which works directly with the Director of Operations are: Preparing and formulating strategies in collaboration with the Director and the Operations Directorate (D/OPS) Management Team.

This includes:

• formulating, communicating and evolving the Directorate’s overall strategy. Leading the Directorate’s strategy evolution;
• establishing and leading the Directorate Innovation Governance e.g. through D/OPS-wide innovation cups;
• coordinating the strategic planning and implementation of the Directorate Research and Technology (R&T) activities, in close cooperation with the relevant other ESA actors.;
• fostering the development and supporting the establishment of the Directorate’s strategic partnerships. Coordinating and fostering cooperation and exchange with academia, other space agencies, and industry;
• developing the Directorate’s Business Intelligence, by monitoring and analysing the external and internal environment and overlooking the socio-economic impact of the Directorate’s business;
• economic impact of the Directorate’s business.

Managing the Directorate’s governance process with respect to the Mission Operations Infrastructure (the overall system infrastructure that is required to operate space missions)

• Investment and Core Technical Expertise strategic planning and budget management.

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic of the internship: Innovation Support

You will work at the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC): the main mission control centre for the European Space Agency (ESA). ESOC’s primary function is to operate unmanned spacecraft on behalf of ESA as well as launch and early orbit phases. ESOC is also a home to ESA’s Space Safety programme.

During your internship you will directly support the ESOC Innovation Officer in various tasks, including chairing the Innovation Management Committee and collaborating with the ESA Business Incubation Centre Hessen and other partners, such as startups, established corporations, research institutions, and universities. Your responsibilities will include problem-solving, desk research, drafting and reviewing documentation, as well as organizing and facilitating events, such as regular innovation meetups. Depending on your prior experience, you may also be entrusted with larger tasks, such as delivering an end-to-end work stream for an ongoing project.

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking

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

Education

You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of a university course at Master’s level and you need to remain enrolled at your University for the entire duration of the internship.

Additional requirements

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.

A STEM background is an asset.

Engineering background is not essential for this position, MBA students are welcome to apply