ESA Graduate Trainee in Low Earth Orbit Business and Technical Analysis

Our team and mission

The ESA Graduate Trainee will be embedded within the Future Preparation Group team, in the Directorate for Human and Robotic Exploration (HRE). The team leads the Agency’s forward-looking initiatives in space exploration, focusing on defining and implementing the next generation of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) platforms and services in preparation for the post-International Space Station (ISS) era. The team collaborates closely with ESA’s industrial and institutional partners to shape a commercially sustainable LEO economy, enabling astronaut missions, scientific utilisation, and technology demonstrations.

Our work encompasses a broad spectrum of activities, including analysing industrial proposals, defining ESA’s high-level requirements, and supporting innovative commercial service models. By leveraging expertise from current ISS programmes and integrating new approaches, HRE aims to establish ESA’s role as a privileged anchor customer within a globally evolving space economy. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to shaping the future of European space exploration.

Additionally, building up on the required work for the Post-ISS activities, the ESA Graduate Trainee may also be engaged in the analysis of the existing and future European industrial activities in the space sector, ranging from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) activities to Moon and Mars missions, hence being progressively exposed to the industrial policy of the ESA Member States participating to the European Exploration Envelope Programme (E3P).
 

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

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

As an ESA Graduate Trainee, you will engage in the following activities:

• LEO Infrastructure Analysis: Support the evaluation and consolidation of industrial proposals for Post-ISS LEO platforms, focusing on technical, operational, and economic aspects.
• Cost Modelling: Assist in developing transition models from the current ISS operational costs to future LEO infrastructure options, with a particular emphasis on service-based procurement models.
• Industry Capability Mapping: Maintain and expand a database of European industrial capabilities relevant to Post-ISS activities, highlighting potential benefits for ESA Participating States.
• Collaborative Initiatives: Contribute to cooperative projects with other ESA Directorates to integrate LEO services into the Agency’s broader commercialisation strategy.
• Market Analysis: Analyse global LEO and lunar market trends, including emerging commercial opportunities and international initiatives, to support strategic decision-making.
• Documentation and Reporting: Consolidate detailed reports, presentations, and updates for HRE management and E3P Participating States.

Learning Objectives:

• Develop expertise in space sector market analysis and strategic planning;
• Grow first-hand understanding of E3P Participating States strategic priorities;
• Gain hands-on experience in technical and programmatic evaluation processes;
• Enhance collaborative and communication skills through interaction with cross-disciplinary teams and stakeholders;
• Build a strong understanding of ESA’s evolving role in commercial space exploration.

Technical competencies

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 should have just completed, or be in the final year of your master’ s degree in a relevant field such as business, economics, space studies, engineering, or other related disciplines.

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. 

The ideal candidate should:

• Demonstrate strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with experience in market or data analysis considered an asset;
• Be familiar with key aspects of space exploration programmes, particularly the ISS and emerging commercial initiatives such as NASA’s Commercial LEO Destinations (CLD) and LEO Cargo Resupply Services (LCRS);
• Have some knowledge in relevant fields such as market analysis, data modeling, or technical assessment. Previous exposure to space industry projects during the university curriculum is a strong advantage.