ESA Graduate Trainee in Operational and Engineering Support in the CAVES & PANGAEA Team

ESA Graduate Trainee in Operational and Engineering Support in the CAVES & PANGAEA Team

Job Requisition ID: 20210
Date Posted: 1 February 2026
Closing Date: 28 February :59 CET/CEST
Publication: External Only
Type of Appointment: ESA Graduate Trainee
Directorate: Human and Robotic Exploration
Workplace: Porz-Wahn, DE
Grade Band: EAC, Porz-Wahn, Germany

About the Team and Mission

The CAVES & PANGAEA team specialises in training programmes that equip astronauts and mission developers with scientific, expeditionary and behavioural skill sets for current and future space exploration. The group’s primary output is focused around two training programmes:

• CAVES (Cooperative Adventure for Valuing and Exercising human behaviour and performance Skills) reinforces astronaut human performance and behavioural skills for exploration tasks through an expedition into a natural cave system. Cave systems present environments and situations very similar to spaceflight, making them ideal for this type of training.
• PANGAEA (Planetary ANalogue Geological and Astrobiological Exercise for Astronauts) is a geological and astrobiological field training course for astronauts and mission developers. It develops fundamental knowledge and skills in these disciplines, as well as observational and decisional skills such as identifying important geological features in the field, conducting efficient sampling and effectively communicating with scientists on Earth.

The CAVES & PANGAEA team has been working on several tools to enhance these training programmes, as well as to support the next phases of human spaceflight to planetary surfaces. This includes the Electronic Field Book (EFB) tool suite for supporting scientific field activities. The EFB is composed of software running on tablets and laptops that interface with external instruments such as COTS spectrometers, 360° cameras, microscopes, and bespoke 3D printed hardware to gather scientific information in the field and then distribute it to mission support elements. The EFB incorporates the PANGAEA Minerological Database and Machine Learning tools, which enable accurate mineral recognition from analytical data collected on the Earth, the Moon and Mars. The development and testing of these tools during the CAVES and PANGAEA has branched into several studies and industrial contracts that are now working to develop a range of capabilities for the next generation of missions to the Moon and Mars.

You are highly encouraged to visit the CAVES & PANGAEA websites at ESA - CAVES and Pangaea. You also are encouraged to visit the ESA website:

EAC’s task is to focus on the ‘human’ component of human spaceflight: astronaut selection, training, medical support and surveillance, as well as support for astronauts and their families in preparation for and during space missions to the International Space Station (ISS).

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

You will be integrated into the CAVES & PANGAEA project team supporting operations and maintenance of networks, IT tools and equipment, including inventory management and equipment preparation for travel; preparation of documentation and training materials, management of digital data related to the courses.

Activities

• Testing of network infrastructure prior to training implementation;
• Monitoring and troubleshooting the network during field operations;
• Continuous improvement of the network implementation and monitoring tools;
• Ensuring the correct flow of data between the media team, crew and training leads;
• Maintenance of bespoke hardware equipment: designing and 3D printing of replacement parts, etc.;
• Supporting the development of new hardware;
• Preparation of documentation and training materials;
• Preparation of operational products;
• Preparation of course documentation;
• Management of the team’s inventory and media archive at EAC;
• Travel preparation of the equipment to be used during the campaigns;
• Configuration and preparation of tools and equipment before training and operations;
• On-site engineering and operational support;
• Supporting field testing of equipment and tools prior to and during training implementation.

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

Education

You should have just completed, or be in the final year of your master’ s degree in in a technical or scientific topic.

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.

Required Skill Areas

• Network engineering and operations;
• Field testing and operations;
• Database operation and maintenance;
• Digital media archiving (photo, video, VR);
• Maintenance and troubleshooting of electronic equipment;
• Testing, monitoring and troubleshooting of wireless networks;
• CAD and 3D printing.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness

ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. 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

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. 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.