Our team and mission

The Avionics and EEE Division plays a pivotal role in ensuring the reliability and advancement of spacecraft avionics and component technologies. Its mission spans design assurance, qualification, and testing of EEE components, as well as radiation hardness assurance for space systems in its domain of responsibility. The division operates specialised laboratories and provides expertise to ESA projects, industry, and research partners. It actively disseminates knowledge through internal and external training, conference participation, and tutoring of PhD students, ESA Graduate Trainees (EGTs), and National Trainees, fostering innovation and professional growth.

Components
The Section is responsible for ensuring that all EEEE Components (passive & active) flown on ESA missions are suitable for their application and the environment for which they are intended, lead the development of EEEE Components and their qualification. European Space Component Coordination (ESCC) executives and actively supporting European Cooperation for Space Standardisation (ECSS) standardisation activities. The section conducts Research and Development (R&D) activities in their domain of responsibility. 

Radiation & Component Reliability
The Section is responsible for assessing all aspects of EEEE Component Radiation Effects to ensure EEEE Components flown on ESA Missions are suitable for the Radiation Environment and their assigned application for the duration of the mission. It is also responsible for all EEEE Component laboratory Test and Analysis activities. The section conducts R&D activities in their domain of responsibility and manages the EEEE Component Laboratory Facility. Actively supporting ESCC/ECSS standardisation activities.

Microelectronics 
The section is responsible for development and verification of all Microelectronic devices flown on ESA missions such as AI Accelerators, FPGAs, ASICs, Microprocessors, microelectronic processes, Instruction Set Architecture (ISA), radiation-aware design, prototyping and test for space‑grade microelectronics. The section conducts R&D activities in their domain of responsibility and manages the Microelectronics Laboratory Facility. Actively supporting ECSS standardisation activities.

Avionic Architecture 
Responsible for supporting all ESA missions in the area of Avionics Sub-System development, their verification and validation, and their qualification within the framework of the agency's strategic objectives. 

Data Handling
Responsible for on-board data handling sub-systems (Platform and Payload). Responsible for developing and qualifying equipment for data acquisition, processing, and distribution (buses, interfaces, mass‑memory, data‑processing chains, remote interface units, etc.). on-Board data processing is an important focus of the section including development of turn-key AI HW solutions for ESA Missions. The section conducts R&D activities in their domain of responsibility and manages the Data Handling Laboratory Facility. Actively supporting ECSS/CCSDS standardisation activities.

Flight Software
This section designs and maintains flight software for spacecraft control and payload management. It addresses real-time operating systems, fault detection and recovery, and software validation frameworks. The team also explores advanced concepts such as AI-assisted on-board processing, ensuring adaptability and resilience in increasingly complex missions. The section conducts R&D activities in their domain of responsibility and manages the Flight Software Laboratory Facility. Actively supporting ECSS/CCSDS standardisation activities.

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic of the internship: Utilisation of neuromorphic for efficient AI implementation for space on-board Data Handling System applications. 

Recent AI developments have primarily relied on large-scale GPU-based cloud infrastructures, but this approach faces challenges with latency, power consumption, and data privacy. To address these issues, there is an increasing shift toward edge AI. Upcoming ESA missions will require greater on-board autonomy, utilising smart sensors AI powered. However, SWaP constraints may require energy efficient solutions, particularly when deployed on rovers, probes, or landers. The proposed activity shall highlight how event-based processing, neuromorphic technology, could effectively address these limitations, enabling efficient object detection, classification, and tracking.

The proposed activity will identify use cases in which event-based, or neuromorphic, computing can outperform or complement artificial neural networks deployed on conventional FPGA, GPU, or TPU platforms. Key advantages include lower power consumption and reduced latency, particularly when event-based sensors, such as cameras, are paired with event processors. Whereas conventional frame cameras typically operate at 25–100 Hz, event-based cameras can achieve sampling rates of up to 1 MHz. Combining an event-based camera with an event processor can therefore significantly improve the tracking of fast-moving objects and operation in low-signal-to-noise conditions, such as low-light environments.

Relevant datasets will then be identified or, if real data are unavailable, generated using a digital twin. This approach is particularly suitable for debris detection, landing, and proximity operations such as docking, servicing, and capture.

Finally, a testbed based on Neuromorphyx boards will be deployed for laboratory demonstration. It will integrate a NeuroSight event-based camera (Prophesee GenX320) with a NeuroCore event inference engine (BrainChip AKD 1500).

Neuromorphyx | Neuromorphic Edge AI Hardware

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 university course at Master's level. In addition, you must be able to prove that you will be 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 ESA Member State language is an asset.

During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.

Knowledge and background in the following areas is an asset:

• AI knowledge;
• electronics.