ESA Graduate Trainee in 5G​/6G, Artificial Intelligence and Satellite Telecommunications

Overview

ESA Graduate Trainee in 5G/6G, Artificial Intelligence and Satellite Telecommunications

Job Requisition

Date Posted: 1 February 2026

Closing Date: 28 February 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication:
External Only

Type of Appointment: ESA Graduate Trainee

Directorate:
Connectivity and Secure Communications

Workplace:
Harwell, GB

Grade Band:
Location ECSAT, Harwell, United Kingdom

Our team and mission

ESA’s Space for 5G/6G & Sustainable Connectivity Strategic Programme Line is advancing 5G and 6G technologies to support the digital transformation of Europe by integrating satellite and ground networks. This fusion of terrestrial (TN) and non-terrestrial (NTN) networks will revolutionise how we live, work and communicate in terms of smart mobility, global coverage, security and network resilience. The programme aims to promote the standardisation of seamless global connectivity for various industries and applications, including telemedicine, tele-education, and autonomous vehicles, airplanes and ships.

This includes the development and utilisation of the flagship ECSAT 5G/6G Hub (UK), a centre for innovation and demonstration, where the use of TN/NTN networks, AI and extended reality is tailored to meet the growing demands of stakeholders such as operators, technology and service providers and applications developers.

You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..int

In this role, you will join ESA’s 5G/6G Strategic Programme Line and will contribute to international collaborative projects at the intersection of future networks, artificial intelligence and satellite communications. You will work with a wide range of stakeholders, including user terminal developers, terrestrial network providers, satellite operators and non-space industries such as automotive, energy and logistics.

You will explore how 5G/6G terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks (TN/NTN) can enable new customer services, intelligent systems and autonomous applications, with a strong emphasis on integrating artificial intelligence and edge computing into future network architectures. Your work will help position Europe at the forefront of next-generation connectivity.

A key part of the traineeship involves supporting the operation and evolution of ESA’s 5G/6G Hub at Harwell, a world-class facility dedicated to the convergence of satellite and terrestrial communications. You will contribute to hands-on testing, demonstrations and XR-based use cases, and will help present these capabilities to visitors and partners.

You will support technical activities across the full end-to-end architecture of collaborative projects, gaining practical knowledge of integrated satellite-terrestrial systems, immersive technologies and AI-enhanced communications. You will also help shape technology roadmaps and explore how satellites can contribute to future 6G standards.

• 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

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

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

You should have just completed, or be in the final year of your master’s degree in networking and data communication, telecommunications systems or a similar discipline.

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.

Experience in a 5G or TN/NTN laboratory environment is beneficial. Work experience in AI for networking and/or industrial applications is also beneficial.

Proficie…