Listed on Orbital Diplomat 17 Aug 2026
This ESA Graduate Trainee position is based at ESTEC in Noordwijk and sits within the CIC-CE Contracts Division, which handles procurement for ESA's Earth Observation Programme Directorate. The trainee will be trained as a Contracts Officer, supporting the full procurement lifecycle from drafting invitations to tender, evaluating proposals, negotiating contracts, and monitoring implementation. The role also involves handling administrative, contractual, legal, and industrial issues arising from procurement activities, as well as contributing to process improvement across the Contracts Department. This traineeship provides valuable exposure to complex space contracts ranging from R&D activities to large-scale satellite projects worth hundreds of millions of euros, making it an excellent entry point into space procurement and governance careers.
Master's degree in law, preferably with knowledge of contracts and/or procurement law (recently completed or in final year) Good interpersonal and communication skills Ability to work in a multicultural environment, independently and as part of a team General knowledge of the space sector and ESA's programmes/projects Previous experience in international teams is an asset Proficiency in English or French (ESA working languages); knowledge of another ESA Member State language is an asset Nationality of an ESA Member State, Associate Member State, or Cooperating State