Junior Professional in AI/ML Software Engineering - European Space Agency (Paris)

About this position

The summary below is published by European Space Agency on the official vacancy notice. Our own analysis — salary realism, comparable openings, career trajectory, language profile — follows further down the page.

Key responsibilities

According to the vacancy notice, the role centres on the following duties:

• Support the development of AI models applicable across the Agency and designed to operate across multiple data domains
• Lead the transition of AI models from prototype or experimental environments into operational use, including deployment readiness, reproducibility, monitoring and lifecycle management
• Contribute to the implementation and operation of an Agency-wide ML model catalogue
• Support the establishment and operational use of an Agency-wide LLM inference service, using on-premises infrastructure and cloud resources efficiently
• Establish data preparation, validation and quality practices that make data AI-ready
• Ensure that technical and operational payload data is interoperable with existing business and management data available in the ESA Data Factory
• Ensure that AI solutions comply with applicable governance and security constraints
• Document implemented solutions and contribute to technical guidelines and best practices that promote scalable AI solutions across the Agency

Are you eligible?

Check these requirements from the notice before investing time in an application:

• Education: Master's degree in computer science or similar (mathematics, physics, engineering, etc.)
• Experience: Up to three years of professional experience after Master's degree
• Key skills: Python, ML Libraries (PyTorch, TensorFlow, scikit-learn or equivalent), Linux OS, Git, LLM tools (vLLM, LangChain, etc.), CI/CD pipelines, Docker/Singularity (asset), Kubernetes (asset), SLURM/PBS (asset)

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: Four years, with intention to offer indefinite contract at the end if performance is satisfactory.

Working arrangements: ESA Headquarters, Paris, France or another site, as required. Developmental assignments may entail temporary relocation to another ESA establishment or other location..

Hiring unit: Data & AI Unit, Digital, Data and Information Technology Department, Directorate of Resources and Services.

Position details

Reference

1409735033

Last Verified

17 July 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Junior Professional in AI/ML Software Engineering at ESA based in Paris (Other). The vacancy reference is 1409735033.

Job Requisition ID:20679

Date Posted:30 June 2026

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

Publication:Internal & External

Directorate:Resources and Services

This post is part of ESA’s Junior Professional Programme. We are looking for enthusiastic candidates with up to 3 years of relevant professional experience after their Master's degree to join ESA for a four-year assignment. During this time, you will be actively working and learning on the job and will benefit from valuable mobility and developmental opportunities that will prepare you for a successful career at ESA. Subject to performance, it is therefore the intention to offer you an indefinite contract which will start at the end of the four years.

Recruitment will take place at the A1 grade on the Coordinated Organisations’ [salary scale](https://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/careers/Table_Staff_Salaries.pdf). At the end of the fourth year and if you are offered an indefinite contract at the end of your Junior Professional assignment, you will be upgraded to the A2 grade.

Location

ESA Headquarters, Paris, France or another site, as required.

Developmental assignments form an integral part of the Junior Professional Programme and may entail a temporary relocation to another ESA establishment or other location.

## Description

Junior Professional in AI/ML Software Engineering in the Data & AI Unit, Digital, Data and Information Technology Department, Directorate of Resources and Services.

You will join the Data & AI Unit within the Digital, Data and Information Technology Department at ESA Headquarters, Paris. The Unit runs the ESA Data & Apps Factory, the Agency’s largest corporate data repository. By turning trusted and validated data into AI-enabled insights, we help ESA make better decisions, improve processes and generate knowledge-based outcomes rather than relying on intuition.

We are an experienced team delivering end-to-end capabilities by combining infrastructure, data engineering, data science and operations. Our work supports both business data as well as AI-driven data processing for scientific and operational payloads. This includes making heterogeneous datasets interoperable, AI-ready and usable across different domains.

We apply AI/ML to areas such as time-series analysis and natural language processing. We own and operate the technology stack for ML operations, ensuring that the models we build can move from prototype to secure, reliable and actionable operational outcomes across the Agency.

## Duties

During the first year, you will work on the development of Al models that combine multiple data domains, including business, management, technical and operational data. By the end of the first year, the objective is to have developed and operationalised at least one Al model contributing to the improvement of one or more Agency-level KPls.

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

* supporting the development of Al models applicable across the Agency and designed to operate across multiple data domains; * leading the transition of Al models from prototype or experimental environments into operational use, including deployment readiness, reproducibility, monitoring and lifecycle management; * contributing to the implementation and operation of an Agency-wide ML model catalogue; * supporting the establishment and operational use of an Agency-wide LLM inference service, using on-premises infrastructure and cloud resources efficiently; * establishing data preparation, validation and quality practices that make data Al-ready; * ensuring that technical and operational payload data is interoperable with existing business and management data available in the ESA Data Factory, enabling coherent cross-domain Al use; * ensuring that Al solutions comply with applicable governance and security constraints; * documenting implemented solutions and contributing to technical guidelines and best practices that promote scalable Al solutions across the Agency.

## Development Programme

In addition to your daily work, you will take part in an extensive learning and development programme. From day one, you will learn on the job and benefit from tailored development opportunities, including participation in technical and key skills training courses.

Furthermore, there is a mobility component to the Junior Professional Programme that can be either an internal rotation to another team within ESA, an external secondment outside of ESA or a combination of both. Internal rotations aim to boost your professional experience and knowledge of the European Space Agency, whereas external secondments aim to boost your professional experience and knowledge of the European space sector.

This programme represents a significant investment by ESA in your personal and professional development and is designed to provide you with the required knowledge and skills for a career at ESA. You can expect to be given many opportunities to develop your professional experience and competencies, to learn from ESA experts and to contribute to ESA activities.

## Technical competencies

Python

ML Libraries (PyTorch, TensorFlow, scikit‑learn or equivalent)

Linux OS

Git

LLM tools (vLLM, LangChain, etc.)

CI/CD pipelines

## Behavioural competencies

## Education and professional experience

A master's degree in computer science or similar (mathematics, physics, engineering, etc.) is required for this post with up to three years of professional experience.

## Additional requirements

Knowledge of Docker/Singularity, Kubernetes and/or SLURM/PBS are an asset.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 3 July 2026, 19 days ago.

The application deadline is 28 July 2026, 4 days from today. Late applications are not accepted, so submit through the official EU Careers portal well in advance.

Last verified against the EU Careers feed on 17 July 2026 (5 days ago).

Where to learn more

For headcount, mission, and other open vacancies at ESA see the ESA institution page; for the cost of living, correction coefficient, and other postings in Paris see our Paris location page.

New to EU careers? Our beginner's guide walks through entry routes, EPSO competitions, and what to prepare. For application logistics see application tips and EPSO competitions.