Stage 2026 - Développement Logiciel Embarqué (Mission IonSat)

Centre Spatial de l'École Polytechnique (CSEP)

End-of-Studies Internship – Embedded Software Development (IonSat Mission)

** Who we are?

The Space Center of École Polytechnique (CSEP) serves as a vibrant hub of knowledge, expertise, and passion for space exploration. It bridges the gap between experienced professionals from various specialties within the space industry and students eager to launch their careers in this field or gain a deeper understanding of its challenges and opportunities. Supported by its "mécène" members, ArianeGroup and Safran, and guided by a board of highly skilled PhDs, Engineers, and Researchers, the CSEP provides a unique platform for hands-on learning. As an integral part of École Polytechnique's chair "Espace: Sciences et défis du spatial", the center enhances the educational experience by preparing students for impactful careers in the space industry through real-world, challenging projects that often culminate in missions reaching space. Beyond its educational mandate, CSEP also invites global students, engineers, and researchers to collaborate on groundbreaking space initiatives, fostering innovation and international cooperation.

** IonSat mission

IonSat is a 6U nanosatellite project currently under development by the Space Center of Ecole Polytechnique. The primary mission of IonSat is to demonstrate advanced capabilities in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) operations. Equipped with an electric thruster, the satellite is designed to maintain precise orbital positioning and execute complex maneuvers, showcasing the potential for efficient propulsion systems in challenging VLEO environments. IonSat is part of the Nanolab Academy Program, an initiative led by the French Space Agency, CNES. This program is designed to support scientific and educational satellite projects from different space centers across France, helping them achieve their intended results and fostering innovation in space exploration and technology development.

Internship Topic: Development, Test and Integration of Software Partitions for IonSat's TSP-based Flight Software. Duration: 4 to 6 months.

Start date: March 2026.

** Internship Description

The Flight Software (FSW) is the core onboard program responsible for controlling and coordinating all the satellite subsystems during the mission. It plays a crucial role in ensuring the satellite's health, safety, and the success of mission operations. It interacts with hardware (like sensors, actuators, and radios), handles data from various subsystems, executes mission logic, and communicates with the ground station. IonSat's flight software is based on the Time and Space Partitioning (TSP) design. This ensures system reliability, security, and fault confinement. This method divides the software environment into distinct partitions allowing for isolated execution, both in time and space (memory), of critical functions within the satellite On-Board Computer (OBC). We are seeking students, preferably pursuing end-of-studies internships, specializing in Embedded Systems, or a related field, to join the Flight Software and On-Board Computer (FSW&OBC) team of IonSat and contribute to the development of IonSat's Flight Software.

Qualifications:

• Studies in Embedded Systems or any related fields. Preferably, a student looking for an end of studies internship, like 2nd year of a Master's program or 3rd year of Engineering School.

• Proficiency in Embedded Systems, with strong skills in embedded C skills and microcontroller programming.

• Experience with Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS).

• Good knowledge and experience with designing and implementing IPs on FPGAs using VHDL (or Verilog).

• Knowledge, and experience working with communication protocols (CAN, UART, I2C, SPI, etc).

• Embedded firmware development, experience developing device drivers.

• Strong documentation and reporting skills are highly recommended for this role.

• Basic knowledge of Git.

• Fluency in French and English. The student will be technically supervised by a specialized engineer from the CSEP.

They will also benefit from the expertise and guidance of all CSEP team members and the partners of the IonSat project, particularly mentioning the CNES.

** How to apply?

To submit your application, please follow these recommended steps:

1. Compose an email with the subject line: CSEP 2026 Internships: [Your Full Name] Application.

2. Attach your CV to the email.

3. We encourage you to include a brief description of your background, skills, and motivation for joining CSEP and working on the topic.

4. Send your email to the following CSEP members :

Rémunération de stage : 4.50€/heure travaillée