Internship for optical communication and ground stations (f / m / x)

DLR dlr.de Open · verified Sep 18, 2026

Oberpfaffenhofen Junior Communications

Entry-level Communications role at DLR. Oberpfaffenhofen.

Role brief

Growth Roles summary, based on the employer's posting.

What you'll do

You’ll assemble and integrate cameras, lasers, side telescopes, and aircraft detection systems
You’ll check and test added ground-station equipment and related system structures
You’ll support satellite, aircraft, and ground-based communication trials
You’ll operate telescopes, lasers, sky-monitoring, weather, and climate-control equipment

What you bring

You’re studying engineering, aerospace, mechanical or electrical engineering, physics, optics, computer science, or electronics
You have a genuine interest in space and telescope technology

Who this fits

You’ll suit this student role if you want practical work on optical ground stations and laser communication experiments. The position is based in Oberpfaffenhofen and involves satellite, aircraft, and ground-to-ground campaigns.

From the employer

The DLR Institute of Communications and Navigation is dedicated to mission-oriented research in selected areas of communications and navigation. Its work ranges from the theoretical foundations to the demonstration of new procedures and systems in a real environment and is embedded in DLR's Space, Aeronautics, Transport, Security and Digitalization programmes.

What to expect

Optical free-space communication systems are a rapidly growing area in research and industry. The development, testing and implementation of new future concepts, particularly in the direction of quantum key distribution and new secure communication and data transmission options, are core tasks of the Optical Satellite Links department. The Optical Ground Station Technologies group at the Institute of Communications and Navigation is responsible for the support and further development of optical ground stations for experiments with laser communication in the air, in space and on land. We are able to establish high-speed optical downlinks between airplanes, satellites and the earth. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eecJqy_89I
To expand our capabilities to carry out future laser communication projects, we are looking for a student to work with us on the optical ground stations.

Your tasks

Assembly and integration of additional and expansion systems for the ground stations (camera and laser systems, side telescopes for special applications, aircraft detection and avoidance systems)
Verification and testing of various superstructures and systems
Support for test and trial campaigns with satellite terminals, aircraft campaigns and ground-to-ground experiments
Operation of telescopes, lasers and support systems (sky monitoring, weather stations, climate management)

Your profile

Studies in engineering, aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, physics, optics, computer science, technical physics, electronics or similar
Interest in space and telescope technology

We look forward to getting to know you!

If you have any questions about this position (Vacancy-ID 5997) please contact:

Johannes Prell
Tel.: +49 (0) 8153 28 - 4542