Overview
Telecom Payload Systems Engineering Placement (13 months) – Airbus Defence and Space
Location: Portsmouth
Start date: 20 July 2026
Duration: 13 months
Employment Type: Internship
Experience Level: Student
Job Family: Sub-system development
Benefits
Salary: £23,850
Hours: 37 hours per week; Flexible working hours; Hybrid working; Half day Fridays; 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
What you will be doing
You will evolve within multi-disciplinary and transnational groups (UK, France), covering all the main aspects of payload performances and architecture, including RF and digital equipment, processors, active and passive antennas, systems engineering, and mission operations.
You will assist in the development of payload architecture through performance evaluation and contribute to the definition of operational tools through the development of payload models. You will have the opportunity to apply theory to practical application and understanding via support to laboratory test bench activities, or assisting in the payload integration validation and test phase.
Your tasks will include preparing performance analyses, evaluating payload settings in accordance with mission needs and supporting payload design trade-offs, including analysing RF performances.
This role involves working on disciplines such as signal processing, simulation, modelling and optimisation of a communications chain including RF and digital equipment, with access to other engineering disciplines that enable next generation satellites. There will also be opportunities to support the payload delivery including payload and spacecraft environmental test campaigns and review of test results.
Requirements
Our placements are open to Undergraduates only. It is mandatory for candidates to be an undergraduate for the whole duration of the placement. Please inform your graduation date on your application.
* Your application should include a CV along with a Cover Letter outlining your motivation and suitability for the role.
* Studying towards a degree in Telecommunications Systems, Electrical or Electronic Engineering or similar and Mathematics or Physics
* Basic knowledge of computer programming (e.g., Matlab, Python)
* Experience with modelling tools such as Simulink, SystemVue, ADS would be a plus
* Understanding of utilisation of RF instruments and test equipment; test techniques
* Proficient in MS Office applications, especially Excel, or Google Suite
* Desire to work in the Space Industry is essential
Security clearance
You will be subject to a BPSS check. You may also need to gain UK SC-level Security Clearance or Export Control, depending on the role.
About Airbus Defence and Space
Join our Digital Payload Engineering team as a Telecom Digital Payload Analysis and Systems Engineering intern and help us develop and optimise innovative solutions for our telecom satellite and payload architectures. We analyse and optimise payload architectures using analogue and digital signal processing, on-board digital processing, active antennas reconfigurable by beamforming, passive antennas and new RF technologies. Our work supports flexible satellite solutions and payload performance analysis, modelling, and simulations for current projects and development of advanced payload products, including products like OneSAT that deliver fully flexible satellites.
Airbus promotes flexibility in working methods to stimulate innovation and social sustainability. Our team is located in Portsmouth, a dynamic city with excellent transport links.
What we expect
Be able to collaborate in multi-disciplinary and international groups (UK, France), covering RF and digital equipment, processors, antennas, systems engineering, and mission operations. Apply theory to practice through laboratory tests and payload integration validation and test phases. Contribute to payload performance analyses and design trade-offs, with emphasis on RF performance.
EEO and privacy
Airbus is committed to equal opportunities and an inclusive working environment. By submitting your CV or application you consent to Airbus using and storing information about you for monitoring purposes relating to your application or future employment. This information will only be used by Airbus. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief. Airbus will never ask for monetary exchange in recruitment. Any impersonation should be reported to emsom@airbus.com.
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