AGGP2027 - Graduate AOCS/GNC & Flight Dynamics Engineer

Airbus Defence and Space; Stevenage; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

AIRBUS Defence and Space Limited invites applications for the AGGP2027 Graduate Attitude and Orbital Control System/Guidance, Navigation and Control & Flight Dynamics Engineer program. Start date September 2027, UK-based, with a two-year personalized development journey and rotations into AOCS/GNC & FD engineering.

You will work on space mission GNC design, flight algorithms, and prototype software, while engaging in leadership development and hands-on projects within ESA collaborations.

Qualifications

• Degree in Control/Automation/Space/Aeronautical Engineering or equivalent.
• Recent graduate or early professional in AOCS, GNC or Flight Dynamics.
• Strong English communication skills.
• Interest in aerospace and space projects.

Responsibilities

• Gain experience in design and analysis of space mission GNC and flight algorithms.
• Support ESA projects such as ExoMars Rover, ARIEL, AEOLUS-2, VIGIL.
• Produce design justifications and requirements for AOCS/GNC.
• Develop prototype software in C/ Matlab/ Simulink.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Matlab/Simulink

C programming

Software development

Space interest

Education

Relevant degree in Control/Automation/Space/Aeronautical Engineering

Tools

Jira/Confluence

Linux

CMake

Job description

Job Description:

AGGP2027 - Graduate Attitude and Orbital Control System/Guidance, Navigation and Control & Flight Dynamics Engineer

Start date: September 2027

Are you a university graduate with the aspiration, enthusiasm, and talent to help us pioneer sustainable aerospace for a safe and united world? Every year, Airbus seeks bright minds from around the globe to fill critical roles that will shape our future.

When you begin your career with us, we don't just offer a job; we accelerate your growth through the Airbus Global Graduate development journey. This isn't a one-size-fits-all program; it's a personalized, two-year experience designed to cultivate your professional skills, enhance your business acumen, and hone your technical abilities. We place a strong emphasis on developing your leadership potential from day one. You'll gain a unique perspective on the world of Airbus while contributing directly in a specific, impactful position.

During the two years, we will take you on a soft-skill development journey, covering such areas as inclusive leadership, our Values, resilience, communication and emotional intelligence, with various in-person and virtual workshops.

Beyond your daily responsibilities and this comprehensive schedule of training, you'll join your global graduate community annually for an in-person dedicated development week. This is your chance to connect with your peers, learn directly from our seasoned leaders, and gain insights from the best in the industry.

Throughout the programme, you will be developed into an established and valuable team member from day 1. You'll sharpen your skills in an area strategically important to Airbus, gaining a deep understanding of our business - its opportunities, challenges, and needs. Most importantly, you'll have learned more about yourself and what makes you truly great. You will have demonstrated your capability and readiness to take on future leadership challenges within Airbus.

Above all, you'll have the unparalleled opportunity to do your best work in an industry that is literally reshaping how we live in our world.

What You Will Be Doing

You will be on a development journey to guide your growth into the role of AOCS/GNC & FD Engineer and can expect to be involved in the following:

• A blend of learning and technical work as the successful candidate will gain extensive experience in the design and analysis of space mission GNC as well as mission analysis, for both small studies and large projects, having the unique opportunity to work on flight algorithms and flight hardware.
• Supporting to a number of large ESA (European Space Agency) projects, such as the ExoMars Rover (a mission to land and operate an autonomous rover vehicle on Mars), ARIEL (a mission to map Earth-like exoplanets), AEOLUS-2 (providing the first-ever high-resolution vertical wind profiles from space) and some other particularly ambitious satellite and interplanetary probes missions such as VIGIL.
• Performing AOCS/GNC design and analysis activities through the full engineering lifecycle from initial concept design through to support to validation, producing the associated documentation (design justifications, software requirements for AOCS/GNC algorithms, performance analysis documentation etc.).
• Developing software to a prototype level (non-real time simulator development under C/Matlab/Simulink).
• Learning about Earth Observation satellites, interplanetary probes and space exploration rovers from an AOCS/GNC point of view, giving a good global understanding of those systems while developing a deep understanding of mission critical systems.

Your development pathway will include a minimum of one rotational placement to support your growth into position.

At the end of the 2 year development programme you will have developed into the position of AOCS/GNC & FD Engineer.

What We Are Looking For

To be a successful applicant to the Airbus Global Graduate Programme, you will need to demonstrate you have:

• A degree level or equivalent within a relevant field of study (e.g., Control/Automation/Space/Aeronautical Engineering)
• Recently graduated or first professional experience in the field of AOCS, GNC or Flight Dynamics
• Strong verbal and written communication in our business language (English)
• A desire to work in a collaborative team environment, focused on driving future innovation
• The ability to be self aware and a wish to be in the driving seat of your development.
• Experience of mathematical modelling, computer simulations and software development is highly desirable.
• Experience within the space industry is preferable, although not mandatory. Nonetheless, as we are a team of passionate people excited at the chance of working on challenging space projects, we are expecting from the successful candidate an interest in the aerospace sector.

We are also looking for the following essential skills and experience:

• General computer literacy, including MS Office.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with very good documentation skills.
• The ability to interact comfortably within a multicultural team environment.
• Matlab and Simulink.
• C language or a similar programming experience.
• Having participated in a space-related project at some point of the development and validation cycle.

Other desirable skills include:

• Mathematical modelling.
• Computer simulations.
• Control engineering academic background.
• Space industry acumen.
• Participation in an applied AI project.
• Experience working in Agile.
• Experience with Jira / Confluence.
• Basic Linux / CMake knowledge

We love your interest in working for Airbus but we do ask that you make only one application to the Airbus Global Graduate Programme. Take the time to decide which of our exciting opportunities is right for you and then submit an application that best represents you, your skills and experience in connection with the role you have selected.

Please note, we are unable to provide Skilled Worker visa sponsorship for this position. We welcome applications from candidates with existing right to work in the UK or those eligible via other routes (e.g., Graduate Visa, Youth Mobility Scheme). For full eligibility details, please consult UK Visas and Immigration .

This position requires a security clearance or will require being eligible for clearance by the recognised authorities. You must also have (or will have) the right to work in the country of the position you are applying for.

This Job Request will be allocated to the projected Joint-Venture scope towards a leading European player in space.

What Is The Recruitment Process

Online application -> Online Task Based Assessment -> Application Review (Talent Acquisition Partner & Manager) -> Virtual Assessment Centre -> Offer!

NB: Applications will close on 30th September 2026. All applications and CVs need to be in English.

Company

AIRBUS Defence and Space Limited

Employment Type

Permanent

Experience Level

Entry Level

Job Family

Vehicle Mission & Control

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Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief.

Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to [e-mail] .

At Airbus, we support you to work, connect and collaborate more easily and flexibly. Wherever possible, we foster flexible working arrangements to stimulate innovative thinking.