AGGP2027 – Graduate AOCS/GNC & Flight Dynamics Engineer

Cooper & Hall Limited; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Airbus Defence and Space Limited in the United Kingdom invites graduates to join the Global Graduate Programme, a two-year journey to grow your leadership, technical, and business skills while contributing to space missions.

You'll rotate through placements, work on GNC/AOCS design, and develop software prototypes, with mentorship from seasoned engineers and a global graduate community.

Qualifications

• Degree in a relevant field such as Control/Automation/Space/Aeronautical Engineering.
• Strong English communication and teamwork skills.
• Interest in aerospace and space systems.

Responsibilities

• Participate in the Airbus Global Graduate Programme with a two-year development journey.
• Rotate through placements to build leadership, technical and project skills.
• Support design and analysis activities for space missions and related software.

Skills

Matlab

Simulink

C programming

English communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Control/Automation/Space/Aeronautical Engineering

Tools

Jira

Confluence

Job description

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 a number of large ESA (European Space Agency) projects, such as the ExoMars Rover, ARIEL, AEOLUS-2, and other 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.
• 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. We expect 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

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).

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.

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 (apply early as some roles may close before this date due to applications received). All applications and CVs need to be in English.

Please let us know if you need us to make any adjustments due to specific requirements. Any information disclosed will be treated in the strictest confidence.

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the company's success, reputation, and sustainable growth.

About AIRBUS

Company: AIRBUS Defence and Space Limited

Employment Type: Permanent

Experience Level: Entry Level

Job Family: Vehicle Mission & Control

By submitting your CV or application you are consenting 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.

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. 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.

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.