Attitude and Orbital Control System/Guidance, Navigation & Control

AIRBUS Defence and Space Limited; Stevenage; Hybrid; GBP 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace company in the UK is seeking an intern to support the AOCS/GNC Advanced studies team. The ideal candidate will be studying towards a degree in engineering or a related field and have programming experience in languages such as C++ or Python. This internship offers a salary of GBP 23,850, flexible working hours, and opportunities to work on innovative space projects.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Half day Fridays

Qualifications

• Candidates must be undergraduates for the entire duration of the placement.
• Experience with control engineering content preferred.
• Background relevant to the aerospace industry is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Support design and development of AOCS/GNC and Flight Dynamics algorithms.
• Perform tasks in spacecraft control engineering and mathematical modelling.

Skills

General computer literacy

Written communication skills

Team interaction

Programming experience (C, C++, Python, etc.)

Education

Studying towards a degree in a numerate discipline

Tools

MS Office

Matlab

Simulink

Job description

Overview

Job Description: Start date: 20 July 2026
Location: Stevenage
Duration: 12 months

Application: We love your interest in joining Airbus! There is no limit on the number of positions you can apply for, however you can only progress in the selection process for one position at a time. We recommend reviewing all available opportunities and applying to those that best match your experience and aspirations.

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Benefits: Salary: GBP23,850
37 hours per week Flexible working hours Hybrid working Half day Fridays! 25 days holiday plus bank holidays

subject to completing full hours prior to this

About us

This internship is a stimulating blend of learning and technical work and the successful candidate will gain extensive experience in the design and analysis of space mission GNC and AOCS, for both small studies and large projects. The department provides the AOCS/GNC engineering analysis and support to a number of large ESA projects currently being conducted at Airbus Defence and Space, such as Martian rovers (ExoMars, Sample Fetch Rover), Earth Observation satellites (FORUM, S3 NG TOPO) as well as astronomical and interplanetary science missions (ARIEL, ATHENA, LISA, ENVISION, etc.). We are a young and dynamic team of passionate people serving the scientific community and the wider public by developing state-of-the-art AOCS / GNC systems for one of the most challenging space missions in Europe. We work with flight hardware and our designs have gone closer to the Sun than Mercury and soon on Mars and around Jupiter s icy Moons!

Your responsibilities

The initial duties and responsibilities are to support the AOCS/GNC Advanced studies team in the design and development of new concepts for AOCS/GNC and Flight Dynamics algorithms. Some of the tasks performed within the wider group are spacecraft control engineering, navigation and guidance, simulator development, mathematical modelling and algorithm development.

Requirements

Our placements are open to Undergraduates only. Therefore 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.

Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate the following:

Qualifications:

• Essential: Studying towards a degree in a numerate discipline (e.g. engineering, physics, computer science, mathematics etc.).
• Desirable: Background with control engineering content.
• Desirable: Background with some relevance to the aerospace industry.

Skills and Experience:

• Essential: General computer literacy, including MS Office.
• Essential: Written and verbal communication skills.
• Essential: The ability to interact comfortably within a team environment.
• Essential: Programming experience in one or more languages such as C, C++, ObjectiveC, Swift, MatLab, Simulink, Python, Java, JavaScript or assembler.
• Desirable: Embedded computer systems (e.g. Arduino, Raspberry Pi etc.).
• Desirable: Linux.
• Desirable: Mathematical modelling.
• Desirable: Computer simulations.

The internship profile requires a candidate with an excellent numerate background and preferably background in an aerospace related discipline, ideally with computer programming content and a specialisation in control systems. Experience in the use of Matlab and Simulink, mathematical modelling, control engineering and computer simulations would again be highly beneficial.

Security clearance

You will be subject to a BPSS (Baseline Personnel Security Standard) check. You may also need to gain UK SC-level Security Clearance or Export Control, depending on the role.

Contact

Please let us know if you need us to make any adjustments to allow you to access and participate fully in the recruitment process. If you wish to discuss this further please contact us. 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.

Company

AIRBUS Defence and Space Limited

Employment Type: Internship

Experience Level: Student

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 .

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.