Attitude and Orbital Control System/Guidance, Navigation & Control (AOCS/GNC) Placement (12 months)

Airbus Defence and Space; Stevenage; Hybrid; GBP 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Half day Fridays

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Job summary

AIRBUS Defence and Space Limited in Stevenage offers an internship focused on AOCS/GNC studies, flight dynamics concepts and algorithm development. You will join a team responsible for analysis supporting ESA projects and space missions.

The role requires you to be an undergraduate for the full duration of the placement, with exposure to Matlab/Simulink and programming in languages such as C/C++, Python or Java. Hybrid working options may apply.

Qualifications

• Essential: Studying towards a numerate degree (engineering, physics, CS, mathematics).
• Desirable: aerospace-related background with some programming content.

Responsibilities

• Support AOCS/GNC studies in design and development of new concepts.
• Contribute to navigation, guidance, simulator development and modelling.
• Assist with algorithm development within the group.

Skills

General computer literacy

Written and verbal communication

Team interaction

C

C++

ObjectiveC

Swift

MatLab

Simulink

Python

Java

JavaScript

Assembler

Education

Numerate degree (engineering, physics, CS, maths)

Tools

MS Office

Linux

MATLAB

Simulink

Job description

Job Description:

Start date: 19 July 2027

Location: Stevenage

Duration: 12 months

Applications close on 27 September 2026 !

We love your interest in joining Airbus! There is no limit on the number of positions you can apply for, however, please be aware that 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.

AI Guidance:

We know you might be thinking about using AI to help you in your application - before you do, please read our guidelines on the use of AI for recruitment at Airbus https://www.airbus.com/en/careers/faqs#using-ai-in-your-application .

Benefits:

Salary: £24,500

37 hours per week // Flexible working hours // Hybrid working options available depending on the role // 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, GNC-e), Earth Observation satellites (FORUM, AEOLUS-2) as well as astronomical and interplanetary science missions (ARIEL, VIGIL, etc.).

We are a 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!

What you will be doing:

The initial duties and responsibilities are to support the AOCS/GNC 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;
• 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;
  • Background with some relevance to the aerospace industry.

Skills and Experience:

• Essential:
  • General computer literacy, including MS Office;
  • Written and verbal communication skills;
  • The ability to interact comfortably within a team environment;
  • 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.);
  • Linux;
  • Mathematical modelling;
  • 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.

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

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.

Company:

AIRBUS Defence and Space Limited

Employment Type:

Internship

Experience Level:

Student

Job Family:

Vehicle Mission & Control

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.