Electrical Instruments System Engineer Placement (12 months)

AIRBUS Defence and Space Limited; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace company in Portsmouth is seeking motivated undergraduate interns for the development of advanced Earth Observation satellite payloads. This role involves supporting a variety of engineering activities related to radar and microwave instruments, working closely with experts. Candidates must be pursuing a relevant degree and show a willingness to learn. The internship offers flexible working hours and various benefits, fostering impactful contributions to global missions.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Half day Fridays

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Qualifications

• Undergraduates only; must be undergrad for the placement duration.
• Strong motivation and suitability for the role are necessary.
• Practical experience with hardware (electronics) is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Support activities in Earth Observation radar and payload development.
• Conduct design activities for radar, microwave, and optical instruments.
• Perform analysis on space-based payloads and sensors.

Skills

Willingness to learn

Experience with Matlab

Experience with Python

Confident teamwork

Education

Studying towards a degree in Physics, Engineering, Electronics, or Microwave

Tools

Matlab

Python

Job description

Overview

Job Description: Start date: 20 July 2026; Location: Portsmouth; 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, 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. Apply early to avoid missing out - we may close adverts once we receive sufficient applications.
Benefits: Salary: GBP23,850; 37 hours per week; Flexible working hours; Half day Fridays; 25 days holiday plus bank holidays; subject to completing full hours prior to this.

About us: Embark on a mission to see our planet like never before. We are seeking a motivated intern to contribute to the development of advanced Earth Observation satellite payloads. If you are passionate about space technology and its power to monitor our world—from polar ice caps to humanitarian crisis zones—this is the opportunity you have been waiting for. Based in our Portsmouth facility, you will join our Radar and Microwaves department within the Earth Observation and Science division. Here, you will learn from and work shoulder-to-shoulder with global experts who are pioneering the development of next-generation spaceborne radar and radiometer payloads. Your work will directly contribute to critical global missions. The technology you help develop will be used to image the Earth in exquisite detail, monitoring sea-ice zones, enabling humanitarian aid through crisis mapping, assessing land-surface motion risks, and tracking vital changes in forests, water, and agriculture. This is more than an internship; it\'s a chance to apply your skills to projects that have a lasting, positive impact on our planet and its inhabitants.

What you will be doing

During this internship, you will have the opportunity to support a range of activities such as:

• Be integrated as part of the instrument development team working on the next generation of Earth Observation radar, microwave and/or optical payloads;
• Undertake radar, microwave and/or optical instruments architecture and design activities within a specific area of a project or equipment;
• Develop architectural concepts and designs in response to technical specifications, within payload design constraints;
• Carry out payload systems design engineering, product development and procurement for spaceborne, within the framework of the applicable requirements, guidelines and standards imposed by our customers and the technical domain;
• Perform detailed analyses of space-based payloads and sensors; Define the performance allocation between the various equipment of the payload; perform the functional analysis and decomposition of performance requirements;
• Contribute to model philosophy and Assembly, Integration & Verification planning at all levels;
• Coordinate and work with other engineering disciplines to develop robust technical solutions for the space environment and to maintain up-to-date requirement specifications on contractors or suppliers. Take into account all aspects including; reliability, failure effects, reusability, schedule, quality, cost, risk, safety and performance.

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:

• Studying towards a degree in Physics, Engineering, Electronics, or Microwave (or other applicable degree) with a base in both disciplines;
• A willingness to learn from and contribute to the instrument/payload development team;
• Experience in the use of performance modelling and development tools (such as Matlab, Python );
• Practical experience with hardware (electronic) would be beneficial;
• Confident and able to work in a multidisciplinary systems environment.

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: Elec.Electron.&Electromag,Optics&Optron.