Operations and Failure Management Placement (13 months)

Airbus; Stevenage; Hybrid; GBP 21,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working options

£24,500 salary

25 days holiday

Half day Fridays

Job summary

Airbus in Stevenage offers an internship in the Operations and Failure Detection, Isolation and Recovery (FDIR) team within the Functional Avionics group. The placement is open to undergraduates and lasts 13 months.

You will learn how the spacecraft operates by collaborating with subsystem architects to ensure nominal and fault scenarios are handled, and you may help define initial operation concepts and Flight Operations Procedures.

Qualifications

• Undergraduates only; must be undergraduate for the whole duration of the placement.
• Experience with coding in C++, Java or Python.
• Ability to take initiative and solve problems in complex situations.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• This role is a great opportunity to learn how the spacecraft works, collaborating with subsystem architects to ensure it functions properly.
• Your objective is to ensure the satellite operates in all nominal and failure situations.
• We work on missions ranging from OneSat Payload to Earth Observation, Science and Exploration missions.
• In early design you may help define the initial operational and FDIR concept including mission scenario and constraints.
• On implementation phases you may detail FDIR monitors, interfaces with software, or write and test Flight Operations Procedures.
• You’ll gain exposure to satellite design and learn from a team of passionate engineers.

Skills

Coding (C++, Java, Python)

Education

Undergraduate student in Aeronautical, Aerospace or Robotics Engineering or related field

Job description

Job Description:

Start date: 19 July 2027

Location: Stevenage

Duration: 13 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:

Join the Operations and Failure Detection, Isolation and Recovery (FDIR) team within the Functional Avionics group in Stevenage. Our team is responsible for looking over the Spacecraft operation in all nominal and contingency situations, from launch until end of life.

We answer critical questions like: How do we power on the spacecraft? How do we communicate with it? How do we detect a malfunction and what actions should we take if something breaks?

To achieve this, we collaborate with a wide range of disciplines to gain a complete understanding of the satellite. Specifically, we work with other Functional Engineering teams, including Software, to define telecommands and data parameters; Functional Verification, to test our Flight Operation Procedures; and Database, to implement and tune FDIR parameters.

What you will be doing:

This role is a great opportunity to learn all about how the spacecraft works, since you’ll be collaborating with all of the other subsystem architects to make sure it does!

Your objective is to make sure the satellite operates in all nominal and failure situations.

We work on a range of missions, from telecoms missions such as OneSat Payload to Earth Observation, Science and Exploration missions such as Vigil and ExoMars Rover.

In the early design phase you might be helping to define the initial operational and FDIR concept including mission scenario, operational constraints, recovery levels and actions etc. On an implementation-phase project you might be going into the detail of the FDIR monitors, or working on the interfaces with software, or writing and testing Flight Operations Procedures (basically, instructions for the operator).

In any case you’ll gain great exposure to satellite design and the opportunity to exchange with and learn from a host of passionate engineers.

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.

As the successful candidate you should be able to demonstrate the following:

• Studying towards a degree in Aeronautical, Aerospace or Robotics Engineering, Electronic Design or a related field;
• Experience with coding (e.g., C++, Java and Python);
• Take initiative to solving problems and able to look to a complex situation with many variables;
• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.

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.

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.

#UK_PLA

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.

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].

Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. 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.

AIRBUS Defence and Space Limited

Employment Type: Internship

Experience Level: Student

Job Family: Chief Engineering & Architecture