Spacecraft Propulsion Engineer Placement (12 months)

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

Job summary

A leading aerospace company in Stevenage is seeking an enthusiastic intern for their Propulsion team. This position offers a unique opportunity to work on significant space exploration projects, including Mars missions. Candidates should be undergraduates in Science or Engineering and demonstrate leadership and passion for the field. The internship duration is 12 months with a competitive salary of GBP23,850 and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Flexible working hours

Half day Fridays

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Qualifications

• Undergraduate status throughout placement is mandatory.
• Submission of a CV and a motivation letter is required.
• Work experience is preferred but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Work on a variety of Science and Telecom Projects as a Propulsion Engineer.
• Generate propulsion system specifications and perform design and analysis.
• Prepare spacecraft system test plans and related documents.
• Undertake design and structural analysis tasks.
• Be responsible for technical documents supporting project reviews.
• Deliver presentations at major project design reviews.

Skills

Leadership experience

Interest in Engineering

Passion for Space

Education

Studying towards a degree in Science or Engineering

Job description

Overview

Job Description: Start date 20 July 2026
Location: Stevenage
Duration: 12 months
Employment Type: Internship
Experience Level: Student
Company: AIRBUS Defence and Space Limited

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

Join the Airbus Propulsion team, where we design, procure, and build systems and components for a wide array of missions. From exploring the solar system and sending humans back to the moon to monitoring and providing telecommunications solutions for Earth, our work is at the heart of space exploration. We operate across many Airbus sites in Europe, and our team in Stevenage is the centre of competence for Chemical Propulsion. We have a global supply chain and customer base, giving you the chance to work within a truly international environment.

As an intern, you will be embedded in a variety of projects and tasks, including our flagship mission, the Rosalind Franklin Propulsion Landing System. This highly complex system will land the European Rover on the surface of Mars. We have a team of people undertaking the Propulsion Design, Analysis and Validation and this is an example of the kind of project you could support while doing an internship. Additionally, you could get involved in the design and procurement of our propulsion system tanks.

Our large team offers a huge breadth of experience, with many members having dedicated their entire careers to propulsion. You will have the unique opportunity to learn from this wealth of expertise and become part of a team shaping the future of space exploration.

What you will be doing

Main activities of the role may include;

• Opportunity to work on a wide variety of Science and Telecom Projects as a Propulsion Engineer; example projects include RFM Landing Platform, Vigil, Mars Sample Return, Variety of Telecoms projects etc;
• Generate propulsion system specifications and perform propulsion design, performance and analysis for chemical propulsion systems;
• Prepare spacecraft system test plans, test requirement preparation, verification analysis including FMECA, design verification matrices and assessing test results;
• Undertake design and structural analysis of Airbus tanks and the associated pipework;
• Concurrent engineering with system level interfaces mainly in the structural, thermal control, integration and test, attitude control and mission analysis disciplines;
• Be responsible for technical documents and presentations in support of project technical reviews;
• Delivering presentations at major project design reviews, R&D activities and future studies/proposals support;
• Responsibilities also include supporting spacecraft flight critical operations often at customer ground control facilities and reviewing spacecraft telemetry and tele-commanding.

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.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following:

• Studying towards a degree in either Science or Engineering (or similar);
• Leadership experience;
• Work experience preferred but not essential;
• Interest/passion for Engineering and 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.

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

Company

AIRBUS Defence and Space Limited

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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.