Spacecraft Propulsion Engineer Placement (12 months)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working hours

Hybrid working options

Half day Fridays

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Job summary

Airbus Defence and Space Limited in Stevenage offers an internship in Propulsion Engineering for undergraduates. The placement lasts 12 months with a start date of 19 July 2027 and 37 hours per week, with hybrid working options available depending on the role.

The position is open to undergraduates only for the whole duration of the placement, and applicants should include a CV and cover letter outlining motivation and suitability.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate student for the whole duration of the placement.
• CV and Cover Letter outlining motivation and suitability for the role are required.
• Studying towards a degree in Science or Engineering (or similar).
• Leadership experience and genuine interest in engineering and space are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Work on a wide variety of Science and Telecom Projects as a Propulsion Engineer.
• Generate propulsion system specifications and perform design analyses for chemical propulsion systems.
• Prepare spacecraft system test plans and verification activities including FMECA and test result assessment.
• Assist in design and structural analysis of Airbus tanks and associated pipework.
• Contribute to concurrent engineering with system level interfaces across disciplines.
• Support technical reviews and deliver presentations at major project reviews.

Skills

Leadership experience

Interest in Engineering

Space enthusiasm

Education

Undergraduate degree in Science or Engineering

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

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Benefits

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

Salary: £24,500

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

• 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.*

• 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.

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.

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

Sub-system development

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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 [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.