Telecom Digital Payload Analysis & Systems Engineering Placement

targetjobs UK; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

AIRBUS Defence and Space Limited in Portsmouth invites undergraduates to join a 13‑month internship focused on telecom satellite payload architectures and performance analyses. You will work with multidisciplinary teams across the UK and France, developing payload models and supporting lab tests.

This role offers exposure to RF and digital equipment, systems engineering, and mission operations, with flexible/hybrid working options and a strong emphasis on hands‑on practical learning in a dynamic

Qualifications

• Undergraduate students only for the full duration of the placement.
• Please inform your graduation date on your application.
• Studying towards a degree in Telecommunications Systems, Electrical or Electronic Engineering, Mathematics, or Physics.

Responsibilities

• Prepare performance analyses for payloads and evaluate settings to meet mission needs.
• Assist in developing payload models and operational tools.
• Support payload integration validation and test campaigns.
• Analyse RF performances and support design trade-offs.

Skills

Programming basics

RF concepts

MS Office

System modelling

Education

Undergraduate degree in Telecommunications Systems, Electrical or Electronic Engineering, Mathematics, or Physics

Tools

Simulink

SystemVue

ADS (Advanced Design Suite)

Job description

Job Description

Start date: 19 July 2027

Location: Portsmouth

Duration: 13 months

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.

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

Are you interested in developing and optimising innovative solutions to our telecom satellite and payload architecture? Or to work in providing engineering support to projects such as OneSAT, where we’re pushing the boundaries of satellite flexibility?

Then this opportunity is for you!

You will be an integral member of a team that analyses and optimises state of the art telecom satellite payload architectures and performances based on on-board analogue and digital signal processing, active antennas reconfigurable by beamforming, passive antennas and new RF (Radio Frequency) technologies, as well as inputs to satellite systems processes in order to meet the growing demand for flexible and secure telecom satellites solutions.

Our team is responsible for providing payload performance analysis, modelling, and simulations to payload projects, and to the development of advanced payload products in particular in support of challenging and innovative on-going game-changing products to our customers across the globe, such as OneSAT, delivering satellite systems that are fully flexible and reconfigurable to meet changing market demands.

At Airbus, we help you work, connect, and collaborate more easily and flexibly. Wherever possible, we promote flexibility in our working methods in order to stimulate the spirit of innovation, and promote social sustainability and inclusivity in all we do.

Our team is located in Portsmouth and Stevenage, with the job position open in Portsmouth, a dynamic city in the south of England served by excellent transport links, and many possibilities for indoor and outdoor activities!

What You Will Be Doing

You will evolve and learn from industry experts and direct dedicated mentorship to support your development, working within multi-disciplinary and transnational groups (UK, France), covering all the main aspects of payload performances and architecture, including RF and digital equipment, processors, active and passive antennas, systems engineering, and mission operations.

You will assist in the development of payload architecture through performance evaluation and will contribute to the definition of operational tools through the development of payload models. Through this you will have the opportunity to move beyond the textbook to hands‑on practical application and understanding via support to laboratory test bench activities, or assisting in the payload integration validation and test phase to allow us to deliver on our business commitments.

Your tasks will include preparing performance analyses, evaluating payload settings in accordance with mission needs and supporting payload design trade-offs, including analysing RF performances.

This job will allow working on a variety of disciplines such as signal processing, simulation, modelling and optimisation of a communications chain including RF and digital equipment, as well as access to other engineering disciplines that enable and deliver next generation satellites, such as Electrical Systems, EMC, and Mechanical Systems and Thermal management.

There will also be opportunities to support the payload delivery including payload and spacecraft environmental test campaigns and review of test results.

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.

Successful Candidates Will Be Able To Demonstrate The Following

• Studying towards a degree in Telecommunications Systems, Electrical or Electronic Engineering, Mathematics, or Physics;
• Basic knowledge of computer programming (e.g. Matlab, Python etc.);
• Experience with modelling tools such as Simulink, SystemVue, ADS (Advanced Design Suite) etc. would be a plus;
• Understanding of utilisation of RF instruments, test equipment; test techniques will be desired;
• Proficient in MS Office applications, especially Microsoft Excel, or Google Suite;
• Desire to work in the Space Industry is essential;
• Displaying and understanding Systems Engineering thinking and behaviours is also a plus.

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.

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

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.

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.