Satellite Design Office Placement (13 months)

Job Description:

Start date: 20 July 2026

Location: Portsmouth

Duration: 13 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 http://airbus.com/en/careers/use-of-ai.

Apply early to avoid missing out — we may close adverts once we receive sufficient applications.

Benefits:

Salary: £23,850

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:

Are you interested in how spacecraft engineering works and eager to help validate the flight-worthiness of exciting space applications? If so, this role is for you.

As a member of the Design Office team in Portsmouth, you will play a key part in designing the physical layout of satellite payloads, equipment, and the waveguide interconnections between components. You will also gain knowledge of optics by working on earth observation satellites.

We are constantly looking for new ways to improve our design and analysis processes and develop new technologies. We need your help to save time and cost while improving the quality of our results and expanding the range of our products.

What you will be doing:

During this placement, the activities you may undertake will include:

• Becoming familiar with the processes of providing Design Office support for satellite components, including stress and thermal analysis;
• Developing your understanding of CAD and Finite Element Methods for use in satellite applications;
• Understanding and mapping of existing processes with the view of improving them and developing new ones;
• Creating or Updating existing tools to meet the needs of the team;
• Understanding of Agile ways of working including Visual Performance Management;
• Contributing to Process improvements and creating new/adding to existing tools;
• Developing your employability skills;
• Guidance and supervision will always be available, but you will be given a large degree of freedom and responsibility to develop each project in your own way!

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:

• Must be studying for a degree in Mechanical/Aerospace engineering or equivalent;
• Innovative ways of thinking to contribute ideas on how to improve processes;
• Ability to work well within a team and to organically solve problems as they appear;
• Ability to interact with internal & external stakeholders in a professional manner;
• Ability to deliver to deadlines;
• Ability to follow processes but also provide feedback on changing them;
• An aptitude in software programming is desirable;
• An understanding of computational stress modeling is desirable (experience of Finite Element (FE) tool usage is beneficial);
• An understanding of Agile Ways of Working and methodologies like Kanban and Scrum is a plus.

The nature of the role requires a candidate who is self-motivated, and unafraid to ask the questions necessary to get up to speed in the fast paced and dynamic environment of the Design Office.

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.

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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.

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