Telecom Payload Systems Engineering Placement

Telecom Payload Systems Engineering Placement

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.

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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:

Join our Digital Payload Engineering team as a Telecom Digital Payload Analysis and Systems Engineering intern and help us develop and optimise innovative solutions for our telecom satellite and payload architectures.

We are a team that analyses and optimises payload architectures using analogue and digital signal processing, on-board digital processing, active antennas reconfigurable by beamforming, passive antennas and new Radio Frequency (RF) technologies. Our work is crucial for meeting the growing demand for flexible satellite solutions.

We are responsible for providing payload performance analysis, modelling, and simulations for both current projects and the development of advanced payload products. This includes supporting our challenging and game-changing products like OneSAT, which delivers fully flexible and reconfigurable satellites to meet evolving market demands.

At Airbus, we help you work, connect, and collaborate more easily and flexibly. We promote flexibility in our working methods wherever possible to stimulate innovation and social sustainability.

Our team is located in Portsmouth, a dynamic city on the south coast of England with excellent transport links and many possibilities for outdoor activities.

What you will be doing:

• You will evolve 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 apply theory to practical application and understanding via support to laboratory test bench activities, or assisting in the payload integration validation and test phase.
• 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.
• 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.
• *Your application should include a CV along with a Cover Letter outlining your motivation and suitability for the role.*
• Successful candidates candidate will be able to demonstrate the following:
• Studying towards a degree in Telecommunications Systems, Electrical or Electronic Engineering or similar and 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.

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.

How to apply

To apply for this role and to find out more, please click on the apply button. Please note that applications may close before the application deadline, so apply early to avoid disappointment.