Operations and Failure Management Placement (12 months)

Job Description:

Start date: 21st July 2025

Location: Stevenage

Duration: 12 Months

Application closing date: We encourage you to apply early to avoid missing out on this opportunity! Please note we will close adverts as soon as we receive sufficient applications.

Benefits:

Salary: £22,250

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: 

You will join the Operations and Failure Detection, Isolation and Recovery (FDIR) team, which sits in the Functional Avionics group in Stevenage. 

We work on a range of missions, from telecoms missions such as OneSat Payload to Earth Observation, Science and Exploration missions such as Vigil and ARIEL.

We look at how the Spacecraft will operate in all nominal and contingency situations, from launch until end of life. We answer questions such as: how do we switch on the spacecraft? How do we talk to the spacecraft? How do we know if something breaks? What do we do if something breaks? (Don’t panic!)

To do that we work with all the other disciplines to understand all aspects of the satellite, and more specifically with other Functional Engineering disciplines such as: Software, to define telecommands and data parameters; Functional Verification, to test our Flight Operation Procedures; Database, to implement the FDIR parameters and tuning.

What you will be doing:

This role is a great opportunity to learn all about how the spacecraft works, since you’ll be collaborating with all of the other subsystem architects to make sure it does! 

Your objective is to make sure the satellite operates in all nominal and failure situations. 

In the early design phase you might be helping to define the initial operational and FDIR concept including mission scenario, operational constraints, recovery levels and actions etc. On an implementation-phase project you might be going into the detail of the FDIR monitors, or working on the interfaces with software, or writing and testing Flight Operations Procedures (basically, instructions for the operator).

In any case you’ll gain great exposure to satellite design and the opportunity to exchange with and learn from a host of passionate engineers. 
 

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.

*Please ensure you include your CV and a cover letter for your application to be considered*

We’re looking for you to demonstrate your personal skills! 

• Degree in a related technical field such as Aerospace engineering, Physics, Maths.

• You are Interested in finding out “How things work”;

• You are happy talking with people and to ask questions to gather information you need;

• You are keen to share your knowledge;

• You are technically-oriented and able to process detailed information to engineer and overall architecture.

SECURITY CLEARANCE: Eligibility to gain UK SC Security Clearance OR You will be subject to a BPSS check (including a criminal record check). 

Contact

Please let us know if you need us to make any adjustments. Examples of this may include (but is not exclusive to) accessible facilities; additional time for written exercises; auxiliary aids; room layout; dietary requirements etc. 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

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Experience Level:

Student

Job Family:

Chief Engineering & Architecture

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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 [email protected].

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.