Join Airbus Defence and Space in Getafe, Spain as a Microwave Radiometer RF Engineer (Entry Level) in a permanent, full-time role featuring a hybrid working model. You will contribute to the definition, prototyping, validation, and integration of high-precision passive microwave payloads for space-based Earth-observation missions, backed by structured mentorship and professional development.
Requirements
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Telecommunications Engineering, RF/Microwave Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Physics.
Entry-level experience including internships, academic projects, master's thesis, or initial professional experience in RF/microwave design or test.
Mandatory advanced or negotiation level in English (written and spoken).
Proficiency with RF simulation tools such as Keysight ADS, ANSYS HFSS, or CST Studio.
Valuable skills include Python, MATLAB, familiarity with ECSS/ESA space standards, and fluent Spanish.
Skills & Responsibilities
RF Circuit Design & Simulation: Develop schematic and electromagnetic models for RF front-ends using tools like HFSS, ADS, or CST Studio to translate mission requirements into equipment specifications.
Laboratory Testing & Prototyping: Assemble breadboards and prototypes and conduct hands-on laboratory characterization of S-parameters, phase stability, and noise figure using advanced RF test instrumentation.
AIT & Verification: Collaborate in payload Assembly, Integration, and Testing (AIT) as well as Verification and Validation (V&V) campaigns to ensure space flight compliance.
Cross-functional Alignment: Work closely with mechanical, thermal, power, and digital engineering teams in technical trade-offs and formal design reviews.
Potential transition routes: People from electronics engineering or physics backgrounds may bring relevant circuit design and simulation skills, alongside meeting mandatory English language requirements and technical aptitude.
Job description
Job Description:
An opportunity for a Junior RF Microwave Radiometer Engineer has arisen within Airbus Defence and Space, Getafe (Madrid).
The selected candidate will join the Microwave Instrument Engineering Team, a highly specialized and multidisciplinary group dedicated to cutting-edge microwave engineering for space-based Earth-observation missions. You will contribute directly to the definition, prototyping, validation, and integration of high-precision passive microwave payloads, participating across early feasibility studies, implementation phases, and payload delivery. As an early-career engineer, you will benefit from structured mentorship, technical training, and hands-on learning opportunities within an international space environment.
Responsibilities
The main tasks of the jobholder will be:
RF Architecture & Budget Analysis: Translate payload mission requirements into equipment specifications and build RF link/system budgets (noise figure, noise temperature, gain, dynamic range, and sensitivity).
Detailed Design & Simulation: Develop schematic and electromagnetic models for RF front-ends (receivers, LNAs, mixers, filters, detectors, and antenna-coupling networks) using tools such as HFSS, ADS, or CST Studio.
Prototyping & Laboratory Testing: Assemble breadboards and prototypes; conduct hands-on laboratory characterization (S-parameters, phase stability, noise figure, gain) using advanced RF test instrumentation.
AIT & Verification Support: Collaborate in payload Assembly, Integration, and Testing (AIT) as well as Verification and Validation (V&V) campaigns, ensuring compliance with space flight margins.
Multidisciplinary Engineering Alignment: Work closely with mechanical, thermal, power, and digital engineering teams in technical trade-offs, formal design reviews, and technology readiness milestones.
Technical Reporting & Proposals: Author engineering memos, test plans, and verification reports, while assisting the team in technical proposals for future active and passive Earth Observation instruments.
Skills
Is your profile aligned to the following list of skills? Apply! We are looking forward to getting to know you:
Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Telecommunications Engineering, RF/Microwave Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Physics.
Experience: Entry-level / Early-career (internships, academic projects, master's thesis, or initial professional experience in RF/microwave design or test).
Technical Knowledge: Solid theoretical foundations in microwave circuit design (impedance matching, S-parameters, noise theory) and proficiency with RF simulation suites (Keysight ADS, ANSYS HFSS, or CST Studio).
Soft Skills: High learning agility, rigorous analytical mindset, strong teamwork capabilities, and the adaptability to work in a collaborative, multifunctional engineering ecosystem.
Languages: Advanced / Negotiation level in English (mandatory, written and spoken). Fluent Spanish is valuable; French or German is a plus.
Valuable / Nice to Have:Programming and test automation skills (Python, MATLAB).Familiarity with space qualification standards (ECSS / ESA program phases), space environmental constraints (thermal/vacuum, radiation), or satellite payload architectures.Experience with requirement management workflows and standard laboratory instrumentation control.
Which Benefits Will You Have as an Airbus Employee?
At Airbus we are focused on our employees and their welfare. Take a look at some of our social benefits:
Vacation days plus additional days-off along the year.
Attractive salary.
Hybrid model of working when possible.
Collective transport service subject to working calendar/home location.
Benefits such as life insurance, health insurance, employee stock options, retirement plan, or study grants.
On-site facilities (among others): free canteen, kindergarten, medical office.
Possibility to collaborate in different social and corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Excellent upskilling opportunities and great development prospects in a multicultural environment.
Option to access special rates in products & benefits.
#MYCYM
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.
By submitting your CV or application you are consenting to Airbus using and storing information about you for monitoring purposes relating to your application or future employment. This information will only be used by Airbus. 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 emsom@airbus.com .
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.
