Payload Systems Engineering Degree Apprenticeship

Job Description

Job Description:

Start date: September 2025

Location: Airbus Defence & Space Portsmouth

Duration: 4 years

University: Portsmouth University OR Southampton Solent University

Degree: You will have the opportunity to complete one of the following bachelors:

• BEng (Hons) Space Systems Engineering - Portsmouth University

• BEng (Hons) Electronic Engineering - Southampton Solent University

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: £20,200

37 hours per week // Half day Fridays!* // 25 days holiday plus bank holidays // Pension // Success share // Plus many more flexible benefits!

*subject to completing full hours prior to this

About us:

Do you want to learn how to design and build a satellite? Are you interested in telecommunications? Our team is responsible for designing and delivering telecommunication payloads, which are then built into satellites ready for launch into space. The payloads incorporate analogue and digital signal processing, on-board digital processing and software, active antennas reconfigurable by beamforming, passive antennas and new RF (Radio Frequency) technologies, and form part of the growing demand for flexible telecom satellites.

Our team is responsible for providing engineering management, validation, electrical, EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility), mechanical and thermal engineering to advanced and innovative digital payload projects, such as OneSat.

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 promoting social sustainability in all we do.

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

What you will be doing:

You will be part of a multi-discipline team of technical experts and technical managers, supporting the payload development, assembly, test and validation, also covering systems engineering, and mission operations. You will help ensure robustness of the full payload and of RF and digital equipment, processors, active and passive antennas.

You will gain an insight into the development lifecycle of payload and satellite systems covering their development, design, build, evaluation and validation, and you will learn how system engineering principles are applied and utilised throughout these stages.

You will be involved in the specification and review of mechanical, electrical and EMC performance of flight equipment and help to determine their acceptance for incorporation within the payload system. You will contribute to functional and performance evaluation using laboratory test benches; you will help prepare for test and validation of the final payload products, and you will support equipment, payload and spacecraft environmental test campaigns
including review of test results.

There will also be opportunities to support wider engineering disciplines such as signal processing, system simulation and modelling, and engineering of a communications chain including RF and digital equipment.

Requirements:

In order to be eligible for this apprenticeship, you must have a minimum:

• 104 - 112 UCAS points made up of 2 or 3 A Levels at grades BCC or above

OR

• DMM in an Engineering BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma

OR

• T Level Merit

OR

• IB: 28-29

**All applicants will be required to complete a Skills Gap Analysis from University before completing an application form.

Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate the following:

• The ability to listen, understand and communicate technical information;

• The desire to work in a technical team environment;

• A strong interest in developing yourself;

• Good oral and written communication skills;

• The ability to organise and monitor office tasks and processes so that work progresses more efficiently;

• Submit your CV stating your grades and if they are predicted or achieved;

• Submit a Cover Letter stating your motivations.

Important Information:

GRADES: If you are on predicted grades, your offer will be conditional to achieving the position’s requirements before the apprenticeship start date.

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

Our apprenticeship roles do not meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas & Immigration to enable sponsorship of migrant workers.

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 via email apprentices@airbus.com​. ​ ​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:

Fixed term

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Experience Level:

Student

Job Family:

Support to Management <JF-FA-ES>

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.