Thermal Analysis & Space Physics Placement (12 months)

Job Description

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:

Whether we are peering into the infinite beyond or looking back at Planet Earth, mapping every star in our galaxy or counting trees in Amazonia, we have been helping to answer the big questions for over 50 years. With cutting-edge capabilities and decades of experience, Airbus has all that it takes to design, develop and operate major space systems.

The Thermal Analysis & Space Physics team is responsible for the analysis, development, and testing of spacecraft thermal control systems; supporting a range of projects with applications including Telecoms and Navigation, Earth Observation and Science, and Exploration. The responsibilities of the team typically span the full project life cycle from early conceptual design support through qualification and up to final delivery to the customer. In addition to undertaking thermal engineering activities, the team is leads a range of interesting Space Physics activities including atomic oxygen fluence analysis, aerobraking simulation, modelling thruster plume fluxes, and more.

Typically, the thermal engineering work of the department involves defining the concept design in cooperation with the project architects and designers, and creating a mathematical model representing the thermal properties of the system. The model is used to evaluate the design, through calculating the performance of the system, and to enable detailed definition of the hardware elements. In the latter part of a project lifetime, the emphasis moves from theoretical analysis to support-to-manufacture and test of the system.

The role for the intern is to support the varied work of the Thermal Analysis & Space Physics team across a range of missions. There will also be an opportunity to take ownership of several internal Process Improvement tasks with the support of a senior engineer.

What you will be doing:

During this internship, you will have the opportunity to support a range of activities such as:

• Broadening your knowledge and experience of thermal engineering, supporting analysis and testing campaigns for a range of exciting projects;
• Supporting a lead thermal engineer to build and maintain thermal models to customer requirements, to support sizing of the thermal control system and performing design trade-offs;
• Developing tools and analysis techniques to further improve the efficiency of the department;
• Gaining experience with using tools such as Microsoft Excel, Python, and a range of dedicated thermal and space physics software to perform engineering design and analysis.

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*

Ideally candidates would be undertaking a degree one the following areas (or similar): Physics, Engineering, Mathematics, Design/CAD, IT.

Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate the following:

• An interest in space is essential;
• Good problem solving and team working skills;
• Excellent presentation and written and verbal communication skills, including report writing;
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office.

Additional desirable skills for a candidate include:

• An ability to describe the thermal challenges faced by space missions and thermal management techniques available to ensure success;
• Experience of computational modelling and simulation;
• An advanced proficiency in Excel (ideally for the use of analysing results);
• Experience of programming; e.g. Python, Visual Basic.

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:

Fluid & Hydromechanics, Thermal <JF-EN-EF>

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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 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.