Airbus is a global pioneer in the aerospace industry, specializing in the design, manufacture, and delivery of commercial aircraft, military transports, helicopters, and space systems. As one of the world's largest aerospace companies, it employs over 130,000 people globally and operates as a cornerstone of European industrial collaboration and technological innovation. Spain plays a vital role in Airbus's global operations, hosting major production and engineering centers in Getafe, Seville, and Cádiz. The company is a major employer for international talent in Spain, offering a multicultural work environment where English is the primary language for technical and management roles, alongside comprehensive relocation support for specialized engineering positions.

Airbus was established in 1970 as a European consortium to challenge the dominance of American aerospace manufacturers. It grew through the integration of major national aerospace companies from France, Germany, the UK, and Spain, including the merger with Spain's CASA in 1999.

Microwave Instrument System Engineer

Airbus Spain

Original Advert

Job Description:

The postholder will be responsible for the definition, engineering, performance estimate of active and passive microwave instruments for future Earth Observation space missions and the correspondent proposals for implementation. This includes passive microwave radiometers, synthetic aperture radars (SAR), altimeters, scatterometers, reflectometry and any innovative technique related to Earth observation by means of a microwave system. In particular the candidate will be engaged to the one or several of the current running studies in Airbus Defence and Space.

The successful applicant shall have strong technical knowledge and understanding of the end-to-end microwave instrument system. He/she shall be able to demonstrate experience in some or all of the following duties and responsibilities:

- Establishment of requirements, the definition and the assessment of performance of the running programs at Airbus Earth observation microwave instruments, taking into account mission, system and programmatic requirements.

- provision of expert support for the study of microwave payload aspects of current and future microwave instrument developments at department level.

- identification of major tradeoff for instrument / model concepts and contribution to the definition of different alternative for an instrument / concept design at system and sub-system level together with the associated instrument budgets.

- system engineering from initial concept studies to development phases, for remote sensing missions based on microwave instruments;

o analysis of mission requirements and translation into system requirements;

o allocation of system requirements to the elements of the end-to-end system architecture, derivation of requirements on elements;

o system analysis and design;

o establishment and closure of system budgets;

o maintenance of overall system coherence;

o selection and definition of the key technologies to be used for the proposed solution;

o identification and application of criteria for trade-off at system level;

o establishment of system development approach and of associated tools and facilities in coordination with the rest of the department;

o derivation of requirements on technology development to meet system requirements;

- definition of the on-board / on-ground data processing needs in order to derive the appropriate products, being compliant with the required quality specifications

- definition, initiation and management of industrial contracts encompassing instrument concepts or development of sub-system level equipment associated to a selected instrument architecture.

- Analysis of RF design, including array antennas (evaluation of radiation patterns, crosspolarization, isolation, etc.) and elaboration of RF budgets.

- Support to the overall end to end instrument performance budgets in coordination with the ground processing development activity.

- Participation in the definition and implementation of validation and verification approach (both, on-ground and in-orbit) for the current / future microwave instruments developments

- Interface with Airbus customers and participation in different review meetings.

- Participation in the elaboration of proposals for future Earth Observation active and passive instruments / missions.

- Technical coordination of an instrument development team including the required program disciplines.

- Proposal preparation including instrument development concept and the required industrialization

- Contribution to Airbus roadmaps in terms of microwave instruments development together with their associated technologies.

We are looking for candidates with the following skills and experience

- Educated to degree level in electric / electronic engineering or physics

- 3 years of experience in remote sensing microwave instruments development - English must be at negotiation level, written and spoken

- Fluent Spanish would be valued as a plus

- Strong knowledge of either active or passive microwave instrument concept (SAR, altimetry and /or radiometry)

- Strong knowledge of signal processing

- Knowledge of ESA program phases and development cycles

- Familiarity with passive / active microwave remote sensing techniques such as SAR's and experience in developing and using performance analysis models and tools are desirable

- Knowledge of space systems, active and passive antennas, RF engineering and standard electrical interfaces

- Experience on RF measurements on flight equipment using specific RF equipment

- Experience on the definition of a verification and validation campaign

- Able to effectively work within small teams as well as working autonomously

- Able to work in one or more projects managing the workload

- Able to lead and work in a multi-disciplinary, systems transnational environment.

- Experience in working in project and/or team environment is desirable

- International experience is considered an asset This role will involve frequent travel for business and as such you must be able to travel accordingly

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 SAU

Employment Type:

Permanent

-------

Experience Level:

Professional

Job Family:

Chief Engineering & Architecture

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.