GNC Robotics Engineer Intern

**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:

In this internship you will become an integrated member of the GNC development team (around 8 people), learning from those around you how to design, develop and test GNC algorithms in a rover context, as well as all the activities required to support this - with development ranging from numerical simulation models to the sensor hardware interfaces on our prototype rovers. The key objective of the GNC algorithms for exploration rovers is autonomy. Hence, most of the functionalities we implement are there to enable the rover to navigate with as much on-board decision making as possible. The development of the algorithms is realised on Linux based computers, using different languages (C/C++, Python, Bash, ...). The use of the Robot Operating System (ROS) is more and more used for the prototyping activities in our team. Most of the testing is performed on 1:1 scale prototype rovers that we can test indoors (in the Mars Yard) or outdoors during the yearly Field Trials test campaign in a sand quarry. In parallel to testing the newly developed algorithms on prototypes, we are also testing all of the algorithms in our custom simulation environment.

The GNC Robotics team based at the Airbus Stevenage site is focused on the development of Space Exploration Rovers. The main missions the team have worked on in past years are the Sample Fetch Rover (part of the Mars Sample Return (MSR) programme) and the Rosalind Franklin Rover (part of the ExoMars Programme).

The team is quite young and is working in a fully implemented agile methodology, and are responsible for all stages of GNC algorithm development: design, development, test, validation, analysis and debugging. As well as simulation, our development activities often result in hands on testing in the Airbus Rover Test Facility (i.e. Mars Yard) where we can reproduce analog conditions of the surface of Mars.

**What you will be doing:

During this placement the activities you may undertake include:

• Learning how to develop enhanced GNC algorithms using industrial code standards;
• Testing the newly developed algorithms following specific test procedures;
• Analysing the results of the tests to characterise the performance of the algorithms;
• Be part of the Field Trials test campaign potentially in a sand quarry;
• Bring your personal academic knowledge to help the GNC team to remain at the state of the art.

**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*

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following:

• Studying towards a degree in Aerospace Engineering;
• Familiarity and experience in programming and scripting (in particular C/C++, Python, Bash);
• Knowledge and experience with Linux operating systems;
• Some interest and theoretical knowledge in control systems;
• Interpersonal skills (most of our activities require a great team spirit, with a mindset of speaking up, and sharing knowledge).

Some additional skills can be considered as a plus:

• Experience in hands on activities (e.g. robotics projects);
• Knowledge of ROS concepts;
• Experience with Version Control Systems, particularly git, used in a team environment;
• Space exploration culture (most of the people working in the space industry are passionate people about space);
• Background knowledge of Agile methodologies, in particular Scrum.

**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:

Vehicle Mission & Control [JF-EN-EU>

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