PhD student (dfm) in the field of Advanced Navigation Payloads

Job Description :

In order to support the technology development and product improvement for future satellite navigation payloads Airbus Defence and Space is looking for a

PhD student in the field of Advanced Navigation Payloads (d / f / m)

You are looking for a PhD and want to get to know the work of a job title Then apply now! We look forward to you supporting us in the Navigation Payload Engineering department (TSEDA8) as a PhD Candidate (d / f / m)!

Location : Taufkirchen

Start : 01.04.2026

Duration : 3 years

Your location

Our site is just a stones throw away from Munich the beautiful capital of Bavaria. Are you into sports and other outdoor activities The Alps and Lake Starnberg are within an hours reach offering a multitude of recreational options.

Your benefits

An exciting topic with the potential that your found solutions will become state-of-the-art to be implemented in next generation navigation / telecom satellites.

Attractive salary and work-life balance with an 35-hour week (flexitime).

International environment with the opportunity to network globally.

Work with modern / diversified technologies.

At Airbus we see you as a valuable team member and you are not hired to brew coffee instead you are in close contact with the interfaces and are part of our weekly team meetings.

Opportunity to participate in the Generation Airbus Community to expand your own network.

Your tasks and responsibilities

Airbus Defence and Space is currently designing and manufacturing the second-generation of Galileo satellites. The digital processed navigation payload with active antenna is in charge of generating the GNSS signal with low distortions in order to meet the challenging Signal-In-Space (SiS) performance requirements.

This PhD thesis is aiming towards the next batch of G2 payloads with the overall objective to support reducing payload Size Weight and Power (SWaP) simplifying RF performance requirements towards amplifiers and antenna improving SiS performance and enhancing on-board autonomous detection of failure and signal impairments.

In order to approach those objectives the PhD thesis tasks may include :

Analysis and Improvement of Digital Beamforming

Analysis of architectural concepts

Definition for an efficient Beamforming processing with particular need for low distortions and robustness to RF chain and Navigation Antenna performance variations

Analysis and Improvement of advanced On-Board autonomous signal distortion equalisation techniques

Representative modelling in particular for non-linear frequency dependent channel characteristics of high-power amplifiers

Analysis of concepts and definition of improved equalisation technique for GNSS signals in digital beam-formed payload

Improve knowledge of specific performance topics of new G2 signals (e.g. understanding SiS performance for small bandwidth signal)

Modelling of navigation signal generator beamforming equalisation RF payload and navigation antenna

Development of Matlab-based simulator

Validation on hardware

Implementation in Hardware Software and FPGA and Validation

Trade-offs for Space Implementation incl functional architecture with space-grade FPGAs

Implementation in COTS hardware FPGA and software

Validation with on-ground demonstrator

Desired skills and qualifications

Masters Degree in the area of Electrical Engineering Communication and Signal Processing Mathematics Physics or an equivalent field of study.

Fluent in English fluency in German would be a plus .

First practical experience in the field of Satellite Communication or Satellite Navigation is desirable.

Deep Knowledge of digital signal processing and RF channel modelling would be a key asset

The skill to transform candidate signal processing and RF-chain models efficiently into clean Matlab scripts for sensitivity analysis is key

Preferably good knowledge of GNSS signals

Preferably hands-on with FPGA programming ideally VHDL know-how

Please upload the following documents : cover letter CV relevant transcripts enrolment certificate.

Not a 100% match No worries! Airbus supports your personal growth.

Take your career to a new level and apply online now!

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity as the foundation for the Companys success reputation and sustainable growth.

Company :

Airbus Defence and Space GmbH

Employment Type : PHD Research

Experience Level : Student

Job Family :

Computing&Comm and Info& Data Processing

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 .

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.

Key Skills

Anti Money Laundering,Access Control System,Catering,Assessment,Communication

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1