Microwave Radiometer RF Engineer (entry level)

Job Description:

An opportunity for a Junior RF Microwave Radiometer Engineer has arisen within Airbus Defence and Space, Getafe (Madrid).

The selected candidate will join the Microwave Instrument Engineering Team, a highly specialized and multidisciplinary group dedicated to cutting-edge microwave engineering for space-based Earth-observation missions. You will contribute directly to the definition, prototyping, validation, and integration of high-precision passive microwave payloads, participating across early feasibility studies, implementation phases, and payload delivery. As an early-career engineer, you will benefit from structured mentorship, technical training, and hands-on learning opportunities within an international space environment.

Responsibilities

The main tasks of the jobholder will be:

• RF Architecture & Budget Analysis: Translate payload mission requirements into equipment specifications and build RF link/system budgets (noise figure, noise temperature, gain, dynamic range, and sensitivity).
• Detailed Design & Simulation: Develop schematic and electromagnetic models for RF front-ends (receivers, LNAs, mixers, filters, detectors, and antenna-coupling networks) using tools such as HFSS, ADS, or CST Studio.
• Prototyping & Laboratory Testing: Assemble breadboards and prototypes; conduct hands-on laboratory characterization (S-parameters, phase stability, noise figure, gain) using advanced RF test instrumentation.
• AIT & Verification Support: Collaborate in payload Assembly, Integration, and Testing (AIT) as well as Verification and Validation (V&V) campaigns, ensuring compliance with space flight margins.
• Multidisciplinary Engineering Alignment: Work closely with mechanical, thermal, power, and digital engineering teams in technical trade-offs, formal design reviews, and technology readiness milestones.
• Technical Reporting & Proposals: Author engineering memos, test plans, and verification reports, while assisting the team in technical proposals for future active and passive Earth Observation instruments.

Skills

Is your profile aligned to the following list of skills? Apply! We are looking forward to getting to know you:

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Telecommunications Engineering, RF/Microwave Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Physics.
• Experience: Entry-level / Early-career (internships, academic projects, master's thesis, or initial professional experience in RF/microwave design or test).
• Technical Knowledge: Solid theoretical foundations in microwave circuit design (impedance matching, S-parameters, noise theory) and proficiency with RF simulation suites (Keysight ADS, ANSYS HFSS, or CST Studio).
• Soft Skills: High learning agility, rigorous analytical mindset, strong teamwork capabilities, and the adaptability to work in a collaborative, multifunctional engineering ecosystem.
• Languages: Advanced / Negotiation level in English (mandatory, written and spoken). Fluent Spanish is valuable; French or German is a plus.
• Valuable / Nice to Have:Programming and test automation skills (Python, MATLAB).Familiarity with space qualification standards (ECSS / ESA program phases), space environmental constraints (thermal/vacuum, radiation), or satellite payload architectures.Experience with requirement management workflows and standard laboratory instrumentation control.

Which Benefits Will You Have as an Airbus Employee?

At Airbus we are focused on our employees and their welfare. Take a look at some of our social benefits:

• Vacation days plus additional days-off along the year.
• Attractive salary.
• Hybrid model of working when possible.
• Collective transport service subject to working calendar/home location.
• Benefits such as life insurance, health insurance, employee stock options, retirement plan, or study grants.
• On-site facilities (among others): free canteen, kindergarten, medical office.
• Possibility to collaborate in different social and corporate social responsibility initiatives.
• Excellent upskilling opportunities and great development prospects in a multicultural environment.
• Option to access special rates in products & benefits.

#MYCYM

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.

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