PHD Position in Spacecraft GNC Engineering (d/f/m)

Job Description:

In order to support the AOCS/GNC & FD Analysis department, Airbus Defence and Space is offering an

PHD Position in Spacecraft GNC Engineering (d/f/m), title of thesis: Advanced Integrated Navigation and Sensor Fusion for Rendezvous and Close Proximity Spacecraft Operations

You are looking for a PHD position and would like to work on cutting edge GNC system design for complex missions? Then apply now! We look forward to you supporting us in the AOCS/GNC & FD Analysis department as a PhD (d/f/m)!

• Location: Friedrichshafen

• Start: 01.11.2026

• Duration: 3 years

The Department

The AOCS/GNC & Flight Dynamics Analysis department in Friedrichshafen is part of the transnational discipline in Airbus for Attitude and Orbit Control Systems (AOCS), Guidance/Navigation/Control (GNC), Flight Dynamics (FD), and control engineering for all kinds of systems. We develop both standardised as well as mission enabling AOCS/GNC & FD systems with the aim of living up to the customer expectations and delivering on quality, on time, and on cost. This includes research, design, development, verification and validation of the end2end AOCS/GNC & FD chain covering analyses, performance campaigns, tests on hardware-in-the-loop benches and supporting LEOP (Launch and Early Operations) as well as nominal mission operations. Our cutting-edge AOCS/GNC and Flight Dynamic systems serve Science, Earth Observation, Telecommunication and Navigation missions on to Constellations.

Your location

At the Airbus site in Friedrichshafen you will be working on innovation where others spend their holidays. Enjoy panoramic views of Lake Constance while having lunch in our canteen. And after work, join one of our many corporate sports groups to go running, sailing or skiing.

Your benefits

• 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.

Thesis Topic

As space missions evolve toward complex multi-agent systems and sophisticated on-orbit maneuvers, the demand for high-precision, autonomous navigation has never been greater. We are seeking a highly motivated and scientifically rigorous PhD candidate to join our R&D team in the AOCS/GNC and Flight Dynamics department.

This position is uniquely positioned at the intersection of industrial application and advanced research. The successful candidate will be integrated into a specialized R&D team working on a high-profile project in collaboration with the German Aerospace Center (DLR). This role offers the rare opportunity to conduct doctoral research that is directly aligned with strategic technological requirements of future space missions.

Research Scope & Responsibilities

The research will focus on developing robust integrated navigation solutions to support Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO). Your objective is to solve the challenges of robustly estimating the 6-Degree-of-Freedom (6-DoF) relative state of spacecraft during complex orbital interactions.

What We Offer

• High-Impact Research: The chance to work on technologies that are central to the strategic roadmaps of the European space ecosystem and its future mission profiles.

• Scientific Excellence: A unique opportunity to conduct doctoral research at the intersection of industrial application and academic rigor.

• State-of-the-Art Infrastructure: Access to advanced laboratory facilities, high-performance computing, and specialized hardware testbeds.

• Mentorship: Professional guidance from world-class GNC experts within a high-performance R&D environment.

As a PhD student you will learn about advanced estimation/navigation and multi sensor fusion, spacecraft rendezvous & proximity operation (RPO), real-time algorithm design and optimization, hardware-in-the-loop (HiL) validation, high-fidelity modelling and simulation

Your tasks and responsibilities

Algorithmic Development

Formulating advanced sensor data fusion frameworks (e.g., Extended/Unscented Kalman Filters, or Optimization-based methods) to integrate multiple sensor inputs.

Multi-Sensor Integration

Designing fusion architectures for diverse sensor suites, including optical cameras, LiDAR, Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), and other auxiliary sensors.

End-to-End Engineering

Executing the full research lifecycle:

• Mathematical modeling and theoretical derivation.

• High-fidelity software simulation and algorithm prototyping.

• Experimental validation and implementation within a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testbed.

Project Integration

Contributing to technical milestones in a project framework in collaboration with the DLR agency, ensuring research outputs meet the rigorous standards required for real mission profiles.

 Desired skills and qualifications

We are looking for a candidate with a strong foundation in aerospace engineering, robotics, or applied mathematics, possessing a passion for autonomous space systems.

• A Master’s degree (M.Sc.) in aerospace engineering, robotics, control engineering / cybernetics, electrical engineering, or a closely related field with a strong emphasis on Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) and/or estimation theory and application.

• Mathematical Proficiency: Deep understanding of stochastic processes, state estimation, and 3D geometry/kinematics.

• Technical Skills: Proficiency in programming languages used in research and industry, including MATLAB/Simulink.

• Analytical Mindset: The ability to translate abstract mathematical concepts into robust, deployable code.

• Bonus skills: Experience with computer vision or SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping). Previous exposure to flight software development or hardware testbed environments.

• Languages: English is mandatory (both written and spoken) and essential for technical documentation and professional reporting; German is an asset

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

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

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

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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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