Airbus UpNext Spain - UAS Navigation Lead (m/f)

Job Description:

At Airbus UpNext, we fly future technologies at speeds well beyond what seems feasible today. We're looking for passionate individuals to join a new demonstrator that will shape the future, enabling safe operations of Uncrewed Aerial Systems in the most challenging operational contexts and paving the way for effective collaboration between crewed and uncrewed vehicles in complex missions. 

As part of a fast-paced, agile team, your mission will be to enable UAS to intelligently react to unforeseen situations and adverse external conditions, so as to preserve the integrity of the flight and achieve its  operational objectives.

If you have a burning desire to make an impact and want to work in a startup-like environment backed by the strength of Airbus, this is your opportunity to fly the most challenging missions anytime, anywhere.  

The UAS (Uncrewed Aerial Systems) Navigation Lead (M/F) position is within Airbus UpNext Spain, based in Getafe, starting ASAP, and it consists of a limited contract linked to the deliverable of the demonstrator - estimated completion date end of December 2028.

 

Main responsibilities

Robust Navigation Function: Lead the end-to-end design and integration of resilient, GNSS-denied navigation systems, leveraging multi-sensor fusion (vision, IMU, etc.) for both absolute cruise and relative landing operations. Drive the benchmarking and IV&V of high-integrity navigation algorithms through advanced SIL/HIL simulation, ensuring performance meets strict accuracy and safety standards in contested environments.

UAS Autonomy Architecture Interface: Own and drive the design and validation of the interfaces between the Navigation function and the broader flight stack, including  Flight Management Functions, and Flight Control.

Systems Integration, Validation & Verification: Direct the end-to-end integration and deployment of high-performance navigation sensors and computing platforms, overseeing the transition from initial bench testing to live flight operations. Define the IV&V strategy and flight test plans, leveraging real-time HIL/SIL simulation infrastructure to ensure all navigation requirements and technical standards are fully validated.

Safety and Assurance: Lead the Safety and Assurance Strategy for the Navigation function, ensuring a robust approach to hazard analysis, mitigation, and the overall system safety case.

Knowledge Capitalization & Handover: Contribute to the analysis and capitalization of all technical data, ensuring a complete and valuable technical handover of all project learnings and operational assets at completion.

Risks & Opportunities: Identify and analyze risks & opportunities affecting the development of the navigation function, implementing corrective and preventive actions agreed within the project reviews.

Your boarding pass

What you bring:

• Expert knowledge of multi-sensor navigation technologies (GNSS, Vision-Based, Inertial) and the design of robust data fusion algorithms. Proven ability to architect PNT (Positioning, Navigation, and Timing) solutions for complex aerospace environments, utilizing Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and high-integrity data management.

• Demonstrated proficiency in modular design principles and open standards such as All Source Positioning and Navigation (ASPN). Expertise in deploying flexible navigation architectures on embedded computing platforms to enable rapid integration of new capabilities and hardware.

• Strong command of the full systems engineering lifecycle, including requirements management and IV&V methodologies. Extensive experience in system integration using SIL/HIL simulation environments.

• In-depth knowledge of aerospace certification standards and operational approval frameworks. Specific expertise in the SORA (Specific Operations Risk Assessment) framework and its application to autonomous UAS and safety-critical navigation systems.

• Demonstrated ability to work in multi-disciplinary engineering teams, manage technical risks and make critical decisions in a fast-paced, agile technology development environment.

• A holistic, "big picture" systems thinking mindset with strong synthesis capacity and ability to translate high-level objectives into a concrete technical roadmap and complete set of detailed requirements.

• Strong English communication skills to champion the project’s technical vision to stakeholders and sponsors.

• Eagerness to take initiatives to propose simpler and efficient ways of working. Impatience and burning desire to attain rapidly, along with a healthy skepticism for progress. Ability to cope with short deadlines.

• Values of transparency, humility & empathy. Autonomy, adaptability, availability & accountability. Readiness to step out of your comfort zone. Willingness to have fun.

What you get:

• Pivotal Role in a Strategic Mission: play a key part in a project at the forefront of the development of technology.

• Build Something that last: Your work will create high-value assets 💎 and learning contribution for Airbus’s future.

• Develop Critical Competences: Acquire and develop a sound background in UAS flight systems and technologies, a field essential for the future of aerospace. This experience can provide a unique career development opportunity within Airbus.

• Work on the Edge of Technology: Explore disruptive technologies at their limits, deepening your knowledge of advanced airborne hardware and software.

• Agile and Empowering Environment: Thrive in a work culture that empowers you to act and think like a start-up while being supported by the strong expertise of Airbus. 💪🏻 We value an eagerness to take initiative and propose efficient ways of working.

• A Great Team and Culture: Be part of a high-achieving, experienced and fun team in a shared open-space office with highly skilled colleagues. We are guided by the “Care for Each Other” value.

• The responsibilities and the technical scope of the job might evolve according to the agile working environment of the project, so being flexible is important.

• Flexibility & Fun: Enjoy the ability to craft your calendar 🗓️ with flexible hours and the opportunity to work remotely, alongside regular UpNext community bonding events. And yes, we have complimentary freshly ground coffee ☕ and beverages 🧃

About us

Founded in 2017, Airbus UpNext focuses on flying future technologies at speeds well beyond what seems feasible today. In doing so, it is actively shaping the future of the aerospace industry.

Designed as a talent incubator, Airbus UpNext is a place where you can act and think like a startup while building on the strong expertise of Airbus, a place where you are empowered to test & challenge new processes and ways of working.

Airbus UpNext’s demonstrators evaluate, mature and validate potential new products and services that encompass radical technological breakthroughs. It has three flagships locations in France, Germany and Spain, to rapidly develop and test future technologies in scaled applications.

Our mission is:

• To identify the trends that could disrupt the future of the aerospace industry and evaluate them to demonstrate their potential as a viable product.

• To accelerate traditional research cycles and prototype development to achieve proof of concept in a real environment and at a convincing scale and speed.

• To develop real-world applications for emerging aerospace technologies, thereby driving their maturity and increasing their value.

• To be THE reference for Technology Value Assessment

Our Values: #Be Simple #Be Audacious #Be Open #Speed of Execution, #Caring for Each Other

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 UpNext S.L.

Employment Type:

Fixed term

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Experience Level:

Professional

Job Family:

Vehicle Mission & Control

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