Supply Chain Space Systems Placement (12 months)

Job Description:

Start date: 19 July 2027

Location: Portsmouth

Duration: 12 months

Applications close on 25 October 2026! 

We love your interest in joining Airbus! There is no limit on the number of positions you can apply for, however, please be aware that you can only progress in the selection process for one position at a time. We recommend reviewing all available opportunities and applying to those that best match your experience and aspirations.

AI Guidance: We know you might be thinking about using AI to help you in your application - before you do, please read our guidelines on the use of AI for recruitment at Airbus https://www.airbus.com/en/careers/faqs#using-ai-in-your-application.

Benefits:

Salary: £24,500

37 hours per week // Flexible working hours // Hybrid working options available depending on the role // Half day Fridays!* // 25 days holiday plus bank holidays

*subject to completing full hours prior to this

About us: 

You will join the Payload Procurement team at our Portsmouth site, who are responsible for sourcing and managing high value sub-contracts for Radio Frequency (RF) hardware for Space Satellites. 

Activities range from market research, defining sourcing strategies, negotiating supplier contracts, managing on time delivery of hardware, resolution of non quality and supplier development for Airbus across a range of Telecommunication, Earth Observation and Navigation Satellites. 

Our placements give a unique insight into potential career paths within Airbus. They are designed so that you can put your theoretical knowledge into practice and gain crucial industry experience within a multinational environment, dealing with suppliers across the world. The skills and knowledge you gain will improve your chances of a future role within Airbus and should benefit your future studies. Guidance and supervision will always be available, but you will be given a large degree of freedom and responsibility to develop each project in your own way!

What you will be doing:

The Payload team has two areas of responsibility: 

Commodity Management, focusing on sourcing and procurement strategy. During your time you may undertake activities including:

• Provide support in Commodity Management tasks through active management of internal knowledge repositories;

• Provide support for market surveys, including documenting supplier data for capability, financial information, and organisation;
• Management of market cost database that could be used for both standard and non-standard products;
• Survey the market for upcoming conferences and highlight companies of potential interest;
• Support to tendering and supplier selection processes in line with business needs;
• Support development of commodity strategies in order to ensure short and long term competitiveness.

Supply Chain and Quality Management, focusing on contract execution and on time / on quality delivery of hardware. During your time you may undertake activities including:

• Support an SCQM to manage On Time and On Quality (OTOQ) from suppliers of complex and high value RF equipment for Telecommunications Spacecraft;
• Timely and accurate reporting and facilitation of appropriate technical interaction between internal experts and suppliers;
• Support the Vendor Review Board process, acting as the key interface between Supply Chain and Production Quality; 
• Lead a number of improvement projects to improve the Procurement ways of working.

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.

*Your application should include a CV along with a Cover Letter outlining your motivation and suitability for the role.*

Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate the following:

• Studying for a relevant Business, Project Management, Supply Chain, Logistics, or equivalent;
• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders;
• Ability to work independently;
• Pro-active attitude and positive engagement towards learning in a technical environment;
• Professional attitude that will be reflected towards external suppliers and internal stakeholders;
• Familiarity with Google workspace would be a benefit, but not essential. 

This Job Request will be allocated to the projected Joint-Venture scope towards a leading European player in space.

SECURITY CLEARANCE: You will be subject to a BPSS (Baseline Personnel Security Standard) check. You may also need to gain UK SC-level Security Clearance or Export Control, depending on the role.

Contact

Please let us know if you need us to make any adjustments to allow you to access and participate fully in the recruitment process. If you wish to discuss this further please contact us. Any information disclosed will be treated in the strictest confidence.

#UK_PLA

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:

Supplier Management

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