INTERNSHIP 2021 - Satellite Battery Lifetime Prediction Tool (m/f)

Job description

Airbus Defence and Space SAS

Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2019 it generated revenues of € 70.5 billion and employed a workforce of around 134,000. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well as one of the world’s leading space companies. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide.

Our people work with passion and determination to make the world a more connected, safer and smarter place. Taking pride in our work, we draw on each other's expertise and experience to achieve excellence. Our diversity and teamwork culture propel us to accomplish the extraordinary - on the ground, in the sky and in space.

Job Description

What if you start your journey with us!

As part of a school curriculum in initial training , you are looking for a mandatory internship or integrated into a gap year that will allow you to validate your studies. The internship duration is 6 months maximum.

Are you passionate about Space? Handling Data is not a mystery for you? Are you willing to have fun in an innovative and disruptive environment? If the answer to the previous questions is yes then this offer might be your opportunity to learn and grow.

We offer you to work in a world-leading company which is at the heart of a digital transformation, at the cutting edge of research and innovation. We are looking for student of engineering school, master of engineering or equivalent who will be joining us at Airbus Defence & Space site in the electrical engineering department.

This internship is to be filled from April 2021 (hire dates are subject to a certain flexibility).

The activity aims at improving and predicting the lifetime of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellites. Did you know that such satellites stay operational in space for more than 10 years without any maintenance? Satellites are powered only by electrical sources (Solar Arrays during day and Batteries during eclipse phases). Today, one of the limiting factors of the lifetime of a spacecraft is the battery. Considering that the batteries on the spacecraft charge and discharge 14 times a day, can you imagine the challenge? What if your smartphone battery could last for more than 10 years? That would be great!

The ageing (degradation) of the battery depends on many parameters: spacecraft power, temperature, voltage, number of cycles, eclipse durations… Your job will consist in developing a tool that is able to estimate the accurate degradation of the spacecraft battery at the end of its lifetime. For that, you will need to analyse plenty of data available in our electrical engineering laboratory database, you will need to understand the conditions in which the spacecraft will operate and develop the algorithms that are able to predict in an accurate way the degradation of the battery at different mission phases.

The deliverable of your journey will be a validated tool that is able to predict the degradation of all our future spacecraft!

Tasks and Responsibilities :

You will be working under the supervision of your manager who will help you identify your professional objectives and support you in the development of your skills.

Your main activities will be to :

·  Understand battery lifetime conditions over the entire cycle of the satellite: from cell level to battery level and then to entire space life time,
·  Study the degradation mechanisms of the different electrochemical cells used for space missions,
·  Develop a generic tool (VBA, Python, Matlab…) where the user enters the life time conditions of the battery (power profiles, mission duration, orbit description…)  and the tool is able to predict the degradation,
·  Validate the tool by correlating the results with real cell test data at our Electrical Lab,
·  Perform the first use case with a real Satellite program.

Required skills :

You are preparing a Master Degree (Bac+5 ) in Engineering School or equivalent, with specialisation in Computer Science / Electrical Engineering / Space Engineering and you have the following competences:

·  High skills in Python , VBA & Matlab ,
·  Good knowledge of data handling and modelling,
·  Previous experience / knowledge in Battery modelling , Space Engineering,
·  Good knowledge of Electrical Engineering would be an asset,
·  Languages : advanced level in both French and English.

Soft skills:

·  Strong interpersonal and communication skills,
·  Rigorous, curious and autonomous,
·  Ability to work effectively in a team environment,
·  Organizational skills,
·  Able to analyse and synthesize information,
·  Willing to have fun.

You will develop the following skills:

·  Space engineering,
·  Space specific environment knowledge,
·  Spacecraft Telemetry/Telecomand data handling,
·  Energy storage system management,
·  Spacecraft Electrical Power System architecture,
·  Data processing,
·  Battery cells degradation mechanism,
·  Electrochemical cell test and modelling,
·  Software development.

Depending on the specifics of the offer, you may have to travel to another locations.

If your profile catches our attention, you will be invited to perform a video interview during which you will have a few minutes to tell us about your background, motivations and your professional project. Afterwards, your application could be proposed to the managers for further review.

If the prospect of joining our innovative Group motivates you do not hesitate and apply online on our website www.airbus.com/careers !

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.

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.