**Job Description:**In order to support the technology development and product improvement for future satellite navigation payloads, Airbus Defence and Space is looking for aPhD student in the field of Advanced Navigation Payloads (d/f/m)*You are looking for a PhD and want to get to know the work of a job title? Then apply now! We look forward to you supporting us in the Navigation Payload Engineering department (TSEDA8) as a PhD Candidate (d/f/m)!Location: Taufkirchen*Start: 01.04.2026*Duration: 3 years*Your location*Our site is just a stone's throw away from Munich, the beautiful capital of Bavaria. Are you into sports and other outdoor activities? The Alps and Lake Starnberg are within an hour’s reach, offering a multitude of recreational options.Your benefits*An exciting topic with the potential that your found solutions will become state-of-the-art to be implemented in next generation navigation/telecom satellitesAttractive salary and work-life balance with an 35-hour week (flexitime)International environment with the opportunity to network globallyWork with modern/diversified technologiesAt 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 meetingsOpportunity to participate in the Generation Airbus Community to expand your own networkYour tasks and responsibilities*Airbus Defence and Space is currently designing and manufacturing the second-generation of Galileo satellites. The digital processed navigation payload with active antenna is in charge of generating the GNSS signal with low distortions in order to meet the challenging Signal-In-Space (SiS) performance requirements.This PhD thesis is aiming towards the next batch of G2 payloads with the overall objective to support reducing payload Size, Weight and Power (SWaP), simplifying RF performance requirements towards amplifiers and antenna, improving SiS performance and enhancing on-board autonomous detection of failure and signal impairments.In order to approach those objectives, the PhD thesis tasks may includeAnalysis and Improvement of Digital BeamformingAnalysis of architectural conceptsDefinition for an efficient Beamforming processing with particular need for low distortions and robustness to RF chain and Navigation Antenna performance variationsAnalysis and Improvement of advanced On-Board autonomous signal distortion equalisation techniquesRepresentative modelling, in particular for non-linear, frequency dependent channel characteristics of high-power amplifiersAnalysis of concepts and definition of improved equalisation technique for GNSS signals in digital beam-formed payloadImprove knowledge of specific performance topics of new G2 signals (e.g. understanding SiS performance for small bandwidth signal)Modelling of navigation signal generator, beamforming, equalisation, RF payload and navigation antennaDevelopment of Matlab-based simulatorValidation on hardwareImplementation in Hardware, Software and FPGA and ValidationTrade-offs for Space Implementation incl functional architecture with space-grade FPGAsImplementation in COTS hardware, FPGA and softwareValidation with on-ground demonstratorDesired skills and qualifications*Masters’ Degree in the area of Electrical Engineering, Communication and Signal Processing, Mathematics, Physics or an equivalent field of studyFluent in English, fluency in German would be a plusFirst practical experience in the field of Satellite Communication or Satellite Navigation is desirableDeep Knowledge of digital signal processing and RF channel modelling would be a key assetThe skill to transform candidate signal processing and RF-chain models efficiently into clean Matlab scripts for sensitivity analysis is keyPreferably good knowledge of GNSS signalsPreferably hands-on with FPGA programming, ideally VHDL know-howPlease upload the following documents: *cover letter, CV, relevant transcripts, enrolment certificate.*Not a 100% match? No worries! Airbus supports your personal growth.Take your career to a new level and apply online now!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 GmbHEmployment Type:*PHD, ResearchExperience Level:*StudentJob Family:*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.Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to .At Airbus, we support you to work, connect and collaborate more easily and flexibly. Wherever possible, we foster flexible working arrangements to stimulate innovative thinking.