Airbus UpNext Spain - UAS Autonomy Architect (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 Autonomy Architect (M/F) position is within Airbus UpNext Spain, based in Getafe, starting ASAP. It is a limited contract linked to the delivery of the demonstrator, with an estimated completion date at the end of December 2028.

Main Responsibilities

• UAS Autonomy Architecture Design : Own and drive the design of a generic, modular, open systems hardware and software architecture that will host the flight autonomy functions for the demonstrator. Lead critical technology benchmarking and trade studies to inform key design decisions.
• Systems Integration, Validation & Verification : Oversee end‑to‑end systems integration, including the integration of new sensors and functions with existing hardware and software, up to their operation in flight tests. Contribute to defining and driving the Verification & Validation (V&V) strategy and plan to ensure all technical requirements are successfully met, including the development of an infrastructure to host real‑time models simulating virtual aircraft systems.
• Safety and Assurance : Lead the Safety Assurance strategy for the UAS autonomy architecture, 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 and opportunities affecting the development of the UAS autonomy architecture, implementing corrective and preventive actions agreed within project reviews.

What You Bring (Qualifications)

• Expertise in avionics architectures, airborne computing platforms and sensors, Flight Management and Guidance, Navigation and Control, and software‑intensive aerospace systems, preferably using a Model‑Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approach.
• Proven leadership experience in systems engineering environments, with a strong command of requirements management, system integration and V&V methodologies.
• Experience with certification frameworks, aerospace standards and operational approvals requirements, including the Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) framework for UAS and runtime Assurance (RTA) in safety‑critical systems.
• Design and operational knowledge of UAS.
• Understanding of AI technologies, Modular Open Systems Architectures (MOSA) principles, benefits, and implementation strategies is desirable.
• 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, a healthy skepticism for progress, and the ability to cope with short deadlines.
• Values of transparency, humility and empathy; autonomy, adaptability, availability and accountability.
• Readiness to step out of your comfort zone and willingness to have fun.

What You Get (Benefits)

• Pivotal role in a strategic mission and develop critical competences: play a key part in a project at the forefront of technology to enable UAS flight and open the way for complex missions.
• Build something that lasts: your work will create high‑value assets and learning contributions for Airbus’s future.
• Work on the edge of technology: explore disruptive technologies at their limits.
• 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.
• 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.
• The responsibilities and technical scope of the job may 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. We provide complimentary freshly ground coffee and beverages.

Employment Type: Fixed term

Experience Level: Professional

Job Family: Chief Engineering & Architecture

Required skills: Design, System Integration, V&V, Risk Management, MBSE, Safety Assurance, UAS knowledge. Required languages: English.

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.

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 committed to equal opportunities for all. 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.