PhD for On-board AI-based FDIR architectures for spacecraft systems - Airbus

Airbus | Immenstaad am Bodensee

Beschreibung : PhD for On-board AI-based FDIR architectures for spacecraft systems. Unternehmen : Airbus. Lage : Immenstaad am Bodensee

Job Description:

We are looking for a PhD candidate to join our Avionics Engineering & Lead department for Germany in Friedrichshafen.

We are looking for a PhD candidate to join our Avionics Engineering & Lead department for Germany (TESOF-1). TESOF1 focuses on 3 main areas: Mission Operations & FDIR, Functional Verification and Avionics Engineering Lead. We provide dedicated engineering services for Earth Observation, Science and Telecommunication missions. Our ways of working are mostly integrated within the mission project teams and contribute throughout the complete development cycle of our space missions, starting with early phase studies, all the way up to the launch and on-orbit mission operations.

The implementation of AI-based Failure Detection, Isolation and Recovery (FDIR) is the core of this position. Traditional FDIR methods based on models and signal processing might fail to detect faults that are below the pre-defined detection threshold and require additional hardware redundancy to detect faults. The design of the FDIR includes a trade-off between the maximization of autonomy and mission availability on one side, and satellite design and validation complexity on the other side. This latter being of particular importance since the FDIR is the last resource that guarantees the safety of the mission. Hence, a robust validation concept is paramount especially for Ai-based FDIR concepts.

The PhD candidate will work in close collaboration within the Astrone KI project. The challenging mission for SSSBs will be the main reference study case for the FDIR research topics for detailed implementation on a complex system. A team is set up within Airbus Defence and Space in Friedrichshafen with and this is complemented by the project consortium consisting of well-established institutes in the field of navigation (IfA) and guidance (iFR). This setup actively supports the research activities for practical applications.

The PhD is sponsored by Airbus in collaboration with TU Delft. Hence, the PhD candidate will be supported by a company supervisor for the day-to-day activities as well as by a university supervisor for achieving the research objectives.

Tasks

The objective of the PhD position is to define On-board AI-based FDIR architectures for satellite systems: from algorithm development to FDIR validation.

Following tasks have to be addressed:

  • Identify FDIR case studies for safety critical scenarios based on the previous Astrone project. Case study shall consider (but not necessarily be limited to)

    • Time series data and

    • Image data used by Vision-Based algorithms

  • Derive a baseline solution for the identified scenarios using traditional FDIR design techniques which are to be used as benchmark

  • Analyze how the diverse AI-techniques known in literature compare when considering the identified case studies. Select and justify the most suitable approach through the process of rapid experimentation and prototyping.

  • Evaluate the suitability of using continuous learning AI methods to address the task of FDIR

  • Define a robust verification and validation strategy for the AI component, potentially based on black-box, stochastic algorithm (e.g. a neural network). This task shall include the analysis of:

    • Methods to formally ensure predictable and quantifiable behavior of the developed models

    • Validation criteria to ensure robustness of the developed models to different scenarios (for example, but not limited to inference time, precision, max false positive rate)

    • Scalability of the developed solution (training vs operational environment)

    • How the testing, verification and validation datasets should be generated and the type of telemetry data that can be used (only simulated telemetry data, only real-time telemetry data or combinations).

This task should also focus on:

  • The clear definition of the AI training process

  • Fidelity of the telemetry generated by the digital models (or satellite simulators) needed in order to effectively train the AI algorithms

  • Design a development framework covering the entire lifecycle of the selected AI-based FDIR solution (from algorithm development and training to deployment on a potential target hardware platform to continuous verification and validation)

Qualifications

You have the following skills and qualifications:

  • Completed studies in Space Engineering, Data Science, Computer Science, Software Development or similar

  • Data Science, Development & Programming

    • Machine/deep learning frameworks (Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, Keras, PyTorch)

    • Experience in data exploration and interpretation, how to identify and model trends and deal with high dimensionality

    • Experience in at least one programming language (R, Python)

    • Experience with complex software environments and development frameworks (for example, acquire and process data from heterogeneous sources)

  • Good communication skills, a proactive mind-set

  • Fluent English. Advanced Negotiation level in German is a plus.

  • Ability to define and manage work packages autonomously and work in close collaboration with other team members.

  • Experience in the following areas is seen as a strong asset:

    • background in descriptive statistics (clustering, dimension reduction, distribution fitting) and inferential/predictive statistics (Machine Learning such as Neural Networks, SVM, Random-Forest)

    • Experience with research methods (for example, graph theory, numerical optimization, surrogate modeling) to address challenges beyond data analysis, with pragmatic solutions as well (splines modeling, dichotomy optimization)

Not a 100% match? No worries! Airbus supports your personal growth with customized development solutions.

You have a question regarding this job offer? Please do not hesitate to get in touch by writing to [email protected] .

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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 GmbH

Contract Type:

PHD, Research Contract / Doctorat, Contrat CIFRE / Doktorandenvertrag / Tesis doctoral

Experience Level:

Student / Etudiant / Student / Estudiante

Job Family:

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