Your space-enabled career begins here

Astroscale is seeking to employ an experienced and motivated Senior Spacecraft Systems Engineer at our facility based in Harwell, UK.

This is an exciting and unique opportunity to join our dynamic and rapidly growing company. If you are seeking to make a positive contribution to the growing problem of orbital debris that endangers mankind’s continued use of space as an asset then this role will allow you candidate to shape solutions for our missions from a Spacecraft Systems perspective.

As a senior member of the Systems Team, you role will be responsible for taking the lead on certain aspects of project work as well as mentoring other members of the team. Therefore you need to be a senior engineer with hands-on experience of working on spacecraft systems, and be at a level where you can come in and start contributing to the projects straight away.

Whilst you will primarily work in the UK at our new state of the art Harwell Office, you will also work extensively with a larger team in Astroscale’s Japan Office. You may be required to travel to Tokyo as needed in support of Astroscale projects and operations or elsewhere in Europe to consult with suppliers and support system testing.

Responsibilities

• Development of spacecraft mission and system design including requirements derivation.

• Overseeing the validation and verification of mechanical, propulsion and thermal aspects of the satellite at satellite and subsystem level.

• Performing mission analysis and modelling of spacecraft missions.

• Trade-off and control satellite platform budgets, especially mass budgets.

• Support the production of test and verification plans.

• Performing rapid feasibility studies into different scenarios and architectures.

• Assisting with bid work, providing technical solutions and documentation.

• Maintaining configuration control of systems work and documentation

• Working with and guiding a multi-disciplined team in the delivery of projects.

Essential Skills

• Diploma; bachelor or master’s degree in systems engineering, electrical engineering or another relevant discipline.

• At least 10+ years of commercial experience in a Systems Engineering role for satellite platform architecture.

• Knowledge of the systems and project engineering lifecycle from requirements definition through to verification, including experience of leading or planning for project review gates in satellite engineering e.g. SRR, PDR, CDR, etc.

• Proven experience in defining mechanical, thermal, and propulsion subsystem requirements for satellite systems.

• Strong understanding of systems engineering principles, satellite design constraints, and environmental testing approaches.

• Good knowledge of a range of subsystems & engineering teams including: GNC (AOCS, ADCS), astrodynamics, C&DH / OBDH, EPS, RCS (propulsion), COM (communications), software, ground segment & operations.

• Experience in the development of systems engineering documentation working with a Project Manager as needed: requirements, CONOPS, review gate materials, test and verification plans / procedures, DDVP, ICDs, equipment lists, FMECA & FTAs

• Awareness of the AIT process: manufacture, assembly, functional and environmental testing.

• A basic knowledge in the following areas: debris removal, end-of-life, in-orbit maintenance or servicing.

Desirable skills

• An understanding of, or experience in other project matters: project management, procurement, bid support, manufacturing.

• Knowledge of commonly used engineering and modelling packages (e.g. ModelSim, Matlab, STK) and/or coding and scripting languages (e.g. Python) applied to real world engineering applications.

• Knowledge of the area around debris removal including: licensing, export, regulation, space law.

• Knowledge of past missions of relevance: RemoveDebris, CleanSpace / ESA projects e.g. e.DeOrbit, DEOS, ATV, ETS-7

• Whilst the working language across all Astroscale divisions is English, proficiency in spoken and/or written Japanese would be considered an asset.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary

• Opportunity to work with a highly talented, diverse & dynamic international team with cutting edge technology

• Flexible working around core hours in a friendly and supportive environment

• Optional 9/75 working pattern

• Hybrid working available (dependent on individual role requirements)

• 25 days holiday (increasing yearly up to a maximum of 28 days) + 8 days Bank Holiday

• Life insurance and long-term sick pay

• Private healthcare (taxable benefit)

• Relocation allowance

• Visa sponsorship for employees considered

• New state of the art office and cleanroom facility

• Regular social events

Location

Astroscale UK (Harwell) ), with potential for some travel to Astroscale Japan (Tokyo)

About Astroscale

We aim to deliver cutting edge technologies that will become part of routine commercial space operations by 2030.

Astroscale is the first private company with a vision to secure the safe and sustainable development of space for the benefit of future generations, and the only company dedicated to in-orbit servicing across all orbits. Founded in 2013, we are developing innovative and scalable solutions across the spectrum of in-orbit servicing missions, including End of Life services, Active Debris Removal, In-situ Space Situational Awareness and Life Extension Services, to create sustainable space systems and mitigate against the hazardous build-up of debris in space.

Astroscale is an Equal Opportunities employer and embraces a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants, including minorities, women and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Note to recruitment agencies: Astroscale operates a preferred Supplier List, and we do not accept unsolicited agency approaches. Please do not forward candidate CVs or details in response to this advert, or to any Astroscale employee.