Location: , United Kingdom
Employment Type: Full-time
Department: Systems, AOCS & Thermal Engineering
Job Reference: 2111
Visa Sponsorship: Available (UK Skilled Worker Visa supported)
Relocation Assistance: Available
About the Role
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Systems Team at Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL), leading space missions from LEO to GEO and beyond.
Engineers at SSTL are involved from concept development through AIT, launch, commissioning, and operational life — offering true cradle-to-grave mission experience and the rare opportunity to see your work operating in space within a rapid timeframe.
As a Systems Engineer, you will lead multidisciplinary technical teams, delivering innovative, high-quality, and pragmatic solutions for cutting-edge space missions.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as System Engineer / Technical Lead from contract negotiation to launch and operations
- Perform mission and system design for LEO, GEO, and deep space missions
- Conduct system-level design of space and ground segments
- Requirements analysis, sensitivity analysis, mission analysis & trade studies
- Develop concepts of operations
- Lead customer-facing meetings and technical presentations
- Prepare high-quality technical reports and documentation
- Support bid/tender activities with Sales & Engineering teams
- Lead and manage technical studies to meet cost, schedule, and performance targets
Required Experience
- Experience as Technical Lead on a space mission project
- Proven spacecraft Systems Engineering experience
- Experience designing missions from end-user requirements (cradle-to-grave preferred)
- Space and ground segment design to subsystem level
- Experience with requirements & verification management
- Ideally: spacecraft-level testing & commissioning experience
Qualifications & Technical Skills
Education
- Degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Physics, or Mathematics
Technical Knowledge
- Orbit analysis & constellation design
- RF link analysis & system budgets
- Satellite mechanical & electrical architectures
- Earth observation, communications & science missions
- FMECA & FDIR design
- Environmental testing (vibration, thermal vacuum)
- Assembly & test methods for flight hardware
- Requirements management
Tools
- STK
- MATLAB
- MS Word, Excel & PowerPoint
- MS Project (desirable)
Personal Skills
- Strong technical writing & presentation skills
- Ability to work under pressure & tight deadlines
- Excellent team collaboration skills
Location & Flexible Working
Based at SSTL Head Office in Guildford, with strong hybrid and flexible working options available.
Benefits Package
- 32 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays
- Pension Scheme with Life Assurance
- Private Medical & International Travel Insurance
- Annual Bonus Scheme
- Share Incentive Plan
- Enhanced Maternity, Paternity & Shared Parental Pay
- High Street Discount Scheme
- And more
Visa Sponsorship
SSTL supports UK Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship for eligible candidates. This makes the role highly suitable for qualified international applicants seeking employment in the UK space sector.
Why Apply?
This is a rare opportunity to:
- Lead real space missions end-to-end
- Work with one of the UK’s leading satellite manufacturers
- Gain hands-on involvement in cutting-edge aerospace innovation
- Secure UK visa sponsorship in a highly specialized engineering field
How to Apply
Interested candidates should apply directly through the official company careers page or the platform where this vacancy is advertised. Ensure your CV highlights:
