INSTRUMENT ELECTRONICS LEAD (SPACE SYSTEMS)

Satlantis; Bilbao; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

SATLANTIS in Bilbao invites an Instrument Electronics Lead to steer the complete electronics architecture of a space instrument. You will coordinate subsystems, interfaces, and integration activities, ensuring coherence with system requirements and mission objectives.

As the technical reference for electronics, you will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and external partners across ESA-type programmes, oversee AIT/EGSE activities, and drive risk-aware decisions to deliver a robust and

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in space electronics engineering.
• System engineering mindset and cross‑disciplinary collaboration.
• Knowledge of space instrument architectures and interfaces.
• Experience coordinating multiple stakeholders and external partners.
• Fluent English and Spanish communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead the electronics engineering of the instrument and ensure system alignment.
• Define electrical interfaces, EMC considerations, and integration activities.
• Coordinate subsystems, interfaces, and EGSE/AIT activities.
• Support qualification campaigns and risk management.

Skills

Space electronics

System engineering

Interface management

Leadership

Job description

Lead the electronics architecture behind one of Europe’s next scientific space missions

At SATLANTIS, we develop advanced space technologies that enable ambitious scientific and Earth observation missions. As part of a new role assigned by ESA within one of our flagship scientific programmes, you will lead the electronics engineering of a cutting-edge space instrument from system perspective.

As Instrument Electronics Lead, you will become the technical reference for all electronics activities, coordinating subsystems, interfaces, external partners, and integration activities to ensure the instrument performs successfully throughout its development lifecycle.

What’s in it for you

• Own the electronics at system level: You will lead the complete electronics architecture of a complex space instrument, ensuring consistency across every subsystem and interface.
• Contribute to a high-profile ESA scientific programme: Your work will directly support one of Europe’s most ambitious scientific space missions.
• Technical leadership: You will become the focal point for electronics engineering, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and external partners throughout the programme.
• Broad engineering exposure: You will work across systems engineering, integration, verification, EMC, interfaces, EGSE, and mission-level coordination.
• International collaboration: You will interact with leading space organisations, industrial partners, and international engineering teams.
• High-impact decision making: Your technical judgement will help minimise risks, optimise system performance, and support key programme decisions.
• Continuous professional growth: You will strengthen your expertise by working on one of the most technically demanding phases of instrument development.

Your mission

Your mission will be to ensure the successful development of the instrument’s electronics by providing technical leadership across all electronic subsystems, interfaces, and integration activities.

By coordinating multidisciplinary teams, managing technical interfaces, and maintaining system coherence, you will help deliver a reliable scientific instrument capable of supporting a world-class space mission.

You will:

• Lead the overall electronics engineering of the instrument, coordinating subsystem activities and ensuring alignment with system requirements and mission objectives.
• Define and manage electrical interfaces, EMC compliance, EGSE activities, and electronics contributions to integration, verification, and validation campaigns.
• Identify technical risks, support system budgets, and collaborate with internal teams and external partners to ensure successful programme execution.

What will set you up for success

• 3+ years of experience in space electronics engineering: Experience working on space systems or payload electronics will allow you to quickly understand the programme’s technical challenges.
• System engineering mindset: Looking beyond individual electronic units and understanding how subsystems interact will help you make sound technical decisions.
• Knowledge of space instrument architectures: Familiarity with payload electronics, interfaces, integration, and verification activities will enable you to coordinate the complete electronics discipline.
• Interface management skills: Your ability to coordinate multiple stakeholders and technical interfaces will be essential for maintaining system consistency.
• Experience with AIT and EGSE environments: Understanding integration, testing, and ground support equipment will help you support successful qualification campaigns.
• Strong communication skills: Fluent English and Spanish will allow you to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary and international engineering teams.
• Ownership and leadership: Taking responsibility, anticipating risks, and driving technical alignment across different teams will be key to succeeding in this position.

Experience that will help you stand out

• Previous experience as an Electronics System Engineer or Electronics Lead.
• Experience in ESA or other international space programmes.
• Familiarity with ECSS standards and space engineering processes.
• Experience coordinating external suppliers and subcontractors.
• Exposure to payload development, optical instruments, or scientific missions.

Ready to lead the electronics behind the next generation of space instruments?

If you are motivated by technical leadership, complex engineering challenges, and the opportunity to contribute to a groundbreaking scientific mission, SATLANTIS offers the chance to play a key role in the future of space exploration.

Join us and help build the electronics that will power tomorrow’s scientific discoveries.