Associate Space Software Engineer

Imperial College London; Greater London; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

World-leading centre

Publications & presentations

Career support

Leave and pension

Inclusive culture

Job summary

Imperial College London invites applications for a full-time fixed-term data engineer role in the Space Magnetometer Lab. You will help develop data pipelines and visualisations for space missions, working with flight-grade hardware in a laboratory setting and collaborating with external partners.

Based at South Kensington, the role may involve travel within the UK and internationally. The position ends on 31 March 2027, with a competitive salary and a supportive environment encouraging

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development of a new data pipeline to manage large-scale data streams from nine HelioSwarm magnetometers
• Develop and enhance high-quality data visualisations to support engineers and scientists
• Contribute to both open-source software (GitHub) and the management of proprietary software, with support from a senior team member
• Transform real-time data streams into high-quality scientific outputs for Solar Orbiter, IMAP, and HelioSwarm missions

Job description

Salary or Salary range: £42,505 - £47,213 per annum

Posting End Date: 23 Aug 2026

About the role

The Space Magnetometer Lab at Imperial College London is a world-leading centre of excellence in space instrumentation. The team designs, builds and operates magnetic field instruments, such as those currently flying on ESA’s Solar Orbiter and JUICE missions, NASA’s IMAP mission, and in development for ESA Vigil and NASA HelioSwarm.

Rapid and reliable management of data from both spacecraft and laboratory systems is critical to the scientific return of these missions.

We are entering an exciting phase of development for NASA’s HelioSwarm mission: a constellation of nine spacecraft, each carrying an Imperial magnetometer, designed to investigate the fundamental properties of plasma turbulence and due to launch in 2030. You will join the team developing these instruments and supporting the operation of IMAP and Solar Orbiter in flight, working alongside experienced engineers and scientists.

What you would be doing

You will:

• Contribute to the development of a new data pipeline to manage large-scale data streams from nine HelioSwarm magnetometers
• Develop and enhance high-quality data visualisations to support engineers and scientists
• Contribute to both open-source software (GitHub) and the management of proprietary software, with support from senior team member

You will also help extend and maintain our existing portfolio of 50+ data pipelines and web systems supporting the Solar Orbiter and IMAP missions — transforming real-time data streams into high-quality scientific outputs.

From an early stage, you will work directly with flight-grade space hardware in our lab, developing hands‑on experience with instrumentation that will ultimately be launched into space.

What we are looking for

We are looking for someone to help extend and maintain our existing portfolio of 50+ data pipelines and web systems supporting the Solar Orbiter and IMAP missions — transforming real-time data streams into high-quality scientific outputs.

This role involves significant collaboration with external partners and may require travel within the UK and internationally (including the USA).

What we can offer you

• The opportunity to work in a world-leading centre of excellence.
• Involvement in publications, conference presentations and future grant applications.
• Access to Imperial’s sector-leading career support, as well as opportunities for promotion and progression.
• A sector-leading salary and remuneration package, including 41 days’ leave per year and generous pension schemes.
• A diverse, inclusive and collaborative working culture, with staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing.

Further information

The position is available immediately.

This is a full-time, fixed term role, due to end on the 31st of March 2027 based at our South Kensington campus.

The Department of Physics is proud to hold an Athena SWAN Silver Award, recognising our commitment to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and thriving community. We value the strength that comes from diverse perspectives, and we warmly welcome applications from talented people of all backgrounds, and particularly those underrepresented in physics, to join our vibrant community supported by initiatives that promote collaboration, inclusivity, and professional development.

Find out more about our inclusive environment.