Ground Segment Systems Team Lead

Holt Executive; Oxford; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Visa sponsorship considered

Private healthcare

Relocation assistance

Life insurance

Job summary

Holt Executive seeks a senior Ground Segment Systems Team Lead to own architecture, requirements and baselines across multiple subsystems, and to drive end-to-end integration from design through operation. You will mentor a 4–6 engineer team and coordinate with mission operations, suppliers and internal stakeholders.

The role blends hands-on engineering with people management, supporting testing, deployment and ongoing support of complex space-ground systems.

Qualifications

• 5+ years' industry experience in design and development of satellite ground segment or user terminal systems.
• Experience with C/C++, Java and/or Python.
• Strong understanding of ground segment architectures and how different components interact.
• Experience leading or managing a small technical engineering team.
• Experience working alongside spacecraft or mission operations teams.

Responsibilities

• Own ground segment system architecture, requirements and technical baselines across multiple subsystems.
• Lead requirements capture, derivation, allocation, traceability and compliance.
• Define and lead integration, verification and validation activities, including end-to-end testing.
• Ensure consistency across interfaces, data flows, configuration and software releases.
• Provide technical leadership through design reviews, governance and subsystem acceptance.
• Support development of ground systems and software including mission control, planning and ground station interfaces.
• Define engineering approaches and support testing and delivery.
• Act as technical interface with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Support mission operations through troubleshooting, maintenance, training and issue resolution.
• Produce technical documentation and support planning, risk management and reporting.

Skills

C/C++

Java

Python

Ground segment architectures

Software development lifecycle

Education

Degree in Computer Science, Telecommunications, Engineering or related

Job description

An innovative organisation operating at the forefront of the space sector is seeking a Ground Segment Systems Team Lead to provide technical leadership across the development, integration and operation of critical ground segment systems.

This is a senior position offering significant autonomy, combining technical leadership, systems engineering and people management. You will work across the full ground segment lifecycle, from conceptual design and requirements through to integration, testing, deployment and operational support.

You will act as a key technical interface between systems engineering, ground segment software and mission operations teams, ensuring ground systems are robust, integrated and capable of supporting complex space missions.

The Role

• Owning ground segment system architecture, requirements and technical baselines across multiple subsystems.
• Leading requirements capture, derivation, allocation, traceability and compliance.
• Defining and leading integration, verification and validation activities, including end‑to‑end testing.
• Ensuring consistency across interfaces, data flows, configuration and software releases.
• Providing technical leadership through design reviews, technical governance and subsystem acceptance.
• Supporting the development of ground systems and software, including mission control, mission planning and ground station interfaces.
• Defining engineering and development approaches and supporting solution testing and delivery.
• Acting as the technical interface with suppliers and key internal stakeholders.
• Supporting mission operations through troubleshooting, maintenance, training and resolution of technical issues.
• Producing technical documentation and supporting planning, risk management and technical reporting.

Team Leadership

You will lead a small team of approximately 4–6 ground systems engineers, with responsibility for:

• Technical task planning, prioritisation and allocation.
• Reviewing and overseeing the team's technical output.
• Mentoring and developing engineers.
• Identifying skills and resource requirements.
• Supporting recruitment, interviews and onboarding.
• Conducting appraisals and probation reviews.
• Supporting technical engineering activities where required.

About You

• A degree in Computer Science, Telecommunications, Engineering or a related discipline.
• 5+ years' industry experience in the design and development of satellite ground segment or user terminal systems.
• Experience with C/C++, Java and/or Python.
• A strong understanding of ground segment architectures and how different components interact.
• Experience leading or managing a small technical engineering team.
• Experience working alongside spacecraft or mission operations teams.
• Understanding of project lifecycles and system acceptance processes.
• Knowledge of ECSS standards.
• Proven software development experience across requirements, design, development, integration, testing, deployment and maintenance.

Desirable Experience

• 2+ years' experience managing systems engineers.
• 8+ years' experience within satellite ground systems or user terminal technologies.
• Experience working within Scrum/Agile development environments.
• Experience with Mission Control Systems, particularly SCOS-2000.
• Knowledge of spacecraft communications protocols and standards such as CCSDS, CAN or SpaceWire.
• Experience working across the full mission lifecycle.

What's on Offer

• Hybrid working and flexible hours.
• Optional compressed working pattern.
• 25 days' holiday, increasing to 28 days with service, plus bank holidays.
• Private healthcare.
• Life insurance and long‑term sick pay.
• Visa sponsorship considered.
• Relocation assistance.
• Modern engineering and technical facilities.
• Professional development and career progression opportunities.
• Regular team and social events.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Ground Segment or Systems Engineer to take a significant technical leadership position, combining hands‑on engineering with team management and playing a key role in the delivery and operation of complex space systems.

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