Principal Systems Engineer

Holt Executive; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A pioneering space technology company in Oxford is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to contribute to advanced in-space systems development. The role involves defining system architectures, managing development schedules, and performing complex analyses within budget constraints. Qualified candidates should have over 9 years of experience in systems engineering, particularly with spacecraft systems. The position also includes opportunities for leadership in exciting space missions, offering a comprehensive benefits package including stock options and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Stock options

Private healthcare

Learning & development fund

Hybrid & flexible working

Qualifications

• Experience across the full spacecraft lifecycle.
• Ability to generate verification and validation plans.
• Deep knowledge in spacecraft systems and avionics.

Responsibilities

• Define system architecture for spacecraft.
• Perform analysis and modelling of spacecraft systems.
• Manage development schedules and system requirements.
• Control and trade-off platform systems budgets.
• Develop mission-level test and verification plans.

Skills

Leadership and collaboration

Systems engineering

Problem-solving

Technical leadership

Analytical skills

Education

9+ years of systems engineering experience

Tools

FMECA

Design budgets

Job description

We are seeking an exceptional Principal Systems Engineer to join a pioneering team developing next-generation in-space systems. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to complex space missions, including full spacecraft lifecycle development from concept through prototyping, detailed design, integration, testing, launch, and operations.

About the Role

As Principal Systems Engineer, you will provide expert insight, practical problem-solving, and technical leadership across multiple flight development programmes. You will work closely with colleagues and partners across Europe to establish robust system architectures, define clear requirements, and enable innovative satellite servicing missions.

You will draw on your breadth of experience developing complex systems within budget and on schedule, bringing passion for space systems engineering, whether across large or small space missions, or other technically challenging projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Define system architecture for spacecraft, interfacing with all subsystem leads, external partners, and key suppliers
• Perform analysis and modelling of spacecraft systems
• Manage development schedules, system requirements, and design budgets
• Guide systems engineering processes and facilitate technical trades across disciplines
• Control and trade-off platform systems budgets (mass, power, data, fuel)
• Perform top-level mission analysis and support the development of internal tools
• Produce mission-level test and verification plans, FMECA, and FDIR
• Coordinate rapid feasibility studies into different scenarios and architectures
• Maintain configuration control of systems work and documentation
• Support proposal writing from a systems engineering perspective

Qualifications & Experience

• 9+ years of systems engineering experience across the full spacecraft lifecycle
• Proven leadership and collaboration with space systems engineering teams
• Experience generating verification and validation plans and executing qualification campaigns
• Deep knowledge in one or more of the following:
  • Spacecraft systems & avionics
  • Sensors and optical systems
  • Flight software development
  • Orbital mechanics
  • Structures and mechanisms
  • Propulsion systems and fluid components
  • Spacecraft operations

Desirable Skills

• Experience in startup or high-growth environments
• Experience on European-wide missions with multinational consortiums
• Understanding of the spacecraft supply chain
• Experience with both low and high budget space system development

Benefits

• Stock options
• Private healthcare (for you and your family)
• Bespoke learning & development fund
• Hybrid & flexible working
• & much more!