Senior Command & Data Handling Engineer

Holt Executive; Wytham; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Private healthcare

Life assurance

Relocation support

Modern facilities

Job summary

Holt Executive is seeking an experienced Senior Command & Data Handling Engineer to lead the spacecraft C&DH subsystem design and verification across the full lifecycle. You’ll shape avionics architecture, manage data handling budgets and collaborate with flight software teams to ensure robust interfaces and services for future spacecraft missions.

The role offers hybrid working, opportunities to influence multiple subsystems, and exposure to cutting-edge onboard processing and spaceflight

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• 5+ years' experience developing Command & Data Handling systems for spacecraft.
• Strong understanding of spacecraft avionics architectures and onboard data handling systems.
• Experience working with industry-standard spacecraft interfaces including CCSDS, SpaceWire, CAN, I²C and RS422.
• Experience developing and executing spacecraft subsystem verification and test programmes.
• Good systems engineering knowledge with experience managing requirements throughout the project lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development and delivery of spacecraft Command & Data Handling (C&DH) subsystems.
• Define, review and maintain subsystem requirements, interface definitions and technical documentation.
• Develop verification strategies, test plans and acceptance criteria for subsystem and spacecraft-level validation.
• Define and manage onboard data handling, processing and communications budgets.
• Support Failure Mode, Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) and Fault Detection, Isolation and Recovery (FDIR) activities.
• Collaborate with systems engineering and other subsystem teams to develop Concept of Operations (ConOps), Interface Control Documents (ICDs) and verification plans.
• Plan and execute subsystem and system-level verification activities, including electrical and environmental testing.
• Review electronic circuit and PCB designs to ensure suitability for spacecraft applications.
• Support supplier selection, technical trade studies and design reviews throughout the equipment procurement lifecycle.
• Define, implement and validate telemetry and telecommand interfaces between onboard systems and the ground segment.
• Contribute to spacecraft avionics architecture, including processor selection, data bus architecture, redundancy concepts and fault-tolerant design.
• Work closely with flight software engineers to define onboard software interfaces and data handling functionality.
• Support anomaly investigation, root-cause analysis and corrective actions during integration, test and mission operations.

Skills

Spacecraft avionics

Systems engineering

Requirement management

Telemetry & Telecommand

FMECA/FDIR awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

SpaceWire

CCSDS

CAN

I2C

RS-422

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Command & Data Handling Engineer to join a growing spacecraft engineering team developing advanced satellite platforms for complex space missions.

This role offers the opportunity to work across the full spacecraft lifecycle, from early concept and architecture through detailed design, integration, verification, environmental testing and mission support. Working within a multidisciplinary engineering team, you will play a key role in shaping the spacecraft avionics architecture and ensuring robust command and data handling capabilities across the platform.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development and delivery of spacecraft Command & Data Handling (C&DH) subsystems.
• Define, review and maintain subsystem requirements, interface definitions and technical documentation.
• Develop verification strategies, test plans and acceptance criteria for subsystem and spacecraft-level validation.
• Define and manage onboard data handling, processing and communications budgets.
• Support Failure Mode, Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) and Fault Detection, Isolation and Recovery (FDIR) activities.
• Collaborate with systems engineering and other subsystem teams to develop Concept of Operations (ConOps), Interface Control Documents (ICDs) and verification plans.
• Plan and execute subsystem and system-level verification activities, including electrical and environmental testing.
• Review electronic circuit and PCB designs to ensure suitability for spacecraft applications.
• Support supplier selection, technical trade studies and design reviews throughout the equipment procurement lifecycle.
• Define, implement and validate telemetry and telecommand interfaces between onboard systems and the ground segment.
• Contribute to spacecraft avionics architecture, including processor selection, data bus architecture, redundancy concepts and fault-tolerant design.
• Work closely with flight software engineers to define onboard software interfaces and data handling functionality.
• Support anomaly investigation, root-cause analysis and corrective actions during integration, test and mission operations.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• 5+ years' experience developing Command & Data Handling systems for spacecraft.
• Strong understanding of spacecraft avionics architectures and onboard data handling systems.
• Experience working with industry-standard spacecraft interfaces including CCSDS, SpaceWire, CAN, I²C and RS422.
• Experience developing and executing spacecraft subsystem verification and test programmes.
• Good systems engineering knowledge with experience managing requirements throughout the project lifecycle.

Desirable Experience

• Spacecraft integration, verification and environmental testing.
• Flight hardware handling within cleanroom environments.
• GNSS timing and synchronisation for spacecraft.
• Radiation tolerance analysis and radiation assurance for space electronics.
• Digital spacecraft electronics and avionics architectures.

What's on Offer

• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge spacecraft programmes.
• Hybrid working with flexible hours and optional 9/75 working pattern.
• Private healthcare and life assurance.
• Relocation support may be available.
• Modern engineering and laboratory facilities.
• Collaborative, multidisciplinary engineering environment with genuine technical ownership.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced spacecraft avionics engineer looking to take ownership of Command & Data Handling architecture while working on innovative space missions within a highly skilled engineering team.

TT