Senior Data Link Communication Research Engineer

CleanTech Talent; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 76,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in Glasgow is seeking a Senior Data Link Communication Research Engineer to develop the L2 communication stack for next-generation space systems. You will architect embedded firmware in C/C++ and collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams. Candidates should have at least 5 years' experience in embedded systems and strong skills in C/C++. The role offers a competitive salary, hybrid working, and a culture of technical influence and collaboration.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Hybrid working

Technical influence

Strong collaborative culture

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in embedded systems, ideally in high-reliability domains.
• Strong C/C++ skills for real-time/embedded systems.
• Experience with DSP or protocol stack development.

Responsibilities

• Develop L2 firmware and low-level embedded drivers.
• Architect embedded firmware in C/C++ across various platforms.
• Collaborate with cross-discipline engineering teams.

Skills

Embedded systems experience

C/C++ skills

Knowledge of L1/L2 communications

Experience with modern comms standards

Familiarity with MATLAB and Python

Tools

JTAG

Spectrum analysers

VNAs

Job description

Senior Data Link Communication Research Engineer Next-Gen Space Systems

The Company

Join an innovative engineering organisation developing the next generation of high-performance communication technology for space platforms. The team is scaling rapidly and building new capabilities across software, embedded systems, and advanced radio/networking architectures.

You’ll work alongside specialists in a collaborative, engineering-driven environment focused on solving real-world technical challenges.

The Role

We are seeking a Senior Data Link Communication Research Engineer to help shape and implement the L2 communication stack within a new spaceborne system. You’ll contribute to embedded firmware, protocol development, link-layer optimisation and early hardware bring-up across a modern SoC/FPGA platform.

This is a hands‑on position where you’ll have real ownership over architecture, performance, and the evolution of the in‑orbit comms stack.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop L2 firmware, protocols and low-level embedded drivers
• Architect embedded firmware in C/C++ across RTOS, Linux and bare-metal environments
• Collaborate with RF, FPGA, software and hardware engineering teams
• Validate, test and improve proprietary communication techniques
• Support bring‑up, integration and system‑level verification of new hardware platforms

Experience & Skills

We’d particularly like to hear from engineers with:

• 5+ years of embedded systems experience, ideally in high‑reliability or mission‑critical domains
• Strong C/C++ skills for real‑time/embedded systemsBackground in L1/L2 communications, DSP, or protocol stack development
• Experience with modern comms standards (e.g. CCSDS, DVB‑S2(X), GSE, TM/TC, AOS, etc.)
• Familiarity with MATLAB, Python/Bash and lab equipment (JTAG, spectrum analysers, VNAs, etc.)
• Bonus points for: FPGA/SoC exposure, Rust/Python development, or a passion for space technology.

What's on Offer

• Competitive salary (£90,000) depending on experience
• Hybrid working (several days per week onsite)
• Work on a next‑generation communications system
• High ownership and technical influence
• Strong culture of collaboration, exploration and engineering autonomy

What's Next?

Interested? Please apply with your CV or reach out to Daniel Salway at CleanTech Talent for a confidential discussion.

CleanTech Talent is the exclusive recruitment partner for this position.