Space Software Engineer I

United States Digital Space LLC; Greater London; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

World-leading centre of excellence

Publications and conference work

Career support and progression

Generous pension schemes

Inclusive and collaborative culture

Job summary

Imperial College London in London is seeking a data pipeline engineer to help develop and maintain data systems for space science instruments, including HelioSwarm, Solar Orbiter and IMAP missions. You will work closely with engineers and scientists to transform real-time data streams into high-quality outputs, including hands-on experience with flight-grade space hardware.

The role involves collaboration with external partners and potential travel within the UK and internationally, including

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 senior team member

Job description

Job numberNAT02243

FacultiesFaculty of Natural Sciences

DepartmentsDepartment of Physics

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

Location/campusSouth Kensington Campus - On site only

Contract type work patternFull time - Fixed term

Posting End Date23 Aug 2026

About the role

The Space Magnetometer Lab at the company 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 (35 hours per week), fixed-term role 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.

Available documents

Attached documents are available under links. Clicking a document link will initialize its download.

Please note that job descriptions are not exhaustive, and you may be asked to take on additional duties that align with the key responsibilities mentioned above.

We reserve the right to close the advert before the stated closing date, should we receive a high volume of applications. It is therefore advisable that you submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

About Imperial

Welcome to Imperial, a global top-ten university where scientific imagination leads to world-changing impact.

Join us and be part of something bigger. From global health to climate change, AI to business leadership, here at Imperial we navigate some of the world’s toughest challenges. Whatever your role, your contribution will have a lasting impact.

As a member of our vibrant community of 22,000 students and 8,000 staff, you’ll collaborate with passionate minds across nine London campuses and a global network.

This is your chance to help shape the future. We hope you’ll join us at the company.

Our Culture

We work towards equality of opportunity, to eliminating discrimination, and to creating an inclusive working environment for all. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries, and are committed to employing a team that has diverse skills, experiences and abilities. You can read more about our commitment on our web pages.

Proud signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant. We welcome applications from the Armed Forces community.

Our values are at the root of everything we do, and everyone in our community is expected to demonstrate respect, collaboration, excellence, integrity, and innovation.