Spacecraft Control Specialist

Babcock International; Corsham; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous holiday allowance

Pension & life assurance

Digital GP & health check

Employee share scheme

Shopping portal

Professional fees paid

Reservists leave

Holiday trading

Be Kind Day

Wellbeing programme

Job summary

Babcock is recruiting a Spacecraft Control Specialist to join our Corsham, Wiltshire site. The role involves theoretical and practical training on spacecraft subsystems, followed by hands-on simulator exercises on site.

You will test MIL SAT COM systems, command spacecraft, and support 24/7 mission operations on a 12-hour shift pattern. Ideal candidates hold a STEM degree or equivalent, have a background in spacecraft operations, and are prepared to obtain UK SC security clearance.

Qualifications

• Science/Engineering degree or Level 3 equivalent in STEM and a passion for Space welcomed.
• Willingness to obtain Security Check (SC) clearance as required.

Responsibilities

• Test all aspects of Military Satellite Communication (MIL SAT COM) systems and control.
• Deliver spacecraft operations and manoeuvres during 12-hour shifts on a 2 days / 2 nights pattern.
• Monitor and control the spacecrafts constellation and ground segment.
• Accurate commanding of spacecraft and maintenance of competency levels.
• Mentor and supervise newly trained staff during operations and reconfigurations.

Skills

Satellite operations

Change management

Team leadership

Resilience under pressure

Education

Science/Engineering degree or Level 3 equivalent

Job description

Job Title: Spacecraft Control Specialist

Location: Chippenham, Wiltshire

Compensation: Competitive Salary + Benefits

Role Type: Full time / Permanent

At Babcock we're working to create a safe and secure world, together, and if you join us, you can play your part as a Spacecraft Control Specialist at our Corsham, Wiltshire site.

The Role

As a Spacecraft Control Specialist, you'll have a role that's out of the ordinary. The Spacecraft Control Specialist's role includes theoretical training on spacecraft sub-systems and orbital theory followed by a package of practical simulator exercises.

All training is delivered on site by Babcock with our specialist space trainers at Corsham, this is done on the job and simulation training. Assessment is via formal Board, testing all aspects of Military Satellite Communication systems and control.

Day-to-day, you'll test all aspects of Military Satellite Communication (MIL SAT COM) systems and control, you will also contribute to the 24/7/365 mission, delivering spacecraft operations and manoeuvres during the 12-hour shift.

• Monitoring and control of the Military Satellite Communication systems constellation of geosynchronous spacecraft including the associated ground segment.
• Accurate commanding of all spacecraft ensuring safe and timely execution of authorised operational procedures.
• Monitoring, reviewing, and updating your spacecraft Controller competency levels as recorded in the Currency Matrix.
• Regular completion of competency assessment to maintain Suitably Qualified Experienced Person.
• Supervision and mentoring of newly trained staff during spacecraft operations, ground segment reconfigurations, and AUTO commanding procedures.

Please note that the successful candidate will be required to pass a targeted medical questionnaire and/or medical examination as a condition of employment for this role.

This role is full time, 39 hours per week average and is based on site with a 12-hour shift pattern, 2 days and 2 nights, 4 off (07:00 - 19:00 day shifts) at Corsham, Wilshire.

Essential Experience of the Spacecraft Control Specialist

• Experience of supporting change and seeking ways to increase the delivery of services.
• Ability to interact with others in a way that gives them confidence in own intentions and those of the organisation.
• Ability to remain calm in uncertain or challenging situations and consistently behaves in a manner acceptable to others.
• Work effectively with individuals of diverse cultures, interpersonal styles, abilities, motivations, or background.

Qualifications for the Spacecraft Control Specialist

• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Degree preferred or Level 3 equivalent in experience in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics and a passion for Space welcomed.

Security Clearance

The successful candidate must be a sole UK national who is able to achieve and maintain Security Check (SC) security clearance for this role.

Many of the positions within our company are subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth, nationality, current or former citizenship, and any residency you hold or have held. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

What We Offer

• Generous holiday allowance
• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Access to a Digital GP, annual health check, and nutritional consultations through Aviva DigiCare+
• Employee share scheme
• Employee shopping savings portal
• Payment of Professional Fees
• Reservists in the armed forces receive 10-days special paid leave
• Holiday Trading is a benefit that allows UK Babcock employees to buy additional leave or to sell up to one working week of annual leave from their annual entitlement. This Window opens February through to March annually
• Be Kind Day' enables employees to take one working day's paid leave a year (or equivalent hours) to undertake volunteering work with their chosen organisation or registered charity
• Excellent development opportunities and benefits package including an employee assistance programme supporting physical, mental and financial wellbeing

Babcock

We're Babcock - a global FTSE 100 organisation with over 26,000 people working together to make a difference.

Here, you'll be part of something bigger. From initial design to final decommissioning, your work will contribute to products and services that are essential to national security and public infrastructure. Together, we're building a future that lasts - not just through the impact we make, but through meaningful careers that respect your work-life balance.

We call that lifetime engineering.

Join us and see how far we can go, together.

We are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please email [e-mail] with the subject header Reasonable adjustments requirement'. We're committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone's free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working - please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.

Closing Date: 13/08/2026

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