Spacecraft Operations Engineer

Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd.; Guildford; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading space technology company in Guildford is seeking a Spacecraft Operations Engineer to lead missions from LEO to GEO. The position involves defining operational procedures, supporting spacecraft testing, and providing analysis for anomaly investigations. Ideal candidates have a degree in Space engineering, strong communication skills, and experience in Spacecraft Operations. The company offers hybrid working options, 32 days of holiday, and extensive benefits including a pension scheme and relocation assistance.

Benefits

32 days holiday plus Bank Holidays

Pension Scheme with Life Assurance

Private Medical & International Travel Insurance

Annual Bonus Scheme

Share Incentive Plan

High Street Discount Scheme

Qualifications

• Degree in Space engineering or a similar field required.
• Attention to detail essential for operational procedures.
• Ability to work autonomously and manage time effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead space missions from LEO to GEO and beyond.
• Produce spacecraft operations handbooks and procedures.
• Monitor and interact with SSTL spacecraft routinely.

Skills

Good understanding of space and ground segment systems

Good understanding of orbital mechanics

Excellent written documentation and communication skills

Good MS Office skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Team working skills

Decision making and creative problem-solving skills

Education

Degree in Space engineering or similar

Tools

MS Windows

Job description

This role is an exciting opportunity to join the Spacecraft Operations team with responsibility to lead space missions from LEO to GEO and beyond. Spacecraft Operations Engineers are involved in the full life of the mission, from the bid phase, supporting mission development, writing procedures for operating craft, right through to LEOP & commissioning, transfer to operations, and end of life operations. They play a vital role, providing valuable specialist knowledge to feed into projects, hands on involvement with spacecraft in orbit, and problem solving in a fast-paced environment. There is also the opportunity to travel globally for commissioning.

Key Task

• Working with the System Engineer to understand and help shape CONOPS for future missions
• Identification and communication of spacecraft operations requirements and constraints for these missions
• Supporting internal and external milestone reviews for projects
• Supporting ground-based spacecraft testing
• Producing spacecraft operations handbooks
• Defining, documenting, and testing operational procedures
• Defining, documenting, and testing spacecraft commissioning procedures
• Planning and managing spacecraft commissioning campaigns
• Customer Engineer support and training

Supporting operation of existing SSTL on-orbit assets

• Routine monitoring of, and interaction with, SSTL Spacecraft
• Support anomaly investigation activities
• Support Mission Services in responding to and co-ordinating customer requests for operations support
• Analysis of historical trend data for spacecraft health monitoring
• Support to operations out of hours on-call activities, once sufficient experience is gained.

Supporting the Spacecraft Operations Centre infrastructure

• Supporting, when required, Spacecraft Operation Infrastructure & Ground Engineers in routine maintenance of SSTL ground assets
• Working with the Spacecraft Operations Team, the Ground Software Team, and the Ground Segments Team to ensure that the Spacecraft Operations Centre and associated equipment is fully operational

Previous Experience

• Previous experience in Spacecraft Operations or Space Systems Engineering would be advantageous

Qualifications Knowledge & Skills

• Degree in Space engineering, or similar
• Good understanding of space and ground segment systems
• Good understanding of orbital mechanics
• Understanding of RF communications systems
• Good team working skills, together with the ability to interface with others at all levels
• Excellent written documentation and communication skills
• Attention to detail essential
• Good organisation skills and able to prioritise own workload
• Able to work autonomously and use own initiative to progress tasks
• Proven ability to handle pressure and work to tight deadlines when times are busy
• Decision making and creative problem-solving skills
• Flexible and must be able to work out of hours on occasion
• Foreign travel for a number of weeks will be required during commissioning phases and other customer support activities
• Competence with MS Windows and its components (e.g. registry, networking)
• Good MS Office skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint particularly)
• Able to demonstrate company mindsets and behaviours; Be accountable, Drive & delivery, Communicate effectively, Self-manage effectively, Work as one team

Location

SSTL prides itself on being a super flexible company. The role is based in our Head Office in Guildford but we fully support hybrid working and a range of flexible working options.

Benefits

Our comprehensive benefits package includes: 32 days Holiday plus Bank Holidays, Pension Scheme with Life Assurance, Private Medical & International Travel Insurance, Annual Bonus Scheme, Share Incentive Plan, Enhanced Maternity, Paternity & Shared Parental Pay for new parents, High Street Discount Scheme and many more!

Visa Support

SSTL supports applications requiring a UK Skilled Worker Visa and sponsorship is available for this role. Relocation assistance also available.