Spacecraft Systems Engineer

Stott and May; Guildford; On-site; GBP 111,000 - 166,000; Full time

Job summary

Stott and May is seeking a Spacecraft Systems Engineer to support the full lifecycle of small satellite missions in a hybrid Alton-based role. You will work with multidisciplinary teams on technical delivery, system performance and mission success across design, integration and verification.

The role covers mission analysis, architecture development and interface verification, with exposure to bids and R&D activities. 12-month contract, negotiable rate, Inside IR35.

Qualifications

• Proven systems engineering experience within the space sector.
• Hands-on experience with small satellite programmes such as Microsats, CubeSats or similar.
• Ideally experienced across the full spacecraft project lifecycle.
• Working knowledge of spacecraft subsystems including AOCS, communications, EPS, payloads, OBC/software and OBDH.
• Understanding of spacecraft operations.

Responsibilities

• Support or lead design and operational activities for small satellite missions.
• Support spacecraft commissioning, anomaly investigation and resolution.
• Conduct mission needs analysis, trade studies and system architecture development.
• Define, manage and verify system-level requirements and interfaces.
• Perform functional analysis, including mass, power, data and thermal budgets.
• Support performance modelling and engagement with external equipment suppliers.
• Prepare technical inputs for internal and customer reviews and present progress to stakeholders.

Skills

Systems engineering

Spacecraft domains

Small satellite programs

Requirements management

Trade studies

Tools

ECSS knowledge

Job description

Spacecraft Systems Engineer

Type: contract

Duration: 12 months

Location: hybrid, Alton

Rate: negotiable DoE - Inside IR35

We are seeking an experienced Space Systems Engineer to support the full lifecycle of small satellite missions, from concept and requirements through to integration, verification and mission operations.

You’ll work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams, supporting technical delivery, system performance and successful mission outcomes. The role may also involve space technology studies, R&D and technical support for bids.

Key Responsibilities

• Support or lead design and operational activities for small satellite missions.
• Support spacecraft commissioning, anomaly investigation and resolution.
• Conduct mission needs analysis, trade studies and system architecture development.
• Define, manage and verify system-level requirements and interfaces.
• Perform functional analysis, including mass, power, data and thermal budgets.
• Support performance modelling and engagement with external equipment suppliers.
• Prepare technical inputs for internal and customer reviews and present progress to stakeholders.

Essential Experience

• Proven systems engineering experience within the space sector.
• Hands‑on experience with small satellite programmes such as Microsats, CubeSats or similar.
• Ideally experienced across the full spacecraft project lifecycle.
• Working knowledge of spacecraft subsystems including AOCS, communications, EPS, payloads, OBC/software and OBDH.
• Understanding of spacecraft operations.

Desirable

• Experience defining, managing and verifying system-level requirements.
• Knowledge of ECSS, NASA or equivalent industry standards.

This is an excellent opportunity for a Space Systems Engineer to work on technically challenging small satellite missions within a multidisciplinary engineering environment.