Job Vacancies

Job Description

Senior Spacecraft System Engineer
KDC are looking for an experienced Spacecraft System Engineer to join a friendly and welcoming team at the brand-new state of the art facility in Harwell.
 
As a senior member of the Systems Team, you will be responsible for taking the lead on certain aspects of project work as well as mentoring other members of the team. Therefore you need to be a senior engineer with hands-on experience of working on spacecraft systems, and be at a level where you can come in and start contributing to the projects straight away.
 
Whilst you will primarily work in the UK at our new state of the art Harwell Office, you will also work extensively with a larger team in the Japan Office. You may be required to travel to Tokyo as needed in support of projects and operations or elsewhere in Europe to consult with suppliers and support system testing.
 
Responsibilities:
 

• Development of spacecraft mission and system design including requirements derivation and CONOPS definition.
• Performing mission analysis and modelling of spacecraft missions.
• Trade-off and control platform systems budgets e.g. mass, power, data, fuel.
• Production of mission-level test and verification plans.
• Production of mission-level FMECA, FTA and FDIR.
• Performing rapid feasibility studies into different scenarios and architectures.
• Assisting with bid work, providing technical solutions and documentation.
• Maintaining configuration control of systems work and documentation
• Working with and guiding a multi-disciplined team in the delivery of projects.

 
Essential Skills
 

• Diploma; bachelor or master’s degree in systems engineering, electrical engineering or another relevant discipline.
• At least 10+ years of commercial experience in a Systems Engineering role for satellite platform architecture. 
• Knowledge of the systems and project engineering lifecycle from requirements definition through to verification, including experience of leading or planning for project review gates in satellite engineering e.g. SRR, PDR, CDR, etc.
• Experience in mission and systems architecture definition and CONOPS, especially understanding of both space and ground segment interaction.
• Good knowledge of a range of subsystems & engineering teams including: GNC (AOCS, ADCS), astrodynamics, C&DH / OBDH, EPS, RCS (propulsion), COM (communications), software, ground segment & operations.
• Experience in the development of systems engineering documentation working with a Project Manager as needed: requirements, CONOPS, review gate materials, test and verification plans / procedures, DDVP, ICDs, equipment lists, FMECA & FTAs
• Awareness of the AIT process: manufacture, assembly, functional and environmental testing.
• A basic knowledge in the following areas: debris removal, end-of-life, in-orbit maintenance or servicing.

 
Desired Skills:
 

• 15+ years of commercial experience in a Systems Engineering role for satellites defining satellite platform architecture. 
• An understanding of, or experience in other project matters: project management, procurement, bid support, manufacturing.
• Knowledge of commonly used engineering and modelling packages (e.g. ModelSim, Matlab, STK) and/or coding and scripting languages (e.g. Python) applied to real world engineering applications.
• Knowledge of the area around debris removal including: licensing, export, regulation, space law.
• Knowledge of past missions of relevance: Remove Debris, CleanSpace / ESA projects e.g. e.DeOrbit, DEOS, ATV, ETS-7
• Whilst the working language across all divisions is English, proficiency in spoken and/or written Japanese would be considered an asset.

 
 Benefits
 

• Competitive base salary
• Opportunity to work with a highly talented international team working on cutting edge technology.
• Flexible working around core hours
• Hybrid working available (Dependent on individual role requirements)
• 25 days holiday (increasing yearly up to a maximum of 28 days) + 8 days Bank Holiday per year. 
• Life insurance and long-term sick pay
• Private healthcare (taxable benefit)
• Relocation allowance
• Visa sponsorship for employees
• New state of the art office and cleanroom facility (opening summer 2022)
• Regular social events.