Bright Ascension Ltd
Product Architect
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Product Architect
Product Architect
** Bright Ascension ** is a fast-growing, innovative company changing the way software is developed in the space industry. With customers across the world—from universities and space agencies to commercial organisations and start-ups—our core technologies enable our customers to develop and operate space-based systems and services faster, more cost-effectively, and more reliably.
Innovation is at the heart of what we do, and our team drives that innovation. This is reflected in our commitment to employee ownership—giving everyone a voice and a stake in our current and future success. With offices in Dundee, Edinburgh, and Bristol, we now have over 50 members of staff and plans to expand significantly over the next 12 months. We are at an exciting stage in our growth plans and have fantastic opportunities for talented individuals to join us.
We are looking for an experienced and motivated Product Architect to play a key role in translating core architectural principles into robust, scalable, and product-specific designs as we approach our next exciting period of growth.
This will be a full-time role (though flexible working arrangements are negotiable). The position is ideally based in Edinburgh/Dundee on a hybrid basis, allowing regular interaction with both the wider business and colleagues across departments.
About the Role
As a member of the Technology and Product Futures team, you will be responsible for defining and overseeing the end-to-end architecture of our HELIX software products, ensuring alignment with the HELIX platform, reference architecture, and in-house technology.
Responsibilities
Central to your role will be:
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Defining and owning the end-to-end architecture for assigned HELIX products, ensuring consistency with the HELIX reference architecture.
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Applying Bright Ascension’s model-based, component-based, and service-oriented engineering, guiding delivery teams to realise high-quality, coherent product architectures.
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Collaborating closely with the Chief Architect to interpret and evolve architectural guidance for product-specific needs.
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Providing technical leadership and architectural direction to engineering teams throughout the product lifecycle.
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Producing and maintaining architectural artefacts, including:
- System designs
- Interface definitions
- Architectural decision records
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Ensuring product architectures meet requirements for scalability, performance, reliability, and maintainability.
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Supporting engineering teams in both resolving complex technical challenges and making informed design decisions.
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Promoting the application of common components, services, and patterns across the HELIX product suite.
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Validating that implementations conform to architectural designs through review, governance, and technical assurance activities.
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Contributing feedback from product-level implementation to enhance the HELIX reference architecture and core technology.
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Engaging with stakeholders (e.g. product management, product engineering, and customer experience teams) to ensure architectural alignment with business and mission goals.
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Essential Skills & Experience
Coherence with the following is key:
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Proven experience in:
- Software architecture (include designing complex, distributed systems)
- Model-based, component-based, and/or service-oriented architectures
- Applying architectural frameworks, patterns, and best practices in real-world systems
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Strong understanding of software engineering, including:
- Requirements management
- Architecture & detailed design
- Development & testing across all levels
- Deployments, CI/CD
- Maintenance and support
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Hands-on software engineering background, capable of engaging at code and design level as needed.
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Experience in defining, documenting, and communicating: software system architectures (e.g. UML, SysML, C4 model or equivalent).
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Working with distributed system integration via APIs, microservices, etc.
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Balancing technical trade-offs and making pragmatic architectural decisions.
Personal Skills
We’re looking for those who demonstrate:
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Strong collaboration & influencing skills—capable of guiding, mentoring, and learning from engineering teams.
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Excellent communication—ability to articulate complex architectural concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
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Collaborative mindset, with experience working in cross-functional teams.
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Analytical thinking & problem-solving—particularly in complex or ambiguous situations.
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High ownership, accountability for architectural outcomes.
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Ability to:
- Work effectively within architectural governance, while contributing to process improvements and building maturity in a new team.
- Maintain adaptability and openness to learning in a fast-paced environment.
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Desirable Skills & Experience
These will be valuable additions:
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Experience in aerospace, space systems, or mission-critical software domains.
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Familiarity with model-driven engineering approaches and tools.
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Working with domain-specific or mission-oriented platforms, similar to HELIX.
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Systems engineering principles and their integration with software architecture.
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Protocols and languages such as Java, Python, or C.
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Experience in:
- Contributing to or evolving a reference architecture or shared technology platform.
- Supporting product development and development kits/tooling.
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Exposure to real-time or embedded systems where relevant.
What You Can Expect
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Competitive salary of £45,000-£50,000 (dependent on experience), with annual reviews.
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A fantastic opportunity to join a fast-growing, innovative, and employee-centred business pushing boundaries in the space industry.
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Flexible working hours, enabling a tailored work-life balance through hybrid arrangements.
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36 days paid annual leave inclusive of public holidays.
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6% employer pension contribution.
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Enhanced benefits, including:
- Company Sick Pay and Long-Term Sickness cover
- Health Cash Plan covering dental, physiotherapy, and eye care.
- Life Assurance cover (x4 salary).
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption pay.
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Opportunities for international travel for industry exhibitions and trade shows.
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Investment in your development, including conference attendance and upskilling.
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Regular team-building events alongside an open, inclusive environment where you can thrive.
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The chance to make a big difference to both product development and business growth.
Our Values
You’ll be joining a company that works together to uphold values which define who we are:
Passion & Innovation
- Prove enjoyment in your work—have fun while embracing curiosity.
- Inspiration comes from fearless unconventional ideas.
Teamwork & Collaboration
- Share knowledge—start meaningful dialogues and champion teamwork.
- Success is collective, achieved through mutual support and cooperation.
Respect & Integrity
- Celebrate diversity, while appreciating and accepting differing perspectives.
- High standards, integrity, and respect build trusted relationships and reputation.
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