Xperior Global
Systems Engineer - SmallSat Missions
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Role: Satellite Systems Engineer – SmallSat Missions
Location: Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
Working Model: Hybrid – typically 2–3 days per week onsite
Employment: Full-Time, Permanent
Sector: Space / Small Satellites
The Opportunity
Our client is an established high-tech engineering organisation that is expanding its UK Space team and looking to appoint a Satellite Systems Engineer.
Our client develops and delivers advanced SmallSat platforms and spacecraft for demanding commercial and institutional missions. With proven satellite hardware already operating in orbit and a growing portfolio of future missions, this is an opportunity to become directly involved in the development of complete spacecraft systems.
We are specifically looking for someone with Satellite Systems Engineering experience who understands the spacecraft at system level and can contribute to decisions around spacecraft architecture, subsystem selection, supplier solutions, technical interfaces, integration and verification.
This is a hands-on technical position rather than a management role and would suit an engineer looking to continue developing their expertise across the complete spacecraft lifecycle.
What You'll Be Doing
As a Satellite Systems Engineer, you'll work closely with senior engineers and the System Architect across the technical development and delivery of SmallSat missions.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Supporting the definition and development of spacecraft system architectures.
- Evaluating and supporting the selection of satellite subsystems from external suppliers, including technical trade-offs between potential solutions.
- Defining and tracking technical requirements and interfaces between spacecraft subsystems.
- Supporting the management of interfaces across Space, Ground, Launch and User segments.
- Establishing and maintaining the system technical baseline, including configuration changes, anomalies and non-conformances.
- Maintaining and supporting the Verification Control Document (VCD).
- Supporting AIT, AIV, verification and qualification activities at system and subsystem level.
- Contributing to technical analyses, trade-off studies and risk-management activities including FMEA and FDIR.
- Producing and maintaining technical specifications, interface documentation and spacecraft user documentation.
- Supporting spacecraft integration and, where required, launch campaign activities.
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What We're Looking For
We're looking specifically for someone who has already developed experience within Satellite Systems Engineering, rather than someone looking to transition from Mission Analysis or another unrelated space discipline.
Ideally, you will have:
- A minimum of approximately 2–3 years of directly relevant Satellite Systems Engineering experience.
- Experience working at spacecraft/system level, with an understanding of how multiple satellite subsystems interact.
- Exposure to spacecraft architecture definition and system-level engineering decisions.
- Experience evaluating, selecting or integrating spacecraft subsystems and/or equipment.
- Experience working technically with external subsystem or equipment suppliers.
- Understanding of spacecraft requirements, interfaces and technical trade-offs.
- Exposure to satellite verification, integration, AIT/AIV or qualification activities.
- Understanding of the complete spacecraft development lifecycle.
- A degree in Aerospace Engineering or a related technical discipline.
- Strong English communication skills.
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Advantageous Experience
Experience in any of the following would be beneficial, but we are not looking for a specialist in one particular spacecraft subsystem:
- ESA / ECSS standards
- Interface Control Documents (ICDs)
- Configuration and change management
- Verification Control Documents
- FMEA / FDIR
- Avionics
- Electrical Power Systems (EPS)
- Thermal systems
- AIT / AIV
- Launch campaigns
- Jira, Confluence, Valispace or similar systems engineering tools
Why Consider This Opportunity?
You'll be joining a growing international Space team working on real spacecraft programmes with flight heritage.
Rather than being restricted to one individual subsystem, you'll gain exposure across the complete satellite, working alongside experienced engineers on architecture, supplier selection, interfaces, verification, integration and mission delivery.
For someone with a few years of Satellite Systems Engineering experience, this provides an excellent opportunity to broaden their spacecraft-level technical responsibility and continue developing towards more senior Systems Engineering and System Architecture positions.
Location & Working Model
The position is based in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire and operates on a hybrid basis, with regular onsite collaboration expected, typically around 2–3 days per week.
Candidates should therefore either already live within a reasonable commuting distance or be willing to relocate closer to the area.
Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
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