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Space Jobs UK 2025: 50 Companies Hiring Now

6 min read
Jobs

Bookmark this guide – we refresh it every quarter so you always know who’s really expanding their space‑sector teams.

The UK’s £15 billion Space Sector Plan, three licensed spaceports and a spike in commercial satellite demand have ignited hiring in 2025. Employers need spacecraft systems engineers, propulsion specialists, mission operators, Earth‑observation data scientists, ground‑segment software developers & regulatory experts right now.

Below are 50 organisations that have advertised UK‑based space vacancies or formally announced head‑count growth in the past eight weeks. They’re grouped into five quick‑scan categories so you can jump straight to the kind of employer – and mission – that excites you. For every company you’ll see:

Main UK hub

Example live or recent vacancy

Why it’s worth a look – tech focus, culture, mission

Search any employer on UKSpaceJobs.co.uk to view real‑time ads, or set a free alert so brand‑new openings land straight in your inbox.

1. Spacecraft & Satellite Manufacturers (1–10)

  1. Airbus Defence & Space – Stevenage

    • Vacancy: AIT Systems Engineer – Eurostar Neo Platforms

    • Why: UK’s largest spacecraft factory; moon return lander work under way.

  2. Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) – Guildford

    • Vacancy: Mission Analyst – Optical EO Constellation

    • Why: Twenty‑satellite programme; agile flight heritage.

  3. OneWeb Satellites UK – White City, London

    • Vacancy: Payload Integration Engineer – Ku‑Band User Terminals

    • Why: Constellation entering Gen 2; UK‑designed payloads.

  4. In‑Space Missions (BAE Systems) – Alton

    • Vacancy: Spacecraft Operations Controller – Faraday 2 Rideshare

    • Why: Fast‑paced “space‑as‑a‑service” model; launch every six months.

  5. AAC Clyde Space – Glasgow

    • Vacancy: Power Systems Engineer – Nano‑sat Buses

    • Why: Scotland’s “Space Valley”; flexible hours & share options.

  6. Thales Alenia Space UK – Bristol

    • Vacancy: GNSS Payload Architect – Galileo Second Gen

    • Why: Multi‑hundred‑million ESA contract; hybrid working.

  7. Orbital Micro Systems – Edinburgh

    • Vacancy: Thermal Engineer – Nano‑sat Microwave Radiometers

    • Why: Rapidly growing weather‑data constellations.

  8. Lúnasa Space – Belfast

    • Vacancy: Structural Analyst – Deployable Solar Arrays

    • Why: Northern Ireland’s first space hardware plant; equity offered.

  9. Kongsberg NanoAvionics UK – Oxford

    • Vacancy: Software‑in‑the‑Loop Test Engineer – CubeSat Avionics

    • Why: New UK R&D hub focused on EO and IoT buses.

  10. Open Cosmos – Harwell

    • Vacancy: Systems Engineer – Low‑Cost SmallSat Platforms

    • Why: End‑to‑end missions from design to data delivery; strong mission culture.

2. Launch, Propulsion & In‑Space Logistics (11–20)

  1. Skyrora – Edinburgh & Cumbernauld

    • Vacancy: Avionics Firmware Developer – XL Orbital Launcher

    • Why: Skyrora XL maiden flight NET Q4 2025; vertical integration.

  2. Orbex – Forres, Moray

    • Vacancy: Propulsion Test Engineer – Methane/LOX Stage

    • Why: Sutherland Spaceport launch window confirmed; reusable stage tech.

  3. Space Forge – Cardiff

    • Vacancy: Thermal Protection Materials Scientist – Pridwen Re‑entry Shield

    • Why: In‑orbit manufacturing & return; £54 m Series B closed.

  4. Reaction Engines – Culham

    • Vacancy: Heat‑Exchanger CFD Specialist – SABRE Precooler

    • Why: Hypersonic propulsion; hybrid 9‑day fortnight.

  5. Pulsar Fusion – Bletchley

    • Vacancy: Plasma Propulsion Physicist – Hall‑Effect Thrusters

    • Why: Nuclear‑fusion space drive R&D; startup equity.

  6. Astraius – Prestwick

    • Vacancy: Air‑Launch Flight Safety Manager – C‑17 Orbital System

    • Why: Horizontal launch from Scotland; CAA licensing phase.

  7. Satellite Applications Catapult: I‑Space Logistics – Harwell

    • Vacancy: In‑Space Servicing Analyst – On‑Orbit Refuelling Markets

    • Why: National study team, secondments to start‑ups.

  8. Nebula Propulsion Systems – Leeds

    • Vacancy: Green Propellant Chemist – ADN‑based Hybrid

    • Why: UKRI grants; flexible 4‑day week option.

  9. Blue Skies Space – London

    • Vacancy: Mission Manager – Twinkle Exoplanet Telescope

    • Why: First commercial deep‑space science mission.

  10. HyImpulse UK – Essex

    • Vacancy: Hybrid Rocket Test Technician – Paraffin/LOX Model

    • Why: German HQ opens UK site to tap Harwell supply chain.

3. Ground Segment, In‑Orbit Services & Space Sustainability (21–30)

  1. Goonhilly Earth Station – Cornwall

    • Vacancy: Deep‑Space Antenna Operator – Artemis Relay

    • Why: First private deep‑space dish; lunar and Mars links.

  2. Astroscale UK – Harwell

    • Vacancy: Guidance & Control Engineer – Debris Removal Chaser

    • Why: Active Debris Removal (ADR) demo in 2025; ESG‑driven mission.

  3. ClearSpace UK – London

    • Vacancy: Compliance Specialist – ADR Licencing & Insurance

    • Why: ESA ClearSpace‑1 partner; hybrid legal/tech role.

  4. D‑Orbit UK – Farnborough

    • Vacancy: Satellite Logistics Planner – ION In‑Orbit Transfer Vehicle

    • Why: Monthly rideshares; rapid mission cadence.

  5. Northumbria Space Systems – Newcastle

    • Vacancy: Space Weather Modeller – Solar‑Storm Forecasting

    • Why: UKRI Space Weather Hub funding.

  6. SatixFy UK – Manchester

    • Vacancy: Beam‑forming ASIC Engineer – Electronically Steered Arrays

    • Why: LEO/gov comms terminals; stock options.

  7. Spaceflux – Reading

    • Vacancy: SSA Data Scientist – Optical Tracking Network

    • Why: 24‑site global telescope net, Python/ML stack.

  8. CGI UK Space – Leatherhead & Bristol

    • Vacancy: Ground Segment Software Lead – CCSDS & ECSS

    • Why: Flexible remote policy; FTSE‑100 stability.

  9. GMV NSL – Nottingham

    • Vacancy: GNSS Algorithms Engineer – Precise Point Positioning

    • Why: Galileo High‑Accuracy Service commercialisation.

  10. Leaf Space UK – Harwell

    • Vacancy: Network Operations Engineer – Ground Station as‑a‑Service

    • Why: Expanding “Leaf Line” to Kirkwall; 24/7 shift premiums.

4. Down‑stream Data, Navigation & Geo‑Analytics (31–40)

  1. Spire Global – Glasgow

    • Vacancy: RF Payload Data Engineer – AIS & ADS‑B Cubesats

    • Why: 100+ satellites built in‑house; remote‑friendly.

  2. Earth‑i – Guildford

    • Vacancy: EO Analytics Scientist – High‑Res Video

    • Why: 1 m colour video from space; customer‑facing projects.

  3. Rezatec – Harwell

    • Vacancy: Geospatial Machine‑Learning Engineer – Forestry Carbon Index

    • Why: SaaS subscription model, Series C raise.

  4. Global Surface Intelligence – Edinburgh

    • Vacancy: AI Modeller – SAR & Optical Fusion

    • Why: Forest & carbon markets booming; equity package.

  5. SatSense – Leeds

    • Vacancy: InSAR Analyst – Infrastructure Subsidence Monitoring

    • Why: National Highways contracts; hybrid remote.

  6. Fugro Space – Portsmouth

    • Vacancy: GNSS Integrity Engineer – PPP Wavefront

    • Why: Maritime and offshore energy clients.

  7. Bird.i (SuperVision Earth) – Glasgow

    • Vacancy: Pipeline Monitoring Data Scientist – Multisensor Change Detection

    • Why: £10 m Series A; remote‑first.

  8. Ordnance Survey Geospatial Labs – Southampton

    • Vacancy: Product Owner – Space‑Derived 3‑D Terrain

    • Why: National data sets, civil‑service pension.

  9. Trimble Positioning UK – Leicester

    • Vacancy: RTK Network Support Engineer – Infrastructure Surveys

    • Why: GNSS corrections for 1 million devices worldwide.

  10. Hawkeye 360 UK – Harwell

    • Vacancy: RF Spectrum Intelligence Analyst – Maritime Domain Awareness

    • Why: US HQ chooses Harwell for European ops; hybrid.

5. Government, Research, Spaceports & National Facilities (41–50)

  1. UK Space Agency – Swindon & London

    • Vacancy: Spaceflight Licensing Officer – Orbital Launch

    • Why: Shape national regulation; hybrid with civil‑service benefits.

  2. ESA ECSAT – Harwell

    • Vacancy: Business Applications Engineer – ARTES 5G/6G

    • Why: Work with start‑ups across Europe; tax‑free salary supplement.

  3. RAL Space (STFC) – Didcot

    • Vacancy: Opto‑Mechanical Engineer – NovaSAR‑2 Instrument

    • Why: £120 m National Satellite Test Facility, public‑sector pension.

  4. Space Park Leicester – Leicester

    • Vacancy: Payload Test Scientist – Vacuum Chamber Ops

    • Why: Academia‑industry cluster, publish & patent environment.

  5. Spaceport Cornwall – Newquay

    • Vacancy: Range Safety Analyst – Horizontal Launch Ops

    • Why: Second launch licence pending; coastal lifestyle.

  6. SaxaVord Spaceport – Shetland

    • Vacancy: Launch Site Engineer – Vertical Pad Infrastructure

    • Why: Three orbital pads online 2025; relocation allowance.

  7. Spaceport Machrihanish – Argyll

    • Vacancy: Environmental Impact Officer – Hypersonic Flight Corridor

    • Why: Early‑phase planning; green‑field challenge.

  8. National Satellite Test Facility (NSTF) – Harwell

    • Vacancy: Thermal‑Vacuum Chamber Technician – Multi‑Axis Shakers

    • Why: Largest TVAC in Europe; shift uplift pay.

  9. University of Surrey – Surrey Space Centre

    • Vacancy: CubeSat Structural PhD – Deployable Booms

    • Why: Fully funded studentship; spin‑out pipeline.

  10. Digital Catapult – SPIN‑UK Accelerator – London & Belfast

    • Vacancy: Programme Manager – Space Tech Start‑up Cohorts

    • Why: Hands‑on with 30 new ventures each year.

Hiring trends we’re seeing for 2025

  • Launch finally lifts off. Scotland’s spaceports have moved from plans to pad pours, so avionics, range‑safety & cryo‑propulsion roles doubled since 2024.

  • Debris removal & sustainability go commercial. ADR, refuelling and space‑situational‑awareness skills command 20 % salary premiums.

  • In‑orbit manufacturing is real. Thermal‑protection and re‑entry‑vehicle engineers now feature in 1 in 6 adverts.

  • Data is king. Python/ML proficiency appears in over half of downstream postings, eclipsing classic GIS skill‑sets.

  • Hybrid beats fully remote. Two to three lab or range days per week is the norm, though EO‑data & software roles often remain remote‑first.

How to maximise your applications

  1. Tailor your CV – cite delta‑V achieved, mass saved, revisit times improved or code‑runtime reductions that translate to mission value.

  2. Use our filters – search “propulsion + Edinburgh”, “SSA + remote” or “spaceport + contract” on UKSpaceJobs.co.uk.

  3. Set a job alert – we’ll email you when we refresh this Hotlist (next edition: October 2025).

  4. Network smartly – attend Space‑Comm Expo UK, UK Space Conference, ESA Industry Days & ISU Alumni Meet‑ups; many employers above sponsor & hire on‑site.

  5. Upskill continuously – master ECSS standards, STK/Astrogator, Px4 Autopilot, CCSDS protocols & machine‑learning for hyperspectral imagery to stay in demand.

About this Hotlist

Approximate word count: 2 560.
Every employer was confirmed via open UK job adverts, career portals or formal hiring announcements within the eight weeks before publication.

Found it useful? Share on LinkedIn and tag @UK Space Jobs, & help fellow enthusiasts discover fresh opportunities. Bookmark this page – it’s refreshed quarterly so you’ll always know who’s hiring right now.

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