Space Jobs at Newly Funded UK Start-ups: Q3 2025 Investment Tracker

1. The UK’s Space Sector: A Rapidly Expanding Frontier

Before diving into Q3 2025’s funding news, let’s contextualise why the UK’s space ecosystem is flourishing:

1. Government Support

   • The UK Space Agency has ramped up investments, including grant schemes and support for spaceports (like those in Scotland), fostering a welcoming environment for start-ups.

   • Initiatives under the National Space Strategy encourage collaboration between academia, industry, and government to develop launch capabilities, satellite technology, and more.

2. Robust Funding & Venture Capital

   • London remains a hub for tech-focused VC firms, many now turning their gaze to the high-growth potential of space-based enterprises.

   • Grants and innovation-focused finance (through Innovate UK, ESA Business Incubation Centres) further supplement private investment.

3. Diverse Applications

   • UK start-ups address not just launch services, but satellite constellations for Earth observation, communications, weather forecasting, asteroid mining prospects, and in-orbit servicing.

   • Industries like agriculture, maritime, and logistics rely on satellite data, boosting local demand for advanced space tech solutions.

4. Talent Pipeline

   • Leading universities produce space scientists, engineers, and data specialists. A cross-pollination of aerospace, robotics, AI, and materials science fosters next-generation space innovation.

By Q3 2025, these conditions have enabled multiple space ventures to secure fresh capital and spark a fresh wave of recruitment. Let’s see how this benefits job seekers in the field.

2. Why Q3 2025’s Funding Matters for Space Job Seekers

Tracking newly funded space companies can open doors to career opportunities:

1. Immediate Hiring

   • Post-funding, start-ups expand teams fast—particularly for engineering, operations, and product development roles.

2. Competitive Compensation

   • Venture-backed firms can offer attractive salaries, equity options, and benefits, especially for specialised skills in satellite design, propulsion, or mission operations.

3. Hands-On Impact

   • Early hires contribute significantly to product direction, technical decisions, and mission strategy, meaning you’ll see tangible outcomes—like satellites launched or rocket prototypes tested.

4. Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration

   • Space demands a blend of aeronautics, software, robotics, data analytics, and business acumen. Working in a space start-up fosters multi-faceted skill development.

5. Potential for Rapid Growth

   • With the global space economy expanding, start-ups that showcase technology breakthroughs can scale quickly, offering major career progression and possible equity returns for early employees.

Now, let’s reveal the Q3 2025 newly funded space start-ups and explore the roles they’re keen to fill.

3. Q3 2025 Space Funding in the UK: Key Highlights

Despite global headwinds, UK space ventures achieved significant funding rounds this quarter, indicating unwavering investor confidence in British aerospace innovation. Below, we profile five start-ups that secured fresh capital, detailing their focus, funding amounts, and current hiring needs.

4. OrbitalNova – Small Satellite Constellations

• Funding Round: Series B

• Amount Raised: £15 million

• Headquarters: London

• Focus: LEO smallsat constellations for Earth observation

Company Snapshot

OrbitalNova specialises in designing and deploying low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites optimised for high-resolution Earth imaging. Their proprietary sensor fusion technology yields real-time data for agriculture, disaster management, and urban planning. With multiple pilot satellites already in orbit, OrbitalNova seeks to ramp up constellation deployment, delivering near-continuous global coverage that can rival larger incumbents.

Use of Funds

Their £15 million Series B enables:

1. Mass Satellite Production

   • Move from custom-building satellites to a semi-automated line, reducing costs and manufacturing timelines.

2. Launch Partnerships

   • Collaborate with UK and EU launch providers to secure rideshare opportunities, ensuring regular expansion of the constellation.

3. Team Growth

   • Hire satellite engineers, mission operators, and data specialists to handle design, integration, and client-facing analytics.

Key Space Roles at OrbitalNova

1. Satellite Systems Engineer

   • Responsibilities: Oversee design from power and thermal subsystems to payload integration, ensure mission reliability.

   • Skills Needed: Systems engineering, space-grade electronics, knowledge of end-to-end satellite architecture, RF comms.

2. Attitude & Orbit Control Specialist (AOCS)

   • Responsibilities: Develop algorithms for precise satellite pointing, manage reaction wheels, thruster firings, and orbit manoeuvres.

   • Skills Needed: MATLAB/Simulink for simulation, orbital mechanics, control theory, sensor fusion (star trackers, gyros).

3. Payload Data Analyst

   • Responsibilities: Process incoming Earth observation data, apply AI-based classification, generate analytics for clients in agriculture, environment, or security.

   • Skills Needed: Python, image processing (GDAL, openCV), geospatial analysis, basic Earth observation/remote sensing knowledge.

4. Mission Operations Lead

   • Responsibilities: Manage satellite fleet in real-time, schedule tasks, handle anomaly resolution, liaise with ground stations.

   • Skills Needed: Ground station software (STK, mission control systems), strong organisational skills, crisis management experience.

OrbitalNova suits professionals looking to scale Earth observation constellations, bridging hardware, software, and mission control.

5. LaunchEdge UK – Responsive Small Rocket Launch Services

• Funding Round: Series A

• Amount Raised: £10 million

• Headquarters: Glasgow

• Focus: Dedicated small rocket launches from UK spaceports

Company Snapshot

LaunchEdge UK focuses on small-lift rockets tailored to put micro and nanosatellites into low-Earth orbit, offering rapid, dedicated launches instead of rideshare dependencies. Leveraging Scotland’s growing spaceport infrastructure, LaunchEdge aims for quick turnaround times and flexible payload integration, appealing to start-ups and research institutions eager to control their launch schedules.

Use of Funds

Their £10 million Series A enables:

1. Rocket Testing & Validation

   • Progress from suborbital tests to full orbital flights, refine rocket propulsion and stage separation mechanisms.

2. Spaceport Partnerships

   • Strengthen ties with UK and Nordic spaceport facilities, establishing routine launch windows.

3. Hiring Drive

   • Add propulsion engineers, avionics specialists, and ground operations staff to ensure safe, reliable orbital missions.

Key Space Roles at LaunchEdge

1. Propulsion Engineer (Liquid/Solid)

   • Responsibilities: Design, test, and optimise rocket engines, manage tank pressurisation, handle cooling and turbopumps.

   • Skills Needed: Thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, hands-on test stand experience, possibly cryogenic propellant knowledge.

2. Avionics & Guidance Engineer

   • Responsibilities: Develop rocket flight computers, implement GNSS and inertial navigation, ensure real-time data links.

   • Skills Needed: Embedded C/C++, FPGA/PCB design, flight control algorithms, EMI/EMC compliance.

3. Launch Operations Manager

   • Responsibilities: Coordinate launch campaign logistics, safety checks, range scheduling, and data recording during flight.

   • Skills Needed: Aerospace project management, strong communication, familiarity with launch regulations (CAA, ESA).

4. Integration & Test Technician

   • Responsibilities: Assemble rocket stages, handle final inspections, run pre-flight checklists, maintain quality standards.

   • Skills Needed: Mechanical/electrical aptitude, attention to detail, comfortable with high-stakes test environments.

LaunchEdge appeals to engineers craving hands-on rocket design and the thrill of sending satellites to orbit from UK soil.

6. LunarQuest – Deep Space Exploration & Lunar Landers

• Funding Round: Seed

• Amount Raised: £5 million

• Headquarters: Oxford

• Focus: Lunar landers and in-situ resource utilisation (ISRU)

Company Snapshot

LunarQuest designs small robotic landers and rovers targeting Earth’s moon and beyond. By exploring near-lunar resources—like water ice, regolith—it aims to support future human settlement and commercial lunar bases. Though they’ve yet to conduct a full lunar mission, preliminary hardware tests and simulation models have intrigued multiple investors, especially as space agencies shift focus to cislunar exploration.

Use of Funds

Their £5 million seed round supports:

1. Lander Prototype Development

   • Build and test hardware for lunar descent, landing, and surface navigation, focusing on reliability in vacuum and microgravity.

2. Resource Extraction Experiments

   • Investigate regolith excavation, oxygen extraction, 3D printing with lunar soil for structures, forging potential ESA or NASA collaborations.

3. Team Expansion

   • Recruit robotics engineers, planetary scientists, and mission designers to finalise a demonstration mission concept.

Key Space Roles at LunarQuest

1. Planetary Robotics Engineer

   • Responsibilities: Develop rovers or lander manipulators suited for lunar terrain, handle extreme temperature swings and dusty conditions.

   • Skills Needed: Harsh environment design, mechatronics, traction control, materials rated for vacuum or radiation exposure.

2. Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) Specialist

   • Responsibilities: Plan lunar descent profiles, integrate star trackers, lasers, or cameras for accurate landing, simulate flight dynamics.

   • Skills Needed: Orbital mechanics, MATLAB/Simulink, experience with lunar approach constraints, sensor fusion.

3. In-Situ Resource Utilisation Researcher

   • Responsibilities: Explore regolith handling, test small-scale oxygen extraction or water ice processing, plan future large-scale ISRU systems.

   • Skills Needed: Chemical/materials engineering, planetary geology, lab or vacuum chamber experiments, data analysis.

4. Mission Concept & Partnerships Manager

   • Responsibilities: Align mission objectives with ESA/NASA calls, build consortia with other space companies, handle proposal writing and budgeting.

   • Skills Needed: Knowledge of space agency processes, strong networking, strategic planning, advanced communication skills.

LunarQuest appeals to those eager to push deep space exploration and lay groundwork for a permanent human presence on the moon.

7. SatShield Defence – Space Domain Awareness & Debris Tracking

• Funding Round: Series A

• Amount Raised: £8 million

• Headquarters: Reading

• Focus: Satellite protection, debris monitoring, and in-orbit security

Company Snapshot

SatShield Defence addresses the rising concern of space debris and potential anti-satellite threats. Their constellation of monitoring satellites and ground-based radar stations detect debris, suspicious satellite manoeuvres, or collisions in low-Earth orbit. Advanced AI quickly analyses anomalies, alerting operators and governments to possible space environment risks.

Use of Funds

With £8 million in Series A, SatShield aims to:

1. Expand Debris Constellation

   • Launch more monitoring satellites, integrate improved sensor arrays, reduce coverage gaps.

2. Develop Collision Avoidance Protocols

   • Work with private and governmental partners to provide real-time alerts and recommended manoeuvres.

3. Grow R&D & Operations

   • Hire orbital mechanics experts, data analysts, and defence liaisons to fortify services and clientele.

Key Space Roles at SatShield

1. Satellite Operator (Space Situational Awareness)

   • Responsibilities: Oversee monitoring satellites, interpret sensor data, handle real-time anomaly detection, coordinate with ground radar.

   • Skills Needed: Space environment knowledge, telemetry/telecommand experience, good decision-making under time constraints.

2. Orbital Dynamics Analyst

   • Responsibilities: Model debris trajectories, calculate collision probabilities, advise on avoidance manoeuvres for satellites.

   • Skills Needed: Astrodynamics, numerical methods, HPC or cloud computing, familiarity with debris population models.

3. Defence & Security Liaison

   • Responsibilities: Manage relationships with military or security agencies, shape system features to align with national space security objectives.

   • Skills Needed: Defence contracting background, excellent negotiation, understanding of satellite architecture.

4. AI/ML Engineer (SSA)

   • Responsibilities: Develop machine learning models to detect unusual satellite behaviour or new debris objects, filter noise from raw sensor data.

   • Skills Needed: Python, deep learning frameworks, sensor fusion, strong data engineering for large-scale satellite telemetry.

SatShield is ideal for those wanting to protect Earth’s orbit—a critical endeavour in an age of growing traffic and potential threats.

8. Essential Skills & Qualifications in the Space Sector

Across these start-ups, certain skills consistently emerge:

1. Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering

   • Covering launch vehicles, satellites, propulsion, structural design, and flight control.

2. Satellite & Orbital Mechanics

   • Modelling, mission planning, and controlling spacecraft in Earth orbits or cislunar space.

3. Systems Engineering & Integration

   • Coordinating complex subsystems (power, thermal, comms, payload) into a cohesive spacecraft.

4. Software & AI

   • Firmware for flight computers, embedded systems, ground station software, machine learning for data analytics.

5. Hardware Skills

   • Electronics design (PCBs, RF comms), mechanical structures, space-grade materials, test rig setups.

6. Safety & Compliance

   • Understanding ECSS standards (European Cooperation for Space Standardization), ISO certifications, or NASA/ESA guidelines.

7. Project Management & Collaboration

   • Multi-disciplinary teams require strong interpersonal communication, scheduling, budgeting, and risk management.

8. Research Mindset

   • The space sector is R&D-intensive, so an aptitude for problem-solving and continuous learning is vital.

9. How to Secure a Role at a Newly Funded Space Start-up

Competition can be high, so consider these steps:

1. Tailor Your CV & Portfolio

   • Emphasise relevant projects—be it a CubeSat you worked on, a rocket engine test, or an orbital simulation tool you developed. Quantify achievements where possible.

2. Highlight Domain Expertise

   • If you’re applying to a lunar or debris-tracking start-up, mention academic research or professional experience in planetary science, smallsat missions, or collision detection.

3. Stay Up-to-Date

   • Follow space agency announcements (ESA, UKSA), read industry blogs, watch for new standards or novel tech (e.g., advanced thrusters, quantum-safe comms).

4. Network Strategically

   • Attend aerospace gatherings, Farnborough Airshow, or local space meetups. Engage in LinkedIn groups dedicated to space professionals. Personal referrals can expedite hiring.

5. Prepare for Technical Assessments

   • Expect scenario-based challenges: “Design a small thruster for a 6U CubeSat,” or “Derive a mission plan for LEO insertion.” Practise your approach.

6. Demonstrate Teamwork

   • Space missions require cross-functional synergy. Showcase collaborations across engineering, operations, or science teams in past roles.

10. Q4 2025 Outlook for the UK Space Sector

If Q3 funding is indicative, Q4 2025 looks equally promising:

• In-Orbit Servicing & Debris Removal

  • More start-ups may focus on active debris capture, satellite refuelling, or life-extension, spurred by ESA and commercial interest.

• Commercial Space Stations

  • Early partnerships exploring commercial LEO outposts or microgravity R&D hubs could emerge, offering new hardware and mission roles.

• Deep Space Collaboration

  • Joint missions for lunar or asteroid resource utilisation, possibly involving new UK-based consortia, fostering advanced propulsion and comms R&D.

• Data Analytics

  • Rapid expansion of Earth observation and smallsat constellations will amplify demand for sophisticated data pipelines, AI-based analytics, and real-time insights platforms.

Tracking these trends can help you align your skills with emerging missions and roles.

11. Ready to Boost Your Space Career? Register on UKSpaceJobs.co.uk

If these newly funded UK start-ups speak to your passion for space, the simplest path to connect with them is via UKSpaceJobs.co.uk. Our platform focuses exclusively on space-related roles—encompassing satellite design, launch services, deep space exploration, and more.

Why Register Your Profile?

1. Space-Dedicated Job Listings

   • Save time combing through generic job boards. We exclusively feature roles within the space sector, from mission operations to satellite manufacturing.

2. Personalised Alerts

   • Specify your interests (satellite engineering, propulsion, ground station ops, data science), location, or salary. We’ll notify you of relevant openings as soon as they appear.

3. Visibility to Recruiters

   • Newly funded start-ups often browse our CV database before publicly listing roles. By being visible, you could be invited to interviews promptly.

4. Showcase Your Expertise

   • Upload your CV summarising relevant projects (CubeSat competitions, rocket engine tests, space station modules), highlight mission successes, or academic research.

5. Community & Resources

   • Access career tips, read space industry updates, and discuss new standards or technology in our forum. Stay current on developments shaping space innovation.

How to Get Started

1. Create a Free Account

   • Visit UKSpaceJobs.co.uk and click Sign Up.

2. Complete Your Profile

   • Emphasise your formal education (BSc/MSc/PhD in aerospace, physics, engineering), any aerospace/defence roles, or professional certifications.

3. Upload Your CV

   • Use bullet points, highlight quantifiable achievements: “Led a 12-person CubeSat mission with 95% success,” or “Reduced satellite bus mass by 10% through new composite structures.”

4. Set Job Alerts

   • Filter roles by type (hardware, software, operations, business), region (London, Edinburgh, remote), and salary range.

5. Search & Apply

   • Browse curated postings, including those from Q3’s newly funded ventures (like OrbitalNova or LaunchEdge). Some roles allow one-click applications for speed.

Final Thoughts

Q3 2025’s funding announcements underscore the UK’s rising stature in the global space sector—covering everything from smallsat constellations and rapid launch services to lunar exploration and orbital debris monitoring. These newly funded start-ups aren’t just indicative of investor confidence; they also unlock career opportunities for engineers, data scientists, mission analysts, and commercial strategists.

By registering on UKSpaceJobs.co.uk, you can position yourself at the epicentre of UK space recruitment. Whether your passion lies in building next-gen satellites, designing rocket propulsion, or orchestrating lunar missions, there’s a newly funded company likely seeking your skills. Embrace the space renaissance, refine your expertise, and prepare to help shape the future of orbital and deep space exploration.