Ground Segment Software Team Lead

Holt Executive
Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
4 days ago
£65,000 – £95,000 pa

Salary

£65,000 – £95,000 pa

Seniority
Lead
Posted
17 Apr 2026 (4 days ago)

This is a rare opportunity to join a fast-growing space technology organisation tackling one of the most critical challenges facing the industry today, ensuring the long-term sustainability of space operations. You’ll play a key role in developing advanced ground segment systems that support cutting-edge satellite missions.

We’re looking for an experienced Ground Segment Software Team Lead to drive both the technical direction and people leadership of a high-performing engineering team. This role combines hands-on software development with system-level thinking and team management responsibility.

You will lead the development of ground segment software used to operate complex space missions, contributing to system architecture, overseeing delivery, and ensuring high-quality, reliable solutions. Alongside your technical responsibilities, you’ll manage and mentor a team of engineers, supporting their growth and performance.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the design, development, validation, and maintenance of ground segment software systems

Contribute to system architecture and high-level design decisions

Capture and define requirements, translating them into use cases and user stories

Oversee software development, integration, testing, and deployment activities

Ensure documentation is complete, accurate, and aligned with requirements

Support system verification, validation, and integration activities

Contribute to mission system testing and simulation campaigns

Collaborate with operations teams to troubleshoot issues and provide technical guidance

Manage project work packages, timelines, and delivery milestones

Lead and develop a team of software engineers, including performance reviews and day-to-day support

Essential Skills & Experience

Degree in Computer Science, Telecommunications, or a related engineering discipline

Proven experience across the full software development lifecycle (requirements through to maintenance)

Strong background in satellite ground segment or mission control systems

Experience designing and developing complex software systems for space or similar domains

Proficiency in Java and/or Python

Experience working in Linux environments, including shell scripting

Familiarity with Mission Control Systems (e.g. SCOS-2000 or similar)

Understanding of software engineering best practices and project lifecycle processes

Experience leading or mentoring engineering teams

Knowledge of ECSS standards

Familiarity with containerisation and cloud technologies (Docker, Kubernetes)

Desirable Experience

Background in spacecraft operations or close collaboration with operations teams

Experience working in Agile/Scrum environments

Knowledge of spacecraft communication protocols (e.g. CCSDS, CAN, SpaceWire)

What’s on Offer

Hybrid and flexible working arrangements

25 days holiday (increasing with service) + bank holidays

Private healthcare and life insurance

Long-term sick pay

Optional compressed working pattern (9/75)

Relocation support and visa sponsorship available (where applicable)

Modern office and engineering facilities

Collaborative, international team environment

Regular social and team events

About the Opportunity

You’ll be joining an organisation at the forefront of next-generation space technology, working on mission-critical systems that support the future of satellite operations. This is a chance to make a tangible impact in a highly innovative and purpose-driven environment, while leading a team at the cutting edge of ground segment software engineering.

TT

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Flight Software Team Lead

Hays Technology Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
£70,000 – £110,000 pa

Senior Systems Operations Engineer

Spire Glasgow, Alba / Scotland, G2 1AL, United Kingdom

Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer

Holt Executive Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
£60,000 – £94,000 pa

Systems Engineer

Langham Recruitment Guildford, United Kingdom

Satellite Systems Engineer 2343-1

Tatton Recruitment Hilsea, Hampshire, United Kingdom
£55 ph

Satellite Systems Engineer 2343-1

Certain Advantage Hilsea

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

Where to Advertise Space Jobs in the UK (2026 Guide)

Advertising space jobs in the UK requires a different approach to most technical hiring. The candidate pool spans satellite engineers, propulsion specialists, mission analysts, ground segment software developers, space systems architects and commercial space professionals — a highly specific multidisciplinary community that general job boards are poorly equipped to reach. The strongest space candidates are often embedded in ESA programmes, academic research groups, UK Space Agency-funded projects or established primes, and move between roles through sector-specific networks, industry bodies and conference communities rather than mainstream platforms. This guide, published by UKSpaceJobs.co.uk, covers where to advertise space industry roles in the UK in 2026, how the main platforms compare, what employers should expect to pay, and what the data says about hiring across different role types.

New Space Employers to Watch in 2026: UK and Global Organisations Driving the Future of Space Careers

The space industry is entering a new era of growth, innovation, and commercial opportunity. Satellites, space exploration, Earth observation, space data analytics, launch systems and space infrastructure are all areas seeing rapid expansion, bringing demand for engineers, scientists, operations specialists and software developers. For professionals exploring opportunities on www.UKSpaceJobs.co.uk , identifying employers that are scaling, securing major contracts, attracting investment, or establishing UK operations is vital. This article highlights the most exciting space employers to watch in 2026, including UK space start‑ups, established aerospace organisations with UK teams, and global firms investing in British space talent.

How Many Space Industry Tools Do You Need to Know to Get a UK Space Job?

If you’re pursuing a career in the space industry — whether that’s spacecraft engineering, mission operations, space software, satellite systems, ground segment integration or space data analytics — it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of tools, platforms and technologies mentioned in job adverts. One role wants experience with CAD and FEA software. Another asks for experience with GNSS simulation. A third mentions mission scheduling tools, RF link analysis suites, Python, C++, continuous integration — and it seems there’s always another acronym to learn. With so much listed, many candidates fall into the trap of thinking they must master every tool under the sun before they’ll be taken seriously. Here’s the honest truth most UK space hiring managers won’t say out loud: 👉 They don’t hire you because you’ve heard of every tool — they hire you because you can apply the right tools to solve real space problems, explain your reasoning clearly, and deliver results. Tools matter, but they always serve a purpose: achieving mission goals, improving reliability, reducing risk, delivering data, or enabling collaboration. Tools are enablers — not trophies. So how many tools do you actually need to know to get a space job? The answer is much fewer and far more strategic than you might think. This article breaks down: what tools employers really expect which ones are core across most space roles which ones are role-specific how to present your tool proficiency on your CV and in interviews