UK Space Jobs in London

• London
• On-site
• Senior · manages people
• Permanent

Lead the Guidance, Navigation and Control architecture for a space mission, defining subsystem requirements, simulator and test specifications, and managing the GNC engineering team. The role involves fault-tolerant algorithm design, rendezvous and pose estimation sensors, trajectory design and hardware integration, interfacing with system and robotic architects. Distinct for its focus on in-orbit servicing and space debris removal.

MATLAB · Simulink · Python +1

• London
• On-site
• Senior
• Permanent

Supports the technical development of spacecraft data handling and avionics systems, covering architecture, interfaces and system-level integration across the full mission lifecycle from concept and requirements through design, AIT, launch and in-orbit commissioning. Works closely with subsystem, software and systems engineers, and acts as technical point of contact with project teams, customers and subcontractors.

CAN · SpaceWire · Ethernet +4

• London
• On-site
• Permanent

Owns the full lifecycle of Satellite Laser Ranging and Space Debris Laser Ranging systems, from radiometric link-budget modelling and optical bench assembly to time-of-flight data processing and ground station deployment. Acts as laser safety subject matter expert and works across optical design, hardware integration and Python-based instrument control in a small startup team.

NumPy · SciPy · Pandas +7

• London
• On-site
• Mid-level
• Permanent

Build and maintain a SaaS data platform for satellite laser ranging, working across Python, React and AWS. You'll own both frontend and backend, implement CI/CD and DevOps practices, and collaborate with product to turn user needs into features. As an early team member you'll shape the product and culture.

AWS · Azure · GCP +7

• London
• Hybrid

The role involves architecting 5G non-terrestrial network solutions, applying temporospatial software-defined networking and laser communications technology to satellite and airborne mesh networks. Work spans any radio or optical spectrum, any orbit and any hardware across land, sea, air and space, including cislunar and deep-space communications. The position sits within a team commercialising technology originally acquired from Google.

• London
• On-site
• Senior
• Permanent

Support the technical development of spacecraft across the full mission lifecycle, from concept and requirements definition through design, AIT, launch and in-orbit commissioning. Focus on avionics architecture, interfaces and system-level integration, acting as technical point of contact with customers and subcontractors while maintaining electrical budgets and parametric models.

ECSS · MIL · EMC

• London
• On-site
• Mid-level
• Permanent

Participate in mission design, mission-level verification and operations for current and future in-orbit servicing and debris removal missions. Model orbits, mission phases and parameters for low- and high-thrust trajectories, define CONOPs and operations plans, and run thermal, radiation, illumination and debris mitigation analyses while interfacing with customers and partners.

UKSA · ESA

• London
• On-site
• Senior
• Permanent

Owns the overall spacecraft thermo-mechanical architecture, from concept through launch and operations, as a key member of the Mechanical, Thermal and Propulsion team. Leads mechanical design, interfaces, trade-offs and verification, acting as primary technical focal point for customers, partners and suppliers, with scope to coordinate the MTP domains on a mission.

ECSS · ESA

• London
• On-site
• Mid-level · manages people
• Permanent

Coordinate and execute Assembly, Integration, and Validation activities for current and upcoming space missions, authoring AIV plans, estimating resources, and overseeing daily test operations. Design and maintain test environments including hardware models, harnesses, and IT infrastructure, while driving process improvement and providing technical leadership to the AIV team.

• London
• On-site
• Senior
• Permanent

Owns the spacecraft thermal architecture across all mission phases, defining control strategies, thermal budgets and hardware such as MLI, radiators, heat pipes and heaters. Leads thermal modelling in ESATAN-TMS, verification and TVAC testing, and may coordinate the Mechanical, Thermal and Propulsion domains on a mission. Acts as technical authority liaising with customers, suppliers and partners while mentoring thermal engineers.

ESATAN-TMS · MLI · Heat Pipes +4

• London
• On-site
• Senior
• Permanent

Act as technical authority for spacecraft propulsion design within the Mechanical, Thermal and Propulsion team, owning the propulsion architecture across the mission lifecycle. Lead concept definition, system-level trade-offs, budgets, requirements and verification, with potential to coordinate the MTP domains on a mission. Involves mentoring engineers and engaging customers, suppliers and institutional stakeholders.

Cold Gas Propulsion · Monopropellant Propulsion · Bipropellant Propulsion +1

• London
• On-site
• Mid-level
• Permanent

Develops, integrates and validates GNC software within spacecraft flight software, spanning requirements, design, implementation and verification. Builds simulation environments, software development infrastructure and automated verification frameworks, and runs closed-loop GNC tests on FlatSat and representative test benches. Acts as the interface between the Flight Software and GNC teams across current and future missions.

FlatSat

• London
• On-site
• Mid-level
• Permanent

Own the fit-out and day-to-day running of a new London facility with workshop, labs and cleanroom, managing contractors, landlords and building services. Maintain cleanroom, workshop and lab infrastructure while owning health, safety and environmental compliance including risk assessments, COSHH and fire safety. Also manage facilities budgets, suppliers, security, access and space planning as the team grows.

ISO 14644

• London
• On-site
• Permanent

Designs the electronics that run autonomous satellite laser ranging stations, covering control, power and sensing plus interfaces linking lasers, detectors, telescopes and computers. Involves PCB layout and bring-up, power distribution for remote sites, sensor integration, component selection and supplier management, with lab debugging and field support. Part of a small London team spanning optics, lasers, software and astrodynamics.

KiCad · Altium · C +4

• London
• On-site
• Director · manages people
• Permanent

Lead a growing engineering team across hardware, optics and software, taking satellite laser ranging stations from prototype to repeatable production. Own delivery planning, design reviews and systems engineering processes while working with the CTO on architecture and supporting ESA and customer programmes.

ESA Programmes