Part of the Future Tech Jobs (opens in a new tab) network
Sign in

Space Systems Engineer Jobs

Engineers who design, integrate, and test the complex systems that make up spacecraft and satellites. A critical role in ensuring mission success from launch to operation.

Open roles
41
Salary range
£38k – £90k
Hiring companies
13
View 41 live roles → Get an alert

Space Systems Engineers are at the heart of the UK's space sector, working on the intricate systems that power spacecraft and satellites. These engineers are responsible for the design, integration, and testing of everything from propulsion systems to communication networks. They work closely with multidisciplinary teams to ensure that all components of a spacecraft function seamlessly, from the initial concept to the final mission. Major players in the industry, including research-heavy startups, scaleups, and the larger consultancies, all rely on the expertise of Space Systems Engineers to bring their projects to life.

What the role does

Inside the role of a Space Systems Engineer

A typical week for a Space Systems Engineer is a mix of design work, testing, and collaboration with other specialists.

  1. 01
    Conduct system-level design reviews with cross-functional teams.
  2. 02
    Perform simulations and analyses to optimise system performance.
  3. 03
    Participate in integration and testing of subsystems.
  4. 04
    Document and report on test results and system performance.
  5. 05
    Collaborate with project managers to ensure timelines and budgets are met.
  6. 06
    Stay updated on the latest industry standards and technologies.
Salary on the board

£38k – £90k

Based on advertised midpoints across the 70 UK listings priced in pounds in the last 12 months. Base salary only.

Salary visibility
13% of listings advertise a salary — up from 0% the year before.
By seniority
£k base
Mid
45
68
16 jobs
Senior
51
114
22 jobs
Lead
60
87
7 jobs
Skills & tools

What hiring managers ask for

% of 78 listings posted in the last 12 months that mention each skill, extracted from job descriptions.

Systems Engineering
37%
Requirements Management
24%
MATLAB
18%
Simulink
12%
Technical Documentation
10%
System Architecture
10%
MBSE
9%
Python
9%
DOORS
9%
Rhapsody
9%
Project Management
8%
SysML
8%
Career ladder

From Junior to Principal

A typical UK progression for space systems engineers. Years are guidance — strong people move faster, and many senior folks sidestep into research, product or management.

  1. Level 1

    Junior Space Systems Engineer

    0–2 yrs

    Assist in the design and testing of spacecraft systems under the guidance of senior engineers.

  2. Level 2

    Space Systems Engineer

    3–5 yrs

    Take ownership of specific subsystems, leading design and testing efforts, and collaborating with cross-functional teams.

  3. Level 3

    Senior Space Systems Engineer

    6–10 yrs

    Lead the integration and testing of complex spacecraft systems, ensuring they meet mission requirements.

  4. Level 4

    Principal Space Systems Engineer

    10+ yrs

    Oversee the entire systems engineering process, from concept to mission completion, and mentor junior engineers.

Pathway

How to become a Space Systems Engineer

There's no single route, but most people follow some version of these steps.

  1. 1

    Academic Foundation

    Gain a strong educational background in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field.

  2. 2

    Entry-Level Experience

    Start as a Junior Space Systems Engineer, learning the ropes and contributing to design and testing efforts.

  3. 3

    Specialisation

    Develop expertise in a specific area of space systems, such as propulsion, avionics, or thermal management.

  4. 4

    Leadership Roles

    Take on more responsibility, leading subsystem teams and managing complex projects.

  5. 5

    Strategic Oversight

    Advance to a Principal Engineer role, overseeing the entire systems engineering process and mentoring junior staff.

  6. 6

    Industry Expert

    Become a recognised expert in the field, contributing to industry standards and leading major space missions.

Live jobs

41 live roles

See all 41 roles →

Systems Engineering Consultant

The role involves leading major consulting projects in systems engineering, ensuring technical excellence and client satisfaction. Responsibilities include strategic advice on defence programs, developing architectures and technical roadmaps, and mentoring junior consultants. The position requires extensive experience in defence systems engineering, strong stakeholder engagement, and business development skills.

Gregory Martin International Po63Ru, United Kingdom £60,000 – £80,000 pa

Senior Systems Engineer Consultant

As a Senior Systems Engineering Consultant, you will work with clients in the defence, space, and security sectors to analyze problems, capture requirements, and create architectures. You will lead technical projects, apply systems engineering methods, and build client relationships.

Gregory Martin International Chippenham, Wiltshire, United Kingdom £60,000 – £80,000 pa

Spacecraft Systems Engineer

This role involves end-to-end systems engineering for spacecraft missions, from concept through design, integration, and in-orbit operations. The engineer will lead technical trade-offs, manage system budgets (mass, power, data), and ensure requirements traceability across subsystems. It requires strong cross-disciplinary coordination, support for testing and verification, and active involvement in mission-critical reviews and on-orbit commissioning.

Holt Executive Oxfordshire, United Kingdom £40,000 – £70,000 pa

GNC Systems Engineer

An innovative space organisation is seeking a GNC Systems Engineer to contribute to the design, development and verification of Guidance, Navigation and Control systems for complex satellite missions.This is an exciting opportunity to work on advanced GNC and computer vision...

Holt Executive Oxfordshire, United Kingdom £40,000 – £70,000 pa

Satellite Communications Payload Systems Engineer

Payload Systems Engineer required to work on radio frequency RF and optical communications spacecraft equipment to receive, process, amplify, and retransmit Earth Space and Space Earth communication signals.Requirements, deep technical design experience with one or more ofSpace Antennas.Transponders, low power...

Expert Employment Chilton, Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom £38,000 – £68,000 pa

Embedded Systems Engineer

Design and develop real-time embedded software and firmware for satellite communications systems, spanning both space and ground infrastructure. Work on FPGA-based solutions, low-level hardware control, and high-reliability communication protocols in a multidisciplinary engineering environment. Focus on fault tolerance, performance optimisation, and integration across RF, DSP, and embedded systems.

Open Cosmos Ltd Didcot, OX11 0RL, United Kingdom
On-site Permanent

Trainee Systems Engineer - LEAP programme

This role involves participating in a 18-month fully paid Systems Engineering development programme, working on complex systems and bridging the gap between theoretical and practical engineering. You will engage in early-stage research, stakeholder engagement, system design, and integration, supported by mentoring and training.

Matchtech Edinburgh, Alba / Scotland, United Kingdom
On-site Permanent Clearance Required

Security Infrastructure Systems Engineer

The role involves maintaining, securing, and improving core IT infrastructure with a focus on resilience, compliance, and proactive threat mitigation. Responsibilities include system hardening, vulnerability management, security monitoring, incident response, and supporting secure cloud environments. The engineer will work closely with infrastructure and security teams to embed security into system design and operations.

Surrey Satellite Technology Guildford, GU2 7YE, United Kingdom
See all 41 roles →
Hiring locations

Where this role is hiring

The locations with the most live listings for this role today.

Portsmouth

Location
4 open

Oxford

Location
4 open

London

Location
2 open

Glasgow

Location
1 open

Bristol

Location
1 open
FAQs

Common questions

  • A degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field is typically required. Relevant experience and certifications can also be beneficial.

  • Key skills include strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, proficiency in systems engineering tools, and excellent communication and teamwork skills.

  • Career progression typically starts with entry-level roles, moves through specialisation and leadership positions, and culminates in strategic oversight and industry expertise.

  • Salaries can vary widely based on experience and location. For more detailed salary information, please refer to the salary section on this page.

Hiring space systems engineers?

Post your role in 90 seconds and reach the specialist audience that already reads this page.

Post a job → See pricing

🍪 Basic, anonymous analytics (aggregate counts only, never shared) are always on. Accept to also enable third-party tools — Google Analytics, Microsoft Clarity, Mixpanel, Leadfeeder — which help us match you with relevant Space roles. We never sell your data or use it for cross-site advertising. See our Cookie Policy.