Communications Engineer

Astroscale is seeking to employ an experienced and motivated Satellite Communications Engineer at our facility based in Harwell, UK.

This is an exciting position, with responsibilities covering the full lifecycle of our spacecraft; from early design of the electronic systems and interfaces to hands-on work through to creating test plans and being part of the AIV activities. As the team is still quite small, if offers the incumbent the potential to be instrumental in the Communications engineering direction.

This is a unique opportunity to join a dynamic and rapidly growing company seeking to make a positive contribution to the growing problem of orbital debris that endangers mankind’s continued use of space as an asset. The technology of our mission is complex and demanding, with a high amount of data going through the system. As the mission requires our spacecraft to move towards another spacecraft, it has many unique and critical features within the communication system. 

Responsibilities

• Support the design, development and delivery of satellite communications subsystems across the full spacecraft lifecycle, from early concept and requirements definition through to integration, verification and mission operations.
• Review, develop and maintain communications subsystem requirements, specifications and interface definitions, including supplier-facing requirements where appropriate.
• Define and develop communications subsystem verification strategies, test plans and acceptance criteria for spacecraft equipment and system-level validation.
• Define, analyse and manage communications budgets and link performance, including RF performance, data rates, margins and operational constraints.
• Support Failure Mode, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) and Fault Detection, Isolation, Recovery (FDIR) activities to ensure communications subsystem robustness, fault detection and safe recovery during mission operations.
• Coordinate with systems engineering, avionics, ground segment, operations and other subsystem teams to define Concept of Operations, Interface Control Documents (ICDs), development plans and verification approaches at subsystem and system level.
• Plan, prepare and conduct communications subsystem and spacecraft-level verification activities, including RF testing, electrical testing, environmental testing and support to Assembly, Integration and Verification (AIV) campaigns.
• Work with UK-based ground segment and mission operations teams to support end-to-end communications testing, operational readiness and live mission operations globally.
• Review communications equipment, RF unit designs, circuit designs and PCB implementations to confirm they are suitable for their intended spacecraft function and operational environment.
• Engage with partners and suppliers for the provision of communications equipment, supporting procurement engineers with specification, trade-off, selection and review of supplier deliverables against project milestones.
• Maintain clear technical documentation, test evidence and review outputs to support design reviews, project milestones and spacecraft acceptance activities.

Essential Skills & experience

• Diploma; bachelor or master’s degree in electrical engineering or relevant engineering/science discipline.
• 2+ years of commercial experience in space communication systems for satellites.
• Experience in modelling and simulating RF space-to-ground links.
• Experience in frequency licensing constraints (ITU) for old and new space applications.
  
• Experience of RF circuits, RF systems design, and RF testing including environmental testing.
• Experience in working with RF unit suppliers and supporting supplier reviews
  

Desired Skills & Experience

• Experience in physically testing hardware and handling flight equipment in a clean room environment.
• Experience in GNSS RF links
• Experience of analysis radiation tolerances and knowledge of radiation hardness assurance for Low Earth Orbit applications.
• A basic knowledge in the following areas: debris removal, end-of-life, in-orbit servicing and digital space electronic design
  

Candidates for this role should also be able to gain, or already hold, UK Security Clearance to at least SC.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Opportunity to work with a highly talented, diverse & dynamic international team with cutting edge technology
• Flexible working around core hours in a friendly and supportive environment
• Optional 9/75 working pattern
• Hybrid working available (dependent on individual role requirements)
• 25 days holiday (increasing yearly up to a maximum of 28 days) + 8 days Bank Holiday
• Life insurance and long-term sick pay
• Private healthcare (taxable benefit)
• Relocation allowance considered
  
• State of the art office and cleanroom facility
• Regular social events 

Location

Astroscale UK (Harwell).

About Astroscale

Astroscale is the global leader in on-orbit servicing, dedicated to the secure and sustainable development of space. The company delivers a variety of innovative and scalable on-orbit servicing solutions, including life extension, refurbishment, upgrades, in-situ space situational awareness, end-of-life, and active debris removal. Since its first successful launch in March 2021, Astroscale has proven rendezvous and proximity operations technologies in orbit during the ELSA-d and ADRAS-J missions. Astroscale spacecraft have been selected for pioneering missions with JAXA, the U.S. Space Force, the European Space Agency, the UK Space Agency, and Eutelsat. As more satellite operators adopt on-orbit servicing to routinely inspect, relocate, remove, and extend the life of spacecraft, the potential of a circular space economy — and a future of no waste in space — is being unlocked. Headquartered in Japan, Astroscale has a global presence with subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and Israel. Find out more about Astroscale at www.astroscale.com.

At Astroscale UK we pride ourselves on our inclusive culture. Our essential criteria are based solely on the requirements necessary to perform the role. If any criteria could present a barrier, we are open to discussing reasonable adjustments and are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process. Astroscale UK is also open to supporting job share arrangements, to further our flexible working offering.

Note to recruitment agencies: Astroscale UK operates a preferred Supplier List, and we do not accept unsolicited agency approaches. Please do not forward candidate CVs or details in response to this advert, or to any Astroscale employee.