Hardware Engineer Uk Visa Sponsorship

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY

Astroscale UK is seeking a Senior GNC Hardware Engineer to join its GNC team.

Astroscale’s method for capturing uncontrolled space debris is very innovative, and it will help to reclaim our orbital ecosystems for future generations. This technology relies largely on advanced GNC subsystems that allow our spacecraft to complete their missions. Rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking with uncontrolled and often unprepared objects is a difficult task; thus, we are searching for someone who is willing to collaborate with a group of like-minded GNC Engineers to confront the numerous obstacles ahead of us and help make history.

The GNC group oversees all aspects of Astroscale’s GNC subsystems, including algorithms, simulations, payloads, and hardware. In your role, you will be responsible for selecting, modelling, qualifying, and integrating GNC sensors/actuators and payloads for AS missions.

The chosen candidate will join an experienced and capable group of like-minded individuals who comprise the global GNC team, bringing an ideal blend of GNC experience from both the commercial and academic realms.

In addition to technical skills, the successful candidate must be a team player and able to deliver in accordance with the different drivers associated with commercial companies, whether contractual, schedule, or otherwise.

This position will enable the ideal applicant to shape solutions for our missions. While the candidate will work largely in the United Kingdom, they will interact with a bigger team at Astroscale’s other offices and may be required to travel to these locations, particularly Tokyo, as needed to support Astroscale projects and operations.

We are a fast-growing firm where you may build on your knowledge and talents to help your team achieve incredible achievements. Your work will help us make a difference every day by ensuring that the GNC team is well-positioned to advance our missions and contribute to making space safer and more sustainable for future generations.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to GNC hardware trade-offs for AS missions.
• Contribute to the creation of a GNC subsystem V&V (Verification and Validation) plan, which includes the design and validation of custom GNC testbeds.
• Conduct GNC subsystem development testing with EM (Engineering Model) hardware on dedicated testbeds (PIL and HIL).
• Contribute to the GNC subsystem/spacecraft integration planning and implementation.
• Support GNC hardware environmental testing (e.g., vibration, temperature, vacuum, radiation).
• Support GNC’s hardware procurement activities by collaborating with vendors and supply chain management engineers.
• Support in-orbit operation as a part of the GNC team (e.g., analysis of GNC hardware performance, creation of the commissioning plan for GNC hardware).
• Contribute to both present development-focused and future production-focused GNC operations, such as QA (Quality Assurance) processes.
• Contribute to system-wide tasks such as defining FMECA (Failure Mode, Effects, and Criticality Analysis) and FDIR (Fault/Failure Detection, Isolation, and Recovery) processes.

Essential Skills

• Degree in aerospace engineering or a related engineering/science degree.
• Experience with hardware assembly, integration, and verification (AIV).
• Experience in systems engineering.
• Experience working with third-party contractors and suppliers.
• Excellent communication abilities.
• Can work independently with initiative and collaboratively as part of larger GNC/project groups.
• Can achieve a solid mix between a creative engineering approach and the ability to meet commercial requirements on schedule.

Experience in one (or more of the following):

• Practical knowledge of digital electronics applicable to a GNC system (communications protocols, satellite command and data handling, digital integration to enable Hardware-in-the-Loop testing, etc.).
• Experience with GNC sensors, including sun sensors, star trackers, IMUs, magnetometers, and GNC actuators such as magnetometers and response wheels.
• Experience working with active optical sensors (e.g., radar, laser range finder, LiDAR) and cameras, including designing appropriate functional testing, calibration, and verification.

Desirable Skills

• Experience with people management or team leadership.
• Programming experience using Python and Matlab.
• Knowledge of missions involving active debris removal or RPO: RemoveDebris, CleanSpace/ESA initiatives such as DeOrbit, DEOS, ATV, ETS-7, and DARPA Express.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary.
• Opportunity to collaborate with a highly talented, varied, and dynamic international team using cutting-edge technology.
• Flexible working arrangements around core hours in a welcoming and supportive atmosphere
• Hybrid working is available (based on individual position requirements).
• 25 days holiday (growing yearly up to a maximum of 28 days) plus 8 days bank holiday
• Life insurance and long-term ill pay.
• Private healthcare (a taxable benefit).
• Relocation Allowance
• Visa sponsorship for employees is considered.
• New modern office and cleanroom facilities.
• Regular social events

Location

Astroscale UK (Harwell), with prospective trip to Astroscale Japan (Tokyo).

About Astroscale.

We intend to deliver cutting-edge technologies that will be integrated into everyday commercial space activities by 2030.

Astroscale is the first commercial enterprise with a vision to ensure the safe and sustainable development of space for future generations, as well as the sole provider of in-orbit servicing across all orbits. Founded in 2013, we are developing innovative and scalable solutions for a wide range of in-orbit servicing missions, including end-of-life services, active debris removal, in-situ space situational awareness, and life extension services, in order to create sustainable space systems and mitigate the hazardous buildup of space debris.

Astroscale is an equal opportunity employer that values a diverse workforce. All competent applicants, particularly minorities, women, and those with impairments, are urged to apply.

Astroscale has a preferred supplier list and does not accept unsolicited agency inquiries. Please do not send candidate CVs or information in response to this advertisement, or to any Astroscale employee.