Space Systems Engineer

Location(s): UK, Europe & Africa : UK : Alton || UK, Europe & Africa : UK : Frimley || UK, Europe & Africa : UK : Great Baddow || UK, Europe & Africa : UK : Guildford || UK, Europe & Africa : UK : Leeds || UK, Europe & Africa : UK : London || UK, Europe & Africa : UK : Manchester || UK, Europe & Africa : UK : Preston

BAE Systems Digital Intelligence is home to 4,500 digital, cyber and intelligence experts. We work collaboratively across 10 countries to collect, connect and understand complex data, so that governments, nation states, armed forces and commercial businesses can unlock digital advantage in the most demanding environments.

Job Title: Space Systems Engineer Location: Alton, Guildford, London, Leeds, Manchester (Hybrid working) Grade: GG09-GG10

Who we are

Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow – shaping a safer future, for all of us.

From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space – there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.

Role Description

We are seeking a motivated and technically strong Systems Engineer with experience in space missions — ideally small satellites (Microsats, Nanosats, CubeSats).

In this role, you will contribute to the full lifecycle of space system development: from concept design and requirements definition, through integration, verification, and mission operations.

• Support to the spacecraft operations team for spacecraft anomaly identification and resolution may also be required.

• You’ll work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams and play a key role in ensuring technical coherence, system performance, and successful delivery of mission objectives.

• You will be comfortable working as part of a team to deliver projects to a variety of customers including institutional, academic and commercial organisations.

• Whilst the primary responsibilities of the role lie in project delivery, you may get involved in other areas of the business including space technology and/or space mission studies or R&D projects and technical support to bids.

Core Duties

• Support or lead design activities for small satellite missions;

• Perform mission needs analysis, trade studies, and system architecture development;

• Define, manage, and validate system-level requirements and interfaces;

• Conduct functional analyses, budgets (mass, power, data, thermal), and performance modelling;

• Support to Spacecraft commissioning activities;

• Spacecraft anomaly investigation and resolution;

• Mission concept development in support of studies, R&D activities and bids;

• Support engagement with external equipment providers;

• Produce inputs for internal and customer reviews and present progress to internal stakeholder and external customers.

Essential Requirements

• 3+ years of experience in systems engineering within the space sector;

• Hands-on experience with small satellite programmes (Microsats, Cubesats or similar) preferably across the full project lifecycle;

• Working knowledge of typical spacecraft subsystems (AOCS, Comms, EPS, Payloads, OBC/Software, OBDH);

• Experience in defining, managing, and verifying system-level requirements;

• Experience with industry standards (ECSS, NASA, or equivalent);

• Experience with interfacing to external clients and suppliers and reporting project progress to internal and external stakeholders;

• Working knowledge of spacecraft operations;

• Experience in the delivery of space technology and/or space mission studies or R&D projects;

The ability to obtain high level security clearance is essential.

Why BAE Systems

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work – this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family – support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive.

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

We welcome applications from all candidates and give full, fair and open consideration to everyone. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact our recruitment team to discuss any further support you may need. Connect with us at baesystems.com/connect

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Life at BAE Systems Digital Intelligence

We are embracing Hybrid Working. This means you and your colleagues may be working in different locations, such as from home, another BAE Systems office or client site, some or all of the time, and work might be going on at different times of the day.

By embracing technology, we can interact, collaborate and create together, even when we’re working remotely from one another. Hybrid Working allows for increased flexibility in when and where we work, helping us to balance our work and personal life more effectively, and enhance well-being.

Diversity and inclusion are integral to the success of BAE Systems Digital Intelligence. We are proud to have an organisational culture where employees with varying perspectives, skills, life experiences and backgrounds – the best and brightest minds – can work together to achieve excellence and realise individual and organisational potential.

Division overview: Government

At BAE Systems Digital Intelligence, we pride ourselves in being a leader in the cyber defence industry, and Government contracts are an area we have many decades of experience in. Government and key infrastructure networks are critical targets to defend as the effects of these networks being breached can be devastating.

As a member of the Government business unit, you will defend the connected world and ensure the protection of nations. We all have a role to play in defending our clients, and this is yours.