Senior Communications Engineer

Astroscale; East Hagbourne; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - GBP 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leader in on-orbit servicing is looking for a Senior Communications Engineer to manage spacecraft communication subsystems. This role entails responsibilities such as designing link budgets, managing communication unit procurement, and engaging with cross-functional teams. Candidates should possess a degree in Electronics or Communications and have substantial experience in space communications. The position offers a competitive salary and benefits, along with opportunities for hybrid work arrangements.

Benefits

Competitive base salary

Flexible working hours

Hybrid working availability

25 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays

Private healthcare

Relocation allowance

Qualifications

• Bachelor or master’s degree in a relevant subject (e.g. Electronics, communications).
• Strong experience in spacecraft communication requirement creation and management.
• Strong experience in creating and management of satellite link budgets.
• Experience in frequency licensing constraints (ITU) for old and new space applications.
• Hands-on testing experience with communication circuits.

Responsibilities

• Manage the comms subsystem and work package management including design baseline.
• Input and review system satellite data link budgets.
• Select, procure, and manage communication units and antennas.
• Design and execute unit level acceptance tests.
• Mentor and guide younger members of the communications team.

Skills

Spacecraft communication requirement creation

Satellite link budgets

Design and development of spacecraft communication subsystems

Frequency licensing constraints

Hands-on testing of communication circuits

Education

Bachelor or master's degree in a relevant subject

Job description

Astroscale UK is adding a Senior Communications Engineer to join our Avionics team, and work on our ground breaking missions.

Day to day activities will include designing link budgets, antenna analysis, data to ground budgets and communication related Fault Detection, Isolation, and Recovery (FDIR) to name a few. There will also be involvement in validation and verification with the Assembly, Integration and Verification (AIV) team including generating communication unit test procedures.

This role requires someone with the experience, knowledge, and confidence to manage the comms subsystem. We also need a great team player as there will be lots of interaction with other teams such as systems, Command & Data Handling (C&DH), procurement and AIV.

Responsibilities

• The successful candidate will be get to be involved in:
• Work package management including:
  • Design Baseline/ Architecture of sub system
  • Requirements Management & VCD
• Input and review system satellite data link budgets
• Selection, procurement and supplier management of all communication units including (but not limited to)
  • TxRx units and Antenna
  • GNSS Antenna
• Multipath analysis (including any impingement/interference issues)
• ITU regulations support
• Ground station selection and discussion support to ground team.
• Design and execution of unit level acceptance tests including:
  • Hardware acceptance, basic functional, and performance testing
  • Design and manufacture of supporting testbeds at unit level
• The creation and management of resources, schedules and cost estimates that meet applicable requirements, standards and regulations.
• Mentoring and guiding younger members of the communications team when needed

Essential Skills

• Bachelor or master’s degree in a relevant subject (e.g. Electronics, communications).
• Strong experience in spacecraft communication requirement creation and management.
• Strong experience in creating and management of satellite link budgets.
• Modelling and simulating comms space-to-ground links
• Strong experience in design and development of spacecraft communication subsystems and their architectures.
• Experience in frequency licensing constraints (ITU) for old and new space applications.
• Be eligible and registered to work within the UK and Europe.
• Experience of communication circuits and hands on testing.
• Experience on communication verification and validation plans and procedures for satellite designs.

Desirable skills

• Good knowledge of overall satellite systems design.
• Experience of antenna design and propagation.
• Detailed understanding of communications link budget analysis and design.
• Familiarity with ITU regulations and licensing processes.

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
• State of the art office and cleanroom facility
• Regular social events

Location

Astroscale UK (Harwell).

About Astroscale

Founded in 2013, Astroscale is the global leader in on-orbit servicing, dedicated to the secure and sustainable development of space for the benefit of future generations. We provide trusted and value-added solutions for government and commercial clients from their geography of choice, to drive the long-term, circular space economy. Astroscale is also collaborating with government and commercial stakeholders to develop norms, regulations, and incentives that promote the sustainable growth of space.

Since our first successful launch in March 2021, Astroscale has proven rendezvous and proximity operations technologies in orbit during the ELSA-d and ADRAS-J missions, establishing the company as a leader in on-orbit servicing. 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 OneWeb. As more satellite operators adopt on-orbit servicing to routinely inspect, service and remove, the potential of a circular space economy — and a future of no waste in space — is being unlocked.

At Astroscale 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 is also open to supporting job share arrangements, to further our flexible working offering.

Note to recruitment agencies: Astroscale 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.