E2E Space Systems Communications Engineer

2 weeks ago

Harwell, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom Serco Plc Full time £40,000 - £80,000 per year

Job Introduction

Serco is a leading Space Services Provider with thousands of experts who have supported more than 50 missions for major agencies worldwide, including European Space Agency and NASA. At ECSAT in the United Kingdom, Serco contributes to some of Europe's most forward-looking space programmes. ECSAT is ESA's centre for telecommunications and integrated applications, where innovation and commercial space partnerships drive new services and technologies.

On behalf of ESA, we are currently looking for an E2E Space Systems Communications Engineer to join our team of experts and support the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality, in Harwell, UK. With more than 55 years of experience in the space sector, Serco helps drive innovation and exploration in a truly international environment.

Key Responsibilities
  • Support the design and development of end-to-end communication and navigation systems for space missions.
  • Define and assess system architectures, from physical to application layer.
  • Analyse communication and navigation system performance, including link and performance budgets, data flow and encryption needs.
  • Contribute to system engineering tasks across all project phases, including design, verification and validation.
  • Participate in mission studies and technical reviews.
  • Prepare technical documents and reports and support procurement activities.
  • Work on system integration and ensure consistency between space, ground, and user segments.
  • Coordinate with the Space Segment and Ground Segment teams to ensure smooth integration.
  • Define and manage system requirements, user interfaces, and service level agreements.
  • Ensure system compliance with technical and performance indicators.
  • Support the development and validation of the Lunar Communications and Navigation Services (LCNS) system.
  • Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure interoperability and service quality.
  • Support R&D activities related to future communication and navigation concepts.
  • Contribute to ESA's work on standards and specifications (ECSS, CCSDS).
Skills
  • Master's or PhD degree in Telecommunications or Electronic Engineering.
  • Minimum of 4 years of relevant experience, preferably in communication or navigation system engineering for space missions.
  • Strong knowledge of system engineering principles, including design, integration, verification, and validation.
  • Experience with system-level analysis (link budgets, performance budgets, requirements).
  • Previous work on space mission applications such as communications, navigation, exploration, or Earth observation.
  • Good understanding of R&D processes and project life cycles.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
  • Able to work effectively in a multidisciplinary environment.
  • Eligible for security clearance and export control authorisation.
  • Candidates must be UK nationals.
On Offer
  • Flexible hybrid working
  • 30 days of paid leave
  • Pension scheme and life insurance
  • Comprehensive sickness pay and health benefits
  • Training and career development opportunities
  • Social activities and an international work environment

  • Space Systems Engineer

    1 week ago

    Harwell, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom Open Cosmos Full time £42,000 - £55,000 per year

    Aim high, go beyondAt Open Cosmos, we're solving some of the world's biggest challenges from space, giving businesses, governments and researchers access to more readily available information than ever before. Ready for the challenge? Then read on and launch your engineering career in the space industry with Open Cosmos.We're building satellites and space...

  • End-to-End Space Systems Communication Engineer

    1 week ago

    Harwell, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom Telespazio Full time £60,000 - £120,000 per year

    About Telespazio UKTelespazio UK is one of Europe's leading players in the space applications and services sector, with over 45 years of experience delivering consulting, technology, and engineering services. As a subsidiary of Telespazio—a joint venture between Leonardo (67%) and Thales (33%)—we operate at the forefront of innovation in Earth...

  • Satellite Communications Systems Engineer

    1 week ago

    Harwell, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom Serco Plc Full time £60,000 - £90,000 per year

    Job Introduction Serco is a leading Space Services Provider with thousands of skilled resources that has supported over 50 space missions on behalf of more than 10 Space or Government agencies around the globe, including the ESA and NASA. Serco offers space capability across the full space lifecycle from satellite testing to Launch services, LEOP to...

  • Intern in the Space Applications Initiatives Section, Environmental Crime Mitigation

    1 week ago

    Harwell, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom European Space Agency Full time £20,000 - £40,000 per year

    Intern in the Space Applications Initiatives Section, Environmental Crime MitigationJob Requisition ID: 20005Date Posted: 1 November 2025Closing Date: 30 November :59 CET/CESTPublication: External OnlyType of Contract: InternDirectorate: Commercialisation, Industry and CompetitivenessWorkplace:Harwell, GBLocationECSAT, Harwell, United KingdomDue to the...

  • Senior System Engineer

    1 week ago

    Harwell, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom InnoForge Full time £60,000 - £120,000 per year

    Senior System EngineerWould you like to work on one of the most exciting Space projects?We are working with a leader within the ISAM sector who are looking for a Senior Systems Engineer to work on a number of new projects the company have recently won.You will responsible for leading system and mission concepts, development, testing, and production of the...

  • Intern in the Systems, Strategic Programme Lines and Technology Department, Ground Segment Section

    1 week ago

    Harwell, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom European Space Agency Full time £20,000 - £30,000 per year

    Intern in the Systems, Strategic Programme Lines and Technology Department, Ground Segment SectionJob Requisition ID: 19853Date Posted: 1 November 2025Closing Date: 30 November :59 CET/CESTPublication: External OnlyType of Contract: InternDirectorate: Connectivity and Secure CommunicationsWorkplace:Harwell, GBLocationECSAT, Harwell, United KingdomDue to the...

  • Ground Segment Systems Engineer

    1 week ago

    Harwell, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom ATG Europe Full time £40,000 - £80,000 per year

    We are looking for multiple Ground Segment Systems Engineer (New Missions Onboarding) to complete our consultants Workforce Management Service to support the European Space Agency (ESA) at their location in Harwell, United Kingdom. The purpose of this Support Service is to support the integration of a new Earth Observation Science Mission (e.g., Biomass,...

  • Electronical/Avionics Engineer

    7 days ago

    Harwell, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom Orbit Fab Full time £80,000 - £100,000 per year

    About the roleAs an Electrical / Avionics Engineer, you will support the engineering team in defining the requirements, architecture and detailed solutions for upcoming flight missions. You will be involved in efforts for the qualification of UK developed technologies as well as the definition and follow-up of spacecraft electrical and avionic systems for...

  • Atmospheric re-entry physics Engineer

    1 day ago

    Harwell, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom Serco Full time

    Job IntroductionSerco is a leading Space Services Provider with thousands of skilled resources that has supported over 50 space missions on behalf of more than 10 Space or Government agencies around the globe, including the ESA and NASA. Serco offers space capability across the full space lifecycle from satellite testing to Launch services, LEOP to...

  • Remote Sensing Engineer

    2 weeks ago

    Harwell, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom Spire Full time £80,000 - £120,000 per year

    The Remote Sensing Engineer will play a central role in advanced Earth-observing microwave remote sensing missions developed at Spire Global, providing technical leadership for the calibration, validation, and scientific exploitation of spaceborne microwave radiometers. This position spans responsibility for payload performance, RF engineering, ground...