Space Instrument Engineer

Space Instrument Engineer

Advert Reference Number: 1236

Job Location: Milton Keynes

Department: School of Physical Sciences

Salary: £38,784 to £46,049

Closing Date: 21 December 2025

Weekly Working Hours: 37

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract

Fixed Term Contract: End Date: 30 June 2027

Welsh Language: Not Applicable

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About the Role

We are seeking a highly motivated and technically skilled Spaceflight Instrument Engineer to support the design, construction, and testing of laboratory support equipment and flight instrument models for the EMS-LUPEX and MAGPIE ITMS instruments. These instruments are key contributions to the upcoming ESA/JAXA LUPEX and MAGPIE lunar mission. This role will be central to developing a series of engineering models of increasing complexity and fidelity that will ultimately culminate in the Flight Model (FM) instruments that will launched to the Moon in 2028 and 2029. The work includes building and validating Development Models (DMs), performing instrument calibration, and supporting scientific performance evaluations in collaboration with international partners.

The main purposes of this role are:

• Design and execute comprehensive test programmes for Development models of the EMS LUPEX instrument, documenting results and validating scientific and technical performance
• Calibrate the Development Models against existing instrumentation such as FINESSE, TGA, and other relevant heritage instruments, ensuring consistency and performance calibrate the Development Models against existing instrumentation such as FINESSE, TGA, etc.
• Perform final calibration of the Flight Model against existing reference instruments to validate performance prior to delivery.
• Develop DH measurement procedures and protocols

Key Responsibilities

• Design, perform and document a comprehensive test programme the EMS-LUPEX Development models to demonstrate and verify instrument performance
• Design and build laboratory support equipment to enable development, testing, and calibration of instrument models.
• Calibrate the Development Models using existing reference instrumentation (e.g., FINESSE, TGA) and document performance against established benchmarks.
• Assemble, calibrate, and characterize the EMS-LUPEX flight instrument, ensuring its performance is validated against the Development Models.
• Ensure that existing OU experience in sample analysis, and new knowledge gained through the EMS-LUPEX Development Model test programme, are translated into the design of the EMS-LUPEX flight model so as to maximize its performance, relevance and impact.

About You

Essential:

• First degree in natural sciences, engineering or a closely related discipline
• Proven ability to design, perform and document test programmes, including demonstration and verification of instrument performance
• Demonstrated experience in developing vacuum-based control systems and instrumentation
• Evidence of successful calibration of scientific instrumentation
• Working knowledge of ESA development and project processes
• Strong organisational skills, with a commitment to planning, prioritising, and delivering work to deadlines
• Proficiency in Python programming, particularly for instrument control data analysis

Desirable:

• PhD in a field related to Space flight instrumentation
• MSc in space flight engineering
• MSc or PHD with a focus on instrument development
• Experience in the design and development of spaceflight instruments
• Experience in operating laboratory mass spectrometer instruments
• Experience working in cleanroom environments and following relevant protocols

Support with your application

If you have any questions, or need support or adjustments relating to your application, the recruitment process, or the role, please contact us on or email quoting the advert reference number.

What's in it for you?

At The Open University, we offer a range of benefits to recognise and reward great work, alongside policies and flexible working that contribute towards a great work life balance. Get all the details of what benefits we offer by visiting our Staff Benefits page (clicking this link will open a new window).

Flexible working

We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it's a job share, part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you.

Working location

This role is based at our campus in Milton Keynes and expect the successful individual to work from Milton Keynes 5 days per week.

Next steps in the Recruitment process

If shortlisted, you will hear from us in early January with interviews taking place in Milton Keynes on 15th and/or 16th January 2026.

Early closing date notification

We may close this job advert earlier than the published closing date where a satisfactory number of applications are received. We would therefore encourage early applications.

How to apply

To apply for this role please submit the following document(s):

• CV
• Supporting statement (Your Supporting Statement should outline how your skills and experience meets the essential and desirable criteria listed above).

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