End-to-End Space Systems Communication Engineer

About Telespazio UK
Telespazio 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 Observation, Satellite Navigation, Communications, and Space Operations.

Our teams work on pioneering projects such as the ALIGN programme, the UK's first autonomous laser-based inter-satellite communications system. At Telespazio UK, we foster a multi-disciplinary, multicultural environment where technical excellence, collaboration, and individual freedom thrive.

Background
An opportunity for an End-to-End Space Systems Communications engineer to work for Telespazio UK, on-site ESA-ECSAT (Harwell, UK) in the ESA Technical Directorate.
Responsibilities / Duties
The engineer will work on the ESA site to support the end-to-end system engineering activities for the Lunar Communications and Navigation Services (LCNS) system, including design, development, qualification, deployment, on-ground verification, and in-orbit validation.

The role will be based at ECSAT, the European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications, is located at the Harwell Oxford campus.

The successful candidate's general responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:

• assessing and defining architectures for end-to-end communications and navigation systems, and contributing to design of the associated functions and techniques within the system, from physical layer up to the application layer;
• Assessing the end-to-end (including user) communication and navigation system design and performance in real and simulated scenarios, including performance budgets and analysis, (dynamic) link budgets, data flow analysis, and capacity and volume assessment, including interaction between different link layers, and assessment of related encryption and authentication functions;
• Supporting projects throughout all phases in respect of follow-up of industrial activities relating to end-to-end communication and navigation systems on the space, ground or user segments, including system level design and trade-offs, architecture design, system development, verification and acceptance;
• Participation in the preparation of relevant standards and their impact/implementation related to bodies including ECSS and CCSDS, and performing the associated technical supporting work; application and tailoring of standards;
• Contributing to the definition of the Agency's R&D activities for long- and short-term needs, and addressing concepts and techniques related to EtE System Communications and Navigation;
• Participating in mission studies, project reviews and support to procurement proposals.

The specific duties for the specific work at ESA/ECSAT with Moonlight LCNS project are further defined as follows:

• Support the end-to-end system engineering activities for the Lunar Communications and Navigation Services (LCNS) system, including design, development, qualification, deployment, on-ground verification, and in-orbit validation.
• Support the definition and implementation of communication and navigation services in coordination with the relevant system functional chain leads.
• Support the definition and implementation of system integration, verification, and service validation plans, ensuring end-to-end performance.
• Support the definition, analysis, and management of service and system requirements, including user interfaces, service level agreements, and operational needs
• Ensure consistency between technical and performance indicators, design drivers, and system specifications.
• Support the definition/management of system-internal and -external interfaces.
• Collaborate with the Space Segment team and Ground Segment team to ensure seamless integration across all segments and to support alignment between system engineering activities.
• Perform system-level analyses, including link budgets, performance budgets, and resource allocation, to ensure the system meets its technical and operational requirements.
• Support the coordination with the internal and external stakeholders to ensure interoperability and alignment with joint concepts of operations.
• Support the interactions with end users throughout the development lifecycle to capture requirements, validate system capabilities, and ensure alignment with operational needs.
• Support the study, development and elaboration of use-cases and innovative operational scenarios of the Moonlight communications and navigation services, in close cooperation with the exploration user community within the Agency and externally with Partner agencies and commercial users.
• Support R&D activities complementary to the Moonlight programme, including the exploration of new technologies and methodologies to enhance system performance
• Skills, Qualifications & Knowledge Required (Maximum 2520 characters)

Qualifications / Experience

• Masters degree/ PhD in Telecommunications or Electronic engineering
• In addition to the required 4 years relevant work experience, the applicant
• should have some years of work experience in the field of Communication and/or Navigation system engineering applied to space
• Solid experience and expertise with system engineering gained from one space application such as communications, navigation, earth observation, or exploration.

Essential Skills
Specific Knowledge Is Required In The Following Areas

• Experience of systems design, development and testing
• Strong understanding of space system engineering principles, including design, integration, verification, and validation
• Experience in defining, analysing, and managing users and system Requirements
• Ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional and cross-directorate teams
• Strong problem-solving, risk management, and reporting skills
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken
• High standard of document drafting
• Ability to work effectively both within a small team and in an autonomous way.

Intrinsic Factors. Please Note: this description will be used for the advert and will appear to potential applicants. This list of intrinsic factors to be selected are as follows:
Qualities

• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Pro-active attitude to problem solving and customer focus
• Comfortable in an international working environment
• Fluent in written and spoken English
• Should be willing to travel to ESA establishments and/or other European locations

Candidates must be eligible for security clearance from their national security administration and be eligible for relevant export control authorisation.
What We Offer

• Work-life Balance: Flexible and hybrid working options
• Annual Leave: Generous allowance with buy/sell flexibility
• Pension: Award-winning scheme with up to 15% employer contribution
• Healthcare: Company-funded private healthcare via BUPA
• Development: Personal development and training opportunities
• Flexible Benefits: Customizable lifestyle, health, and wellbeing options
• Discounts: Everyday savings with retailers, restaurants, and leisure activities
• Support: Confidential Employee Assistance Programme

At Telespazio UK, the well-being, safety, and development of our people are at the heart of our corporate culture. We actively foster an inclusive, diverse, and stimulating work environment, promoting the principles of equity and the value of diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or age.

In line with Asylum & Immigration legislation, all applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK or EU (as applicable). Documented evidence of eligibility will be required during the recruitment process. Due to the nature of our work, all potential employees will undergo stringent reference and identity checks.