Space Systems Engineering Group Manager

Astroscale UK is looking for an experienced and motivated Space Systems Engineering Group Manager to lead our diverse, passionate, and talented team on all system engineering activities for Astroscale in the UK.
This role will have overarching management responsibility for the spacecraft systems team; ensuring everyone works together to deliver appropriate solutions, to schedule and cost, across all projects.
We’ve got exciting new work coming in and as a result we need an experienced leader to take responsibility for delivering on all aspects of system engineering for ASUK.
Using your team first mindset and excellent organisational skills to maintain the department plan, as well as using your high level knowledge of spacecraft systems engineering, you will ensure high quality output from the team which is aligned to project and mission deadlines.
We are a fast-growing company where you can expand on your experience and develop your skills further to enable your team to deliver amazing results and make a difference every day by driving forward our missions and helping to make space safer and more sustainable for future generations.
Responsibilities
Providing leadership to the systems engineering group
Technical mentoring of the systems engineering group.
Line management of Team Leads, including regular 1-2-1 meetings, helping to resolve blockers to workloads, supporting prioritisation of the workload, conducting appraisals and probation reviews as necessary.
Overall responsibility for the systems engineering group technical output
Creating a plan to address resource shortfalls within the team, including hiring on a permanent and temporary basis, outsourcing etc
Communicating the group’s capacity and irreconcilable resource constraints to the Resource Manager
Reviewing scoping and costing for new project work packages
Reviewing and communicating work package, and other plans, within the group and to Project Managers, including any technical or schedule risks.
Working with the relevant Technical Architect, and/or Engineering Director, to;
Ensure the quality of standards and procedures within the Systems Group,
Define, map and propose relevant processes and procedures
Provide input and guidance to the technology roadmap for Systems
Essential Skills
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in relevant engineering or scientific discipline
Excellent knowledge of known systems engineering standards (e.g. INCOSE) and space industry standards (e.g. ECSS).
The ability to appropriately tailor and adapt standard engineering practises to a lean and fast-paced engineering development environment.
Working technical knowledge of various space- and ground- segment subsystems and specialist functions, particularly orbital mechanics and AOCS/GNC.
Able to effectively lead the management of technical risks.
10+ years’ experience of systems engineering within the commercial space industry.
Knowledge of the engineering product lifecycle including leading and planning for project review gates e.g. SRR, PDR, CDR, etc.
5+ years’ recent experience in a line management role.
Excellent interpersonal, and communication skills.
Excellent documentation / written communication skills.
Excellent organisational skills, demonstrable ability to construct plans which are realistic and deliver against them in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Ability to be flexible regarding plans, and work with project managers to adjust plans in line with project or personnel changes.
Experienced and enthusiastic people manager, with a focus on leading and building strong teams, able to put the team and plan interests first.
Demonstrates behaviours in line with Astroscale values (Mission and People focused, Transparent, Innovative and Pioneering, Diverse, and Customer Focused).
Desirable skills
Experience working in start-up, or SME, environment, preferably in the commercial “New Space” sector.
15+ years’ experience of systems engineering within the commercial space industry.
Excellent knowledge of AOCS/GNC subsystems both design and verification activities (e.g. hardware-in-the-loop).
Excellent knowledge of Robotics.
Good technical knowledge and understanding of spacecraft Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO).
Strong mathematical reasoning skills.
Working knowledge/experience of the software engineering lifecycle.
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
9 day fortnight 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), including dental and vision cover
Relocation allowance
Visa sponsorship for employees considered
New state of the art office and cleanroom facility
Regular social events
Location
Astroscale UK (Harwell), with potential for some travel to Astroscale Japan (Tokyo)
About Astroscale
We aim to deliver cutting edge technologies that will become part of routine commercial space operations by 2030.
Astroscale is the first private company with a vision to secure the safe and sustainable development of space for the benefit of future generations, and the only company dedicated to in-orbit servicing across all orbits. Founded in 2013, we are developing innovative and scalable solutions across the spectrum of in-orbit servicing missions, including End of Life services, Active Debris Removal, In-situ Space Situational Awareness and Life Extension Services, to create sustainable space systems and mitigate against the hazardous build-up of debris in space.
Astroscale is an Equal Opportunities employer and embraces a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants, including minorities, women and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
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.
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