Job Description
Senior / Lead Electronics Engineer
VLEO Space Mission Electronics Development
6-Month Contract
Location: Reading
Working Pattern: 4 days onsite per week
About the Role
We are seeking a Senior / Lead Electronics Engineer to support the development of electronics for an exciting Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) space mission.
This contract opportunity offers the chance to take technical ownership of electronics development across the full product lifecycle from initial concept and system architecture through to design, validation, qualification, and flight readiness.
Working within a multidisciplinary engineering environment, you will collaborate closely with systems, mechanical, propulsion, software, and AIT teams to deliver robust, space-qualified hardware for upcoming satellite missions.
The role would suit an experienced engineer with a strong background in high-reliability electronics and previous exposure to aerospace, defence, or space applications. Prior technical leadership or mentoring experience would be highly beneficial.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead the end-to-end development of space-qualified electronics from requirements definition through to flight hardware delivery
* Design, prototype, and review analog, digital, and mixed-signal electronic systems and PCB layouts
* Own schematic capture, component selection, PCB design, and design-for-manufacture/test activities
* Define and execute validation, verification, and qualification test plans including:
* Functional testing
* Environmental testing
* Reliability testing
* Ensure compliance with space-grade requirements including:
* Radiation tolerance
* EMI/EMC
* Thermal constraints
* Reliability and derating standards
* Support integration of electronics into spacecraft subsystems alongside systems, software, mechanical, propulsion, and AIT teams
* Lead technical reviews and provide mentoring and guidance to junior engineers
* Contribute to technical standards, development processes, and architectural decisions across the electronics function
Required Skills & Experience
Education
* Degree in Electronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline
Experience
* Minimum 5 years’ experience developing electronics for high-reliability or demanding environments
* Proven background within:
* Space
* Aerospace
* Defence
* Other mission-critical electronics sectors
* Strong analog and digital electronics design capability
* Experience with:
* Schematic capture
* PCB layout
* Board bring-up and debugging
* Experience delivering hardware through the full lifecycle from concept to qualification
* Understanding of space-related constraints including:
* Radiation effects
* EMI/EMC
* Thermal performance
* Reliability engineering
* Experience with EMI/EMC design and compliance testing
* Knowledge of reliability methodologies including:
* Derating
* Worst-case analysis
* FMECA
* Experience interfacing with:
* Sensors
* Actuators
* RF systems
* Avionics subsystems
Desirable Experience
The following experience would be advantageous but is not essential:
* Previous technical leadership or team leadership experience
* Mentoring or coaching junior engineers
* Electronics development for:
* Satellites
* Spacecraft
* Space payloads
* Radiation-tolerant design techniques and component selection
* Environmental qualification testing including:
* Thermal vacuum (TVAC)
* Vibration
* Shock testing