Mission Manager, In-Space Manufacturing (ISM): Permanent
Reporting to: Mission Lead
Base: Harwell
The Challenge:
The Satellite Applications Catapult (Catapult) is at the forefront of the burgeoning UK Space Industry and focused on driving the sector's commercial growth. Our work is organised around three missions – Beyond Earth, Autonomous and Connected Earth, and Resilient Earth – that concentrate our activities on the areas where we can deliver greatest impact. We help businesses realise their potential, those developing and providing space infrastructure, and those developing applications that rely on it.
The Catapult has a dual role, operating as a neutral convener bringing projects, programmes and commercial opportunities to companies in the space sector and showcasing space companies and capabilities to the attention of funders and commercial partners. We also use our expertise to deliver programmes where we see a clear role for us to play.
Reporting into our Beyond Earth Mission Lead, you will manage a portfolio of activities that collectively deliver on a key objective of the mission (an intervention). Specifically, you will be responsible for the In-Space Manufacturing and R&D intervention which seeks to advance microgravity R&D and manufacturing of advanced materials and biopharma applications. You will support the growth of UK companies seeking to develop in-space infrastructure to support microgravity manufacturing and R&D as well as those seeking to deliver end products produced in the microgravity environment. In addition, you will assess commercially viable use cases for microgravity manufacturing and R&D and encourage growth and adoption of these use cases.
The role requires a strong understanding of microgravity research and/or in-space manufacturing (ISM), knowledge of applications such as advanced materials R&D (e.g. composites, semiconductors, alloys) or biopharma R&D (e.g. protein crystallisation, organoids, stem cells), an understanding of how microgravity impacts materials science or biological systems, and familiarity with orbital platforms (LEO infrastructure, commercial stations, return logistics).
You will be accountable for Intervention performance (impact, delivery and commercial outcomes), working through Business Development and delivery teams. This is a highly networked role that requires an ability to work under pressure, to challenging deadlines in an organised and collaborative way.
This role requires onsite presence in our Harwell offices at least 2 days per week and regular travel to our Westcott facility in Buckinghamshire.
As the Mission Manager you will:
Lead an Intervention portfolio – You will own the direction, delivery plan and performance of the In-Space Manufacturing and R&D Intervention within the Beyond Earth Mission, ensuring activities are prioritised and aligned to mission objectives and organisational strategy.
Drive commercial outcomes through others – You will be accountable for ensuring industry opportunities progress into funded programmes and contracted delivery, working through Business Development and delivery teams. You will maintain focus on conversion, pace and value created for industry.
Mobilise cross-functional delivery – You will bring together the right expertise from across the Catapult (technical, commercial, programme delivery, business growth, Partnerships, Policy and Place, and operations) to execute the Intervention plan at pace, ensuring the organisation delivers as one team.
Hold stakeholders to account – You will lead through influence, setting clear expectations, success measures and timelines across the matrix team. You will ensure progress is transparent, intervene early when delivery is at risk, and act as an escalation point to remove blockers and resolve issues.
Design, adapt and improve – You will continuously assess whether activities remain the best route to mission outcomes, anticipate risks and constraints, and adapt plans as required. You will capture learning and embed improvements to increase effectiveness, repeatability and impact.
Own portfolio control (budget + trade-offs) – You will own portfolio control for the Intervention, including budget oversight, forecasting, and prioritisation against expected impact. In partnership with the Delivery Lead, you will ensure delivery remains within agreed financial limits, with clear governance, cost visibility, and timely trade-offs to protect outcomes and sustainability.
Build the ecosystem and enable adoption – You will develop and maintain strong relationships across industry, government and research partners, ensuring the Catapult is positioned as a credible delivery partner and that the Intervention supports real-world adoption, not just engagement.
Report and evidence impact – You will provide clear reporting against the Grant Work Programme and wider Catapult workplan, evidencing progress, outcomes and lessons learned, and demonstrating contribution to mission KPIs and organisational priorities.
Skills & Experience required:
Strong understanding of microgravity research and applications and/or in-space manufacturing (ISM)
Knowledge of in-space manufacturing and R&D applications such as advanced materials R&D (e.g. composites, semiconductors, alloys) or biopharma R&D (e.g. protein crystallisation, organoids, stem cells)
Understanding of how microgravity impacts materials science and biological systems
Knowledge of translational pathways in biotech or advanced manufacturing
Familiarity with orbital platforms (LEO infrastructure, commercial stations, return logistics).
Extensive experience of strategic planning and workstream delivery
Strong stakeholder management and demonstrable success of delivering through others
Commercial and analytical mindset, with the ability to support the development of key commercial opportunities that deliver on the Catapult's purpose and your mission
Strong technical breadth in related technologies and/or adjacent end-user sectors in microgravity manufacturing of advanced materials and biopharma applications with the ability to build rapid credibility in technologies and stakeholders.
Experience in creating high performing, cross-departmental, multi-disciplinary teams without 'authority' but with involvement
Building effective partnerships, with the ability to engage and inspire, in your own style, both internal and external stakeholders
Experience or ability to push conventional boundaries to create greater impact
Expert influencer with ability to rapidly change and adapt as needed
Aspirational thinker but pragmatic when needed
About us & how we work:
We strive to create a high trust, high performance and inclusive environment that enables team members to bring their whole selves to work. This helps to create the foundations of an innovation culture. Our shared values are critical to this:
We care - for our people, our partners, and our planet
We connect - and engage with people and ideas
We learn - and grow, as people and as an industry
Underpinning this is our belief in great teams. Our combined efforts will always deliver outcomes beyond that of any individual, providing we are honest through debate, experiment and reflect, and create shared resolutions in support of our purpose. Live these values, work to our principles, take ownership to deliver, and we are certain you will thrive with us.
This job description set outs the skills and experience we think are needed to be able to perform in this job. If you believe you can deliver in this role then we want to hear from you.
We offer a hybrid policy which is designed around collaboration, one 'anchor' day per week working with your direct team and another flexible day per week to be spent collaborating or working with other colleagues.
Important notice for applicants: We use tools to detect plagiarism and the use of AI or chatbots for applicant answers. If plagiarism, AI use (such as ChatGPT) or similar software are found to have been used in your application you will not be considered for this or future roles within the Satellite Applications Catapult.
At Satellite Applications Catapult, we're committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce. We welcome candidates from all corners of the globe, but due to legal and logistical considerations, we want to be transparent about the potential visa-related challenges that could arise. Our ability to offer sponsorship will depend on the level of interest for our roles and salary level.
If you need any additional support during the application process, please do reach out and connect. We also invite you to share feedback via Applied.
Please note that we offer study support (at our discretion) and on the job training will be provided.