Space Systems Engineer

Space Forge is a fast-growing in-space manufacturing company based in Cardiff, UK. We are developing the world’s first returnable and re-launchable satellite platform, the ForgeStar. Space Forge is transforming return from space to enable new techniques to produce products and services for the benefit of all.

The ForgeStar can support a wide array of missions, from in-space manufacturing of new materials and microgravity research, to planetary landing systems and deep space exploration.

We are now looking for a talented Systems Engineer to join our Systems Function which we need in place for our service, both on ground and in orbit, to achieve our goal of transforming return from space for the benefit of humanity.

The primary roles for this job are:

• Systems engineering of our space missions and payloads, including requirements definitions, researching technology, building software models and designing configurations.

• Assisting with our testing campaign to verify our technologies

• Writing and verifying requirements for our satellite and ground hardware

• Building engineering models using python, as needed, in order to verify assumptions and derive key parameters

• Research, trade-off and selection of technologies and components

• Trade-off, design and verification of system configurations

• Creation and review of design documentation

• Creation and execution of test plans, assisting us with test days and during space missions.

• Helping us to define our company level systems engineering approach.

A typical day:

• Research and talking to suppliers of key components

• Carrying out trade-offs of options to make optimal decisions

• Helping plan tests and then helping to run them

• Working with both ground and space hardware & software to build a complete mission

• Creating engineering models to provide answers to difficult problems.

• Working remotely, in the office and out in the field to verify results

• Working with requirements and documentation to ensure our designs are consistent and validated.

• Learning new skills and about new areas in space engineering.

• Working closely with the engineering team and CTO to solve problems and refine baselines

The Space Forge team is deliberately made from individuals who are adaptable and willing to learn new skills quickly. Therefore we are looking for engineers who are willing and able to adapt to the requirements asked of them whilst maintaining a good level of technical quality. Additionally as a start-up, team members are sometimes asked to assist with duties beyond their nominal job description and we are looking for candidates who are happy to step up and try something new when needed.

Technical skills:

• Systems engineering experience related to requirements management, integration and test, and deployment of hardware refreshes
• Cradle to grave requirements capture
• Concurrent engineering design
• Working knowledge of ECSS skills
• Python 3 and its mathematical & engineering libraries
• Basic knowledge of most key engineering sectors, including mechanical, electrical and software. Ideally deep experience with one of these.
• Experience of leading and motivating a team
• Ideally experience with CubeSat or larger class missions
• Experience with practical testing to verify assumptions
• Bachelor or Master’s degree in systems engineering or another relevant discipline

Human skills:

• Able to communicate with teams working both in and out of the office;
• Able to communicate professionally with customers, suppliers and external stakeholders;
• Resilient and adaptable to technical and non-technical roadblocks, as many are expected
• Ability to operate successfully in a muti-contractor environment and manage multiple stakeholders with conflicting inputs in a demanding and rapidly changing environment
• Self-motivated, capable of delivering results with limited supervision

Note that we don’t expect applicants to have all of these skills, but a mixture of some. We are looking for people who are willing to work hard, think logically, have high energy levels, respect others’ abilities and ultimately have an unending appetite to learn a large number of new skills quickly. Space Forge is committed to making super-powered teams of diverse individuals in all senses of the term, therefore women are strongly encouraged to apply and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

Salary expectation: £32,500 - £45,000 dependant upon experience

Beyond the salary, Space Forge has been set up to ensure that staff have everything they need to enjoy their work, as the executive team are strong believers in motivation and flexibility driving productivity. Therefore the current additional benefits are available to team members:

At Space Forge, we believe in creating the best possible workplace that suits every single person that joins us.

• Flexible working environment, work from where you like in the UK unless you need to be in the office, our remote work equipment is high spec too

• 25 days plus all UK bank holidays

• Pension scheme at 4% matched

• Charity or cause you’re passionate about? Up to 5 volunteering days a year to support the things closest to you and make an impact

• Super cool brand-new office and factory - the coffee is on us (and it’s certified carbon neutral too, our snazzy machine does anything from the humble americano to a superb flat white)

• Pizza pay day - okay, it’s not always pizza, but if you’re at the office on pay day, lunch is on us

• You’re the master of your own destiny. We offer every person at Space Forge a £1500 annual learning budget so you can choose the training or experiences to help you grow

• Annual subscription to Udemy with access to over 5000 courses

• Your mental health is important! You’ll have access to Spill - an all-in-one mental health support platform offering completely anonymous therapy sessions to our whole team

• Working with a passionate, friendly and highly motivated team

• Maternity / Paternity benefits beyond statutory

We are committed to building an inclusive workplace and that starts with hiring diversely. However you identify, and whatever background you bring with you, we welcome you to apply for a role at Space Forge.

We also believe our interview process should be inclusive and transparent and we take it very seriously. We want to give you time to learn about us while we get to know you. As always, if there is anything missing, or you've identified a way we can improve, just let us know!

For this role, we have a 2-stage interview process:

• 45-minute Culture and Values video call interview with 2 members of our team
• 60-minute Technical video call interview related to specific needs of the role with 2 members of the team you'll be most closely working with

CLOSING DATE: This application will close on Friday 25th February 2023 but we are accepting applications on a rolling basis.