Systems Engineer - Harwell

Working for Open Cosmos

Aim high, go beyond!

At Open Cosmos we are solving the world’s biggest challenges from space, providing businesses, governments and researchers access to more readily available information than ever before - ready for the challenge? Then read on…

The CTO division is where Open Cosmos technology comes to life. Covering engineering, product development, and technical innovation, the team designs, builds, and operates the satellites, systems, and platforms that make our missions possible. It’s a highly collaborative environment where ideas become real hardware, software, and data solutions that deliver impact from space.

Our Systems Team brings together brilliant Systems, AOCS and Thermal Engineers who turn ambitious mission concepts into reality. They design, integrate, and optimise every detail – from spacecraft architecture to next-generation optical payloads – making sure every system fits, works, and thrives in orbit. From first sketch to launch day, they own the journey, ensuring our satellites deliver maximum impact back on Earth

• Mission Leadership:
  Serve as the technical lead for full mission delivery, coordinating across multiple engineering domains.
• Systems Design & Analysis:
  Own the architecture, perform critical system-level analysis and trade-offs, and guide the design through all phases.
• Requirements & Verification:
  Define and manage system requirements, verification plans, and traceability to ensure mission readiness.
• Risk & Resilience:
  Conduct FMECA and design FDIR to ensure mission robustness and fault tolerance.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
  
  Support bids, sales, mission ops, and customer teams with technical expertise and documentation.
• Subsystem Integration:
  Ensure harmony across spacecraft subsystems — power, comms, AOCS, propulsion, thermal, mechanical, and more.
• Customer & Supplier Engagement:
  Manage technical expectations, communications, and documentation with external partners.

• Proven experience across the full lifecycle of a space mission — from concept and design to launch and disposal.
• Strong grounding in satellite systems engineering, with a solid understanding of all key subsystems.
• Knowledge of mission analysis, system budgeting, FMECA, FDIR, and CONOPs definition.
• Hands‑on experience with Assembly, Integration and Testing, ensuring systems perform as designed in operational environments.
• Confident communicator — able to explain complex systems clearly to customers, partners, and team members alike.
• A flexible, agile mindset — comfortable with rapid change, iterative development, and continuous learning.

To apply, you must have the legal right to work in your chosen location.

• Work at the cutting edge of space technology with customers around the globe.
• A mission-driven company making space accessible to help solve real-world challenges.
• A diverse, ambitious, and supportive team.