Ground Segment Systems Team Lead

An innovative organisation operating at the forefront of the space sector is seeking a Ground Segment Systems Team Lead to provide technical leadership across the development, integration and operation of critical ground segment systems.

This is a senior position offering significant autonomy, combining technical leadership, systems engineering and people management. You will work across the full ground segment lifecycle, from conceptual design and requirements through to integration, testing, deployment and operational support.

You will act as a key technical interface between systems engineering, ground segment software and mission operations teams, ensuring ground systems are robust, integrated and capable of supporting complex space missions.

The Role

Key responsibilities will include:

• Owning ground segment system architecture, requirements and technical baselines across multiple subsystems.
• Leading requirements capture, derivation, allocation, traceability and compliance.
• Defining and leading integration, verification and validation activities, including end-to-end testing.
• Ensuring consistency across interfaces, data flows, configuration and software releases.
• Providing technical leadership through design reviews, technical governance and subsystem acceptance.
• Supporting the development of ground systems and software, including mission control, mission planning and ground station interfaces.
• Defining engineering and development approaches and supporting solution testing and delivery.
• Acting as the technical interface with suppliers and key internal stakeholders.
• Supporting mission operations through troubleshooting, maintenance, training and resolution of technical issues.
• Producing technical documentation and supporting planning, risk management and technical reporting.

Team Leadership

You will lead a small team of approximately 4-6 ground systems engineers, with responsibility for:

• Technical task planning, prioritisation and allocation.
• Reviewing and overseeing the team’s technical output.
• Mentoring and developing engineers.
• Identifying skills and resource requirements.
• Supporting recruitment, interviews and onboarding.
• Conducting appraisals and probation reviews.
• Supporting technical engineering activities where required.

You should have:

• A degree in Computer Science, Telecommunications, Engineering or a related discipline.
• 5+ years’ industry experience in the design and development of satellite ground segment or user terminal systems.
• Experience with C/C++, Java and/or Python.
• A strong understanding of ground segment architectures and how different components interact.
• Experience leading or managing a small technical engineering team.
• Experience working alongside spacecraft or mission operations teams.
• Understanding of project lifecycles and system acceptance processes.
• Knowledge of ECSS standards.
• Proven software development experience across requirements, design, development, integration, testing, deployment and maintenance.

Desirable Experience

• 2+ years’ experience managing systems engineers.
• 8+ years’ experience within satellite ground systems or user terminal technologies.
• Experience working within Scrum/Agile development environments.
• Experience with Mission Control Systems, particularly SCOS-2000.
• Knowledge of spacecraft communications protocols and standards such as CCSDS, CAN or SpaceWire.
• Experience working across the full mission lifecycle.

• Hybrid working and flexible hours.
• Optional compressed working pattern.
• 25 days’ holiday, increasing to 28 days with service, plus bank holidays.
• Private healthcare.
• Life insurance and long-term sick pay.
• Visa sponsorship considered.
• Relocation assistance.
• Modern engineering and technical facilities.
• Professional development and career progression opportunities.
• Regular team and social events.