Systems Engineer - Time and synchronisation

We lead missions to outer planets, observe the Earth from space, bring technology to Mars, integrate aerospace technology into people's daily lives.

Responsible for design, development, and testing of time and frequency synchronisation systems, including atomic clocks, GNSS, and time transfer over Ethernet, wireless, optical, and satellite links. Works with hardware and software components and explores quantum technologies and machine learning applications in timing.

Requires UK national with security clearance (SC or above) or the ability to obtain it. Only UK nationals with clearance (or ability) are eligible.

• Design and support time distribution systems and time transfer methods (White Rabbit, TWSTFT, GNSS, NTP, PTP).
• Develop and maintain timescales for high‑precision applications.
• Support field deployments, system commissioning, and troubleshooting of timing hardware and software.
• Produce detailed technical documentation, including requirement specifications, design justifications, test reports.

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Telecommunications, or a related field.
• Solid understanding of time synchronisation principles, time transfer protocols, and timing architectures.
• Experience with frequency standards, time interval measurement, and synchronisation systems.
• Familiarity with time and frequency stability metrics, such as Allan Deviation and phase noise.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work both independently and within a multidisciplinary team.

• Experience with White Rabbit, PTP (IEEE 1588), or NTP‑based systems.
• Good knowledge of Linux, networks, Python, Docker, Git Lab.
• Knowledge of PCB design and VHDL.
• Knowledge of signal processing and SDR.
• Exposure to scientific or telecom infrastructure projects.

Travel up to several weeks to customer premises for meetings and laboratory activities. Hybrid working model with 8 weeks per year of teleworking outside usual geographical area.

• Hybrid working model and 8 weeks per year of teleworking outside your usual geographical area.
• Personalized career plan development, training and language learning support.
• Competitive compensation with ongoing reviews, flexible compensation and discount on brands.
• Wellbeing program: health, dental and life insurance; free fruit and coffee; physical and mental health support.

We promote equal opportunities in recruitment, and we are committed to inclusion and diversity.