Senior Payload (Robotics) Systems Engineer

Astroscale UK & Europe are seeking an experienced and motivated robotics system engineer with a strong background in space, aerospace or other technical industries, to work at our state-of-the-art facility based in Harwell, UK.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our friendly, welcoming and skilled team within our dynamic and rapidly growing company. As a senior member of the payload team, you will take the lead on certain aspects of project work and mentor others.

You will provide subject matter expertise to the payload team, helping to define and drive the design, development, testing and operations of the unique capture systems for our missions against demanding timescales, whilst collaborating across all functions within the engineering teams, and with suppliers across the world.

In this role you will be making a positive contribution to the growing problem of orbital debris that endangers mankind’s use of space as an asset.

• Generation and review of robotics system requirements and verification strategies (at spacecraft, subsystem, and unit levels) for on-orbit servicing missions.
• Review inputs from and lead co-engineering sessions with robotics suppliers to assess suitability for specific missions and ensure system compatibility
• Collaborate with subject matter experts in other engineering departments (mechanical, thermal, software, electrical etc.) to solve complex problems.
• Work with AIV team to ensure that robotics designs consider ease of manufacture, assembly, integration, and test.
• Define and perform hardware-related activities throughout spacecraft design and development, AIV phases, and Launch campaigns.
• Generate and maintain systems documentation including specifications, ICDs, procedures, reports, tech notes, design descriptions etc.
• Generate inputs to project lifecycle reviews (PDR, CDR, etc).
• Support Procurement with manufacturing supply chain and supplier engagement.
• Assist company-wide projects and activities as a member of the global Astroscale team.

• Diploma;
  Bachelor or Master’s degree in robotics, systems engineering, aerospace engineering, or another relevant discipline.

• 5+ years experience in Robotics

• Demonstrable experience of leading on complex, safety-critical mechanism design lifecycle at all stages from initial concept to design, analysis, test, and operations.

• Commercial experience in leading robotics analysis, design / procurement and test; ideally for spacecraft.

• An in-depth knowledge of robotics design, including robot kinematics, dynamics and implications in designing for the space environment.

• Familiarity with robotics analysis and design software such as ROS/ROS2

• An in-depth understanding of the trade-offs in the design, selection, and application of robotics.

• An in-depth understanding of the trade-offs in the design, selection, and application of robotics.

• Good knowledge of robotics sensors and actuators as well as suppliers operating in the space industry

• Good understanding of spacecraft mission lifecycle and milestones (e.g., MDR, PDR, CDR, etc).
• Good understanding of system engineering & managing requirements through the full project lifecycle.
• Experience designing innovative hardware and/or efficient mechanical solutions to complex problems to challenging schedules.

• Experience and appreciation of robotics design challenges in the space sector.

• Knowledge of existing manipulator technologies for on-orbit servicing.

• Knowledge and use of magnetism & magnetic properties in capture mechanisms.

• Experience using Solid Works, (other CAD software packages such as CATIA, NX, CREO etc. will also be considered), and PDM.

• Familiarity with Multi-Body Dynamics modelling such as Hyperworks.

• Experience in modelling and simulation of kinematic systems and robotics.

• Able to process data through automation (VBA or Python).

• Good all-round knowledge in the following areas: debris removal, end-of-life, in-orbit servicing.

• Proactively seek the needs to create specific objectives and be accountable on time and deliverables.

• Be ready for changes; seek clarifications; apply sound engineering judgement if well-established information is lacking.

• Competit…