An innovative space technology organisation is looking for an experienced Senior Payload Systems Engineer – Robotics to join its growing engineering team.

This is an exciting opportunity to work on highly complex robotic systems for next-generation spacecraft, taking technical ownership across design, development, testing, integration and operations.

The Role

As a senior member of the payload engineering team, you will provide technical expertise across robotic capture systems, working closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams and external suppliers.

You will:

- Define and review robotics system requirements and verification strategies.
- Lead technical discussions with robotics suppliers and assess solutions against mission requirements.
- Collaborate with mechanical, thermal, electrical, software and systems engineering teams.
- Support robotics hardware through spacecraft design, integration, testing and launch campaigns.
- Work with AIV teams to ensure designs are suitable for manufacture, assembly, integration and test.
- Produce and maintain technical documentation, specifications, ICDs, procedures and design reports.
- Provide technical input to key project reviews including PDR and CDR.
- Support procurement, supplier engagement and manufacturing activities.
- Mentor engineers and provide technical leadership across robotics activities.

About You

We're looking for an experienced robotics engineer with a strong background in complex, safety-critical systems.

Essential experience:

- Degree or equivalent qualification in Robotics, Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or a related discipline.
- 5+ years' robotics engineering experience.
- Experience taking complex robotic/mechanism designs through concept, analysis, design, testing and operations.
- Commercial experience in robotics analysis, design, procurement and testing.
- Strong understanding of robotics kinematics, dynamics, sensors and actuators.
- Experience with robotics analysis/design tools such as ROS/ROS2.
- Understanding of robotics design trade-offs and operation within challenging environments.
- Experience managing requirements throughout the full project lifecycle.
- Good understanding of spacecraft or similarly complex engineering development programmes and lifecycle reviews.
- Experience developing innovative hardware or mechanical solutions to complex problems.

Desirable Experience

- Robotics experience within the space sector.
- Knowledge of robotic manipulation and capture technologies.
- Experience with magnetic systems or magnetic properties in capture mechanisms.
- SolidWorks or other CAD packages such as CATIA, NX or Creo.
- PDM experience.
- Multi-body dynamics modelling tools such as HyperWorks.
- Kinematic and robotics modelling/simulation.
- Python or VBA for engineering data processing and automation.

What’s on Offer

- Hybrid working and flexible core hours.
- Optional compressed working pattern.
- 25 days' holiday, increasing to 28 with service, plus Bank Holidays.
- Private healthcare, life insurance and long-term sick pay.
- Relocation support may be available.
- Modern engineering and cleanroom facilities.
- Regular social and team events.
- Opportunity to work on highly innovative robotic and spacecraft technologies.

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