Nano-Satellite Engineer
The successful candidate will be responsible for designing, delivering, and continuously enhancing technical training programmes aimed at developing talent in new space countries, where space engineering capabilities are still maturing. The engineer will work closely with academic institutions, government agencies, international partners, and industry stakeholders to build a sustainable pipeline of satellite engineering talent, promote technology adoption, and elevate national-level participation in the global space sector.
This is a role for a systems thinker, educator, and hands-on engineer who is committed to developing the next generation of space professionals while contributing directly to the technical progress of our satellite programmes.
Key Responsibilities
1. Development and Delivery of Training & Capability-Building Programmes
- Design and execute comprehensive, multi-tier training roadmaps that support national new space talent development, covering:
- Fundamentals of space systems engineering
- Nano-satellite architecture, modelling, and design
- Subsystem engineering (EPS, COMMS, OBC, ADCS, payload, structures, TT&C)
- System integration, verification, and flight-readiness processes
- Environmental testing and qualification procedures
- Launch preparation, deployment protocols, and early-orbit operations
- Develop high-quality technical documentation tailored for countries building their first-generation satellite talent, including:
- Training manuals, technical handbooks, and step-by-step assembly guides
- Lab instructions, workshop exercises, design templates, and evaluation rubrics
- Presentation decks, curriculum materials, and digital learning modules
- Conduct hands-on training labs where participants design, build, integrate, and test nano-satellite components or full CubeSat-class spacecraft.
- Deliver specialised learning modules for educators, government agencies, and STEM trainers to support long-term capability transfer.
- Provide advanced training on enabling disciplines critical to new space national growth, such as:
- Space mission design and concept development
- Systems-of-systems thinking and interdisciplinary engineering
- Space project governance, programme management, and lifecycle planning
- Safety, regulatory, and quality assurance considerations in space manufacturing
2. Technical Leadership in Satellite Engineering
- Contribute engineering expertise to internal nano-satellite programmes, including concept definition, subsystem design, integration, and testing.
- Support the establishment and operation of satellite engineering facilities, including:
- Educational cleanrooms
- Satellite integration labs
- Thermal vacuum chambers
- Vibration and environmental test equipment
- RF testing and communications setups for ground station integration
- Provide consultation and technical oversight for academic and early-stage national projects, including student satellites, university missions, and capacity-building payloads.
- Ensure all technical training content reflects globally recognised standards (e.g., ECSS, NASA, ISO small satellite guidelines) and best practices in contemporary small satellite engineering.
3. Ecosystem & Institutional Engagement
- Collaborate with ministries, space offices, universities, and research institutions in new space countries to co-develop national space education frameworks.
- Coordinate with international partners—including commercial space companies, regional space agencies, and CubeSat manufacturers—to introduce global knowledge into local ecosystems.
- Participate in workshops, national capability-building conferences, and stakeholder consultations to support long-term growth strategies for emerging space communities.
- Advise policymakers and education stakeholders on establishing sustainable national talent pipelines in satellite engineering and STEM disciplines.
4. Programme Evaluation, Quality Assurance & Continuous Improvement
- Implement structured evaluation methods—participant assessments, hands-on performance metrics, post-training diagnostics, and feedback cycles—to measure programme effectiveness.
- Analyse learning outcomes and recommend enhancements to ensure programmes stay aligned with the latest advancements in nano-satellite technology, new mission profiles, and evolving industry standards.
- Maintain a continuous improvement culture by refreshing modules, incorporating new test results, updating reference architectures, and integrating industry innovations.
- Provide post-programme mentoring to participants engaged in satellite projects, research initiatives, or early-career development.
Qualifications & Professional Requirements
Essential Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Space Engineering, or a closely related technical discipline.
- Minimum of 3 years of hands-on engineering experience with nano-satellites, including:
- Concept design and architecture development
- Subsystem engineering and hardware integration
- Environmental testing and qualification processes
- Pre-deployment readiness and interface coordination with launch services
- Strong technical understanding of small satellite subsystems:
- Electrical power systems (EPS)
- UHF/VHF/S-band/X-band communication systems
- OBC and software integration
- ADCS hardware and control algorithms
- Payload integration and structural systems
- Proficiency in engineering and simulation tools such as STK, MATLAB/Simulink, SolidWorks, FreeFlyer, or comparable platforms.
- Experience working with testing and qualification facilities: TVAC chambers, EMC chambers, cleanrooms, shaker tables, deployment test rigs, etc.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate and instruct effectively, particularly in multicultural environments and emerging talent markets.
- Experience delivering training, workshops, lectures, or technical facilitation for youths, undergraduates, engineers, or STEM educators.
Preferred Competencies
- Master’s degree or postgraduate certification in space systems engineering, satellite communications, or aerospace technology.
- Experience working within or collaborating with space agencies, national space offices, university space labs, or commercial new space companies.
- Familiarity with ground segment operations, satellite telemetry, mission control frameworks, and ground station integration.
- Programming experience in Python, C++, embedded systems, or MATLAB for satellite applications (e.g., ADCS algorithms, image processing, telemetry decoding).
- Experience supporting capability-building programmes in new space nations or developing markets.
- Ability to contribute to national space education strategies and long-term technical workforce development plans.
Why This Role Matters in New Space Countries
- You will play a pivotal role in strengthening the foundational talent, skills, and engineering culture needed for new space nations to participate meaningfully in the global space sector.
- You will support the development of satellite design and manufacturing competencies that enable countries to achieve independent, sustainable, and mission-ready space capabilities.
- You will actively shape national capacity-building frameworks that empower youths, professionals, and academic institutions to drive long-term space innovation.
