On-board Data Handling Engineer

At ClearSpace, we believe in reusability, in affordability driving disruption, and that no progress is real unless it is sustainable.

Our company was founded in 2018 out of the realization that in-orbit servicing and space debris removal are vital services for the future of space exploration and operations. Today ClearSpace has assembled an expert engineering team and is leading the way toward sustainable space operations. From a garage in Switzerland, we now operate across UK and Europe, and are working with world-leading institutions and companies to bring our dream of a sustainable space ecosystem to life.

We are looking for an On-board Data Handling Engineer to join our Electrical team in London, working across current missions and future programmes.

Role Purpose/Summary

As an On-Board Data Handling Engineer, you will support the technical development of ClearSpace spacecraft, with a focus on data handling/avionics architecture, interfaces, and system‑level integration.

You will contribute across the full mission lifecycle — from early concept and requirements definition through design, AIT, launch, and in‑orbit commissioning — working closely with subsystem, software, and systems engineers to ensure a coherent and robust system design.

Role Responsibilities

System Engineering

• Provide data handling system engineering, both high level architecture and detailed electronics design, from specification to integration
• Develop and maintain data handling system architectures for ClearSpace missions, covering hardware, interface and protocol definitions
• Specify and select hardware for on-board data processing to ensure high reliability and high compute capability
• Act as the technical point of contact on the data handling systems with key stakeholders: internal project teams, flight software team, customers, subcontractors.
• Perform requirements engineering (analysis, flow-up and down) related to data handling systems, and the electrical interfaces of other on-board hardware
• Maintain spacecraft budgets and parametric models for the data handling systems
• Support the definition of test equipment
• Define validation, verification and test plans
• Support Product Assurance activities and technical reviews
• Contribute to development, verification, and AIV/T planning at system and spacecraft level
• Support integration and test of electrical units, including generation of reports
• Support flight operations
• Generate documentation for the full project lifetime (e.g. Design, Development and Verification Plan; FMEA; design review documentation; in-orbit subsystem operational procedures)
• Support to customer and project reviews

Unit definition and procurement

• Write and support Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to external companies for avionics units reviewing responses and supporting-down selections
• Provide subcontractor management and technical supervision for key hardware deliverables, both power units and supporting other avionics procurements
• Review and assess data handling electronics aspects of all spacecraft equipment supporting other disciplines

Internal developments

• Support architecture and product development for future data handling systems design
• Contribute to detailed data handling design for in-house developments

Must have

• BSc or MSc in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline

• 5+ years Electrical Engineering experience in the space industry in an avionics/data handling role

• Knowledge of common spacecraft communication buses (CAN, SpaceWire, Ethernet, etc.)

• Familiarity with programable logic and microcontrollers.

• Experience working with system‑level requirements, interfaces, and technical documentation

• Knowledge of typical program lifecycles, with previous experience as an active contributor to key formal reviews (PDR, CDR, etc)

• Ability to work in a team and willingness to collaborate outside your immediate expertise

• Well‑organised, with the ability to handle multiple technical topics in parallel

Nice to have

• Detailed understanding of spacecraft computer architectures

• Embedded software or HDL programming experience

• Experience with space-to-ground communications protocols and RF links, including CCSDS standards and Packet Utilisation Standard

• Detailed understanding of electronics analysis, design, build, and test

• Hands-on electronics design and test experience, including fault diagnosis

• Experience with common space standards (ECSS, MIL, etc), and associated tailoring

• Experience interacting with institutional customers such as ESA or the UK Space Agency

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