Director of Systems Engineering

What if your next move wasn't simply another engineering leadership role, but an opportunity to influence how an entire satellite communications operation works together? We are seeking an experienced Director of Systems Engineering to play a pivotal role within an established satellite communications business undergoing an exciting period of technical development and investment. Working across a multidisciplinary technical organisation, you will bring together systems engineering, satellite operations, architecture and programme delivery. Your role will be to ensure that complex systems, technologies and teams work together effectively, helping the business optimise its existing capabilities while preparing for its next phase of development. A major satellite programme is already underway, making this an opportunity to take ownership of important systems engineering activities from the outset. You will work closely with internal technical teams, satellite manufacturers and systems integrators, helping translate complex technical requirements into coherent architectures, operational procedures and delivery plans. This is a senior, high-impact position suited to someone who combines strong technical foundations with the ability to see the bigger picture, challenge established thinking and bring people together around a common objective. What you'll be doing Systems engineering and technical integration • Coordinate systems engineering activities across multiple technical disciplines, ensuring that individual systems and teams operate as part of a coherent whole. • Provide system-level oversight of satellite architectures, integration activities and operational requirements. • Challenge technical approaches, evaluate alternative solutions and help the business make informed decisions on system design and optimisation. • Lead system-level troubleshooting, working with specialist teams to identify root causes, resolve complex issues and improve overall performance. • Work with external manufacturers, suppliers and integration partners to ensure technical solutions meet operational and business requirements. Programme delivery and operational readiness • Play a central role in the systems engineering activities supporting a major satellite programme. • Coordinate technical workstreams, integration requirements and operational preparations across internal teams and external partners. • Ensure teams have the appropriate knowledge, training, processes and procedures to support new technologies and capabilities. • Help develop and align operational concepts, procedures and disaster recovery arrangements. • Ensure system-level considerations are integrated throughout programme planning, implementation and operational transition. Technology strategy and innovation • Contribute to technology roadmaps and the evolution of the organisation's satellite communications capabilities. • Evaluate emerging technologies and their practical application to satellite operations and network architecture. • Maintain awareness of developments in AI, machine learning, cloud-based architectures and software-defined systems. • Assess opportunities associated with multi-orbit architectures spanning GEO, MEO and LEO, as well as the integration of satellite communications with terrestrial networks and 5G. • Support decisions that balance technical capability, operational resilience, resource requirements and long-term business objectives. Governance and continuous improvement • Review existing engineering processes, technical policies and procedures, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and cross-functional collaboration. • Guide technical teams in strengthening systems engineering practices, integration processes and operational readiness. • Promote effective change management, continuous improvement and consistent engineering standards. • Help ensure that technical decisions and processes support the wider objectives of the organisation. We are interested in individuals who combine broad systems engineering experience with a strong understanding of satellite operations and the ability to work across complex technical environments. You will ideally bring: • Extensive experience in satellite communications, systems engineering or a closely related space-sector environment. • Direct experience of spacecraft operations, alongside a broader understanding of satellite systems and their interfaces with ground infrastructure and supporting technologies. • Experience working across multiple technical disciplines, with the ability to understand system-level dependencies and coordinate specialist teams. • Exposure to satellite system design, architecture, integration, testing or the transition of new satellite capabilities into operations. • Experience working with satellite manufacturers, systems integrators, programme teams and operational stakeholders. • The technical credibility to challenge established approaches, evaluate competing solutions and guide decisions without needing to be the subject-matter expert in every discipline. • Strong analytical, problem-solving and stakeholder-management capabilities. • The ability to operate effectively across a multicultural, multidisciplinary environment, balancing strategic thinking with practical execution. A relevant master's degree in systems engineering, electrical engineering, satellite communications, aerospace engineering or a related discipline is desirable. Experience with AI, cloud-based systems, software-defined architectures and emerging satellite technologies would be advantageous, particularly where you have helped assess their application to real operational environments. Why consider this role? A genuine opportunity to influence the whole system. Rather than concentrating on a single subsystem or technical discipline, you will work across the organisation, helping connect engineering, operations, architecture and programme delivery. Immediate ownership and impact. With a major satellite programme already underway, you will have meaningful work to lead from the outset, rather than spending your first year simply establishing yourself in the business. A step forward in your career. This is an opportunity for an experienced Principal Engineer, Systems Engineering Lead, Senior Systems Engineer or equivalent professional to move into a Director-level position, with organisation-wide influence and visibility. Exposure to evolving satellite technologies. You will help shape how established satellite communications capabilities develop alongside emerging architectures, technologies and potential new areas of business. The potential to build something over time. The initial remit is broad and hands-on, with the possibility for the systems engineering function to expand as the organisation's activities and technical ambitions develop. You will join an established satellite communications operator with a multidisciplinary technical team and a strong focus on delivering reliable, sophisticated satellite services. The organisation is investing in its next

A relevant master's degree in systems engineering, electrical engineering, satellite communications, aerospace engineering or a related discipline is desirable. Experience with AI, cloud-based systems, software-defined architectures and emerging satellite technologies would be advantageous, particularly where you have helped assess their application to real operational environments.

Systems engineering and technical integration: Coordinate systems engineering activities across multiple technical disciplines, ensuring that individual systems and teams operate as part of a coherent whole. Provide system-level oversight of satellite architectures, integration activities and operational requirements. Challenge technical approaches, evaluate alternative solutions and help the business make informed decisions on system design and optimisation. Lead system-level troubleshooting, working with specialist teams to identify root causes, resolve complex issues and improve overall performance. Work with external manufacturers, suppliers and integration partners to ensure technical solutions meet operational and business requirements. Programme delivery and operational readiness: Play a central role in the systems engineering activities supporting a major satellite programme. Coordinate technical workstreams, integration requirements and operational preparations across internal teams and external partners. Ensure teams have the appropriate knowledge, training, processes and procedures to support new technologies and capabilities. Help develop and align operational concepts, procedures and disaster recovery arrangements. Ensure system-level considerations are integrated throughout programme planning, implementation and operational transition. Technology strategy and innovation: Contribute to technology roadmaps and the evolution of the organisation's satellite communications capabilities. Evaluate emerging technologies and their practical application to satellite operations and network architecture. Maintain awareness of developments in AI, machine learning, cloud-based architectures and software-defined systems. Assess opportunities associated with multi-orbit architectures spanning GEO, MEO and LEO, as well as the integration of satellite communications with terrestrial networks and 5G. Support decisions that balance technical capability, operational resilience, resource requirements and long-term business objectives. Governance and continuous improvement: Review existing engineering processes, technical policies and procedures, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and cross-functional collaboration. Guide technical teams in strengthening systems engineering practices, integration processes and operational readiness. Promote effective change management, continuous improvement and consistent engineering standards. Help ensure that technical decisions and processes support the wider objectives of the organisation.