Systems Engineer - Space

CompanyCivil Aviation Authority

LocationCrawley, England, United Kingdom

Posted At2/17/2026

UK Visa Sponsorship Analytics

Occupation Type

IT business analysts, architects and systems designers

Occupation Code Skill LevelHigher Skilled

Sponsorship Salary Threshold

£54,900 (£28.15 per hour)

Occupation rate applies

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Description

Job description:

Salary: £60,000 up to £69,524 dependent upon experience

Contract Type: Permanent – Full Time

Security Level: SC

Base Location: Gatwick – hybrid options available and will be discussed at interview

Visa Restrictions: This position does not offer visa sponsorship

We are the UK's aviation and aerospace regulator and recognised as a world leader in its field. Our activities are diverse, enabling the aviation industry to meet the highest safety standards, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the constantly evolving aviation environment.

The Role

This role is for a Systems Engineer within the Space Systems team. The Space Systems team along with the Space Analysis team make up the wider Space Engineering team, the primary function of which is to provide engineering and safety expertise and services to the applications, operations and policy teams in carrying out regulatory functions.

The Space Systems team comprises technical and safety experts who are involved with both orbital and launch activities. Typical day-to-day activities include making detailed reviews of spacecraft platforms and in-orbit operations to understanding the failure modes of launch vehicles. System engineers are primarily involved in:

Assessing the technical content of space license applications, principally by reviewing the evidence provided in order to make a safety determination.
Ongoing development of assessment frameworks for each license type, to ensure consistency in the review of the technical evidence provided by applicants.
Providing technical recommendations and guidance to support policy decisions or direction on topics such as launch vehicle flight safety, satellite orbital operations and space traffic management
Technically supporting the Operations function in the monitoring of licensees throughout the entire lifecycle of their licenced activities.

Core Accountabilities

Reviewing the technical evidence presented by the applicant/prospective applicant and assess whether the design/operation proposed satisfies the UK Space Industry Regulations.
Provide technical support to the operations team for monitoring of licensees through the life of their mission. This may involve supporting on-site inspections and audits, attendance at critical reviews or

events throughout the life of the mission, reviewing satellite End-of-Life plans, assessing whether licence conditions are being met and providing recommendations on the technical readiness and execution of the missions. The monitoring may be covering launch, spaceport, range services, satellite in-orbit operations or elements of the ground segment.

Be able to summarise and explain technical concepts and safety topics to policy, other members of the CAA and external stakeholders

Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders in the development of guidance material and policy that will provide instruction to the CAA and future applicants and licensees.

Leading or contributing to continuous capability improvement projects within the engineering team to improve our understanding of the risks involved in the activities that we regulate and developing new assessment criteria, guidance and procedures.

About You

Essential

Degree level knowledge of an engineering, scientific or mathematical discipline, or equivalent science based/engineering experience.

Strong technical background, with demonstrated experience in the design, development, manufacture and testing of complex and/or safety critical systems, sub-systems or components thereof.

Demonstrated experience in a safety engineering discipline within any high-risk engineering sector (e.g. Aerospace, Nuclear, Oil and Gas/Petrochemicals, Defence, Explosives & Munitions, Maritime & Offshore industries)

Experience in developing, managing and trading-off complex engineering requirements in the support of detailed design studies, hardware development and/or implementation programmes. Including a clear understanding of the approaches to verification and validation of design requirements.

Previous involvement in various phases of a complex engineering project lifecycle. A clear understanding and experience of project milestones and expected deliverables for large engineering projects.

Demonstrated ability to convey complex engineering/scientific topics to a varied audience across industry, academia, government and international partners.

Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills

Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, with a proven ability to convey technical information to both experts and non-experts alike

Ability to collaborate closely with others, work independently or work as part of a team

Desirable

A good understanding of the qualification and acceptance approach for space hardware including model philosophy, test facilities used for launch vehicles or satellites and their associated subsystems and the Assembly, Integration and Verification (AIV) process
Demonstrated experience in satellite operations and ground segment, e.g. developing satellite operational procedures/handbooks, controlling/tasking a satellite from a mission operations centre using a ground station, support to satellite LEOP, commissioning, IOT campaigns.
Experience of launch vehicle or spacecraft failure mode analysis such as using Failure Mode Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMECA), Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), Fault Detection Isolation and Reduction and/or bow-tie analysis, to identify the failure modes of the launch vehicle or spacecraft, failure probabilities, consequences and common mitigation approaches adopted.
Experience in performing quantitative risks assessments in hazardous industries

Previous involvement in supporting a launch campaign either from the payload or launch vehicle perspective. Knowledge and experience in mission analysis for spacecraft and launch vehicles, including mission design, trajectory optimisation, high-speed aerodynamics, stage impact propagation/dispersion, vehicle performance for expendable and/or reuseable launch vehicles

Involvement in large test campaigns for space hardware either for new components/ subsystems or integrated satellites or launch vehicles, e.g. acceptance testing, environmental test campaigns.

Additional Information

The space team have a commitment to hybrid working with a collaborative approach to office attendance that will be discussed at length during the interview process.

For many appointments within the CAA, these roles require access to operationally sensitive infrastructure and/or Nationally Protected information. For these roles the post holders must undergo National Security Vetting and achieve the appropriate level of clearance.

SC - To be vetted we will usually expect a reasonable period of residency in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken. For this role this will need to be 5 years.

If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application.

For more information on SC clearance please visit - Vetting explained - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The CAA values high ethical standards and personal integrity among employees. If invited for interview you will be asked to complete a declaration of interest.

Relocation & Property

The CAA will be relocating from Aviation House (Our Gatwick Office) to new premises in a few years’ time. Our move is driven by strategic, operational and environmental considerations.

We will be moving to a new local home, up to a 15-mile radius of Aviation House, to minimise disruption for our valued colleagues and customers.

We are now working with colleagues and visitors to understand what we need in our new office, before we start our property search. We will sell Aviation House and land, vacate the site and move to new premises, but we do not expect to move before 2028

Inclusive Recruitment

We are passionate about diversity and ensuring all are included at the CAA. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

As a member of the Disability Confident scheme, applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role with us will be guaranteed an interview. We use fair and inclusive selection approaches to hire the best person for the job based on merit alone. If you require an adjustment for any reason, please let us know.

Use of Artificial Intelligence by candidates in the CAA recruitment process

We recognise that many of our candidates find Artificial Intelligence to be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected on that basis.

Working With Us

We are on a journey towards being increasingly adaptable, where our colleagues collaborate as part of cross-functional teams. This approach ensures we never stop learning together. It also means that you may become involved in activities that take you out of your day-to-day role, providing you with opportunities to develop and grow your career with us.

We have embraced hybrid working and offer flexible working patterns, being open to having a conversation about what works for you. We know where and when we work is important in achieving a work-life balance.

We offer a range of excellent benefits such as flexible working arrangements, free onsite gym at Gatwick, discounted gym membership for London, 28 days annual leave, additional 5 days leave purchase scheme, a generous pension scheme and much more!

Our Values

Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone – For more information please Click Here

Closing Date: Sunday 15th March 2026

Interview Date: W/C Tuesday 7th or Monday 13th April 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

No recruitment agencies please.