Principal Systems Engineer in Farnborough

AALTO’s Zephyr is a High‑Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) and is the only one of its kind to have demonstrated day/night longevity in the stratosphere. Providing a persistent and adaptable solution, unlike other unmanned aircraft. Its persistence enables a capability of flying continuously for months at a time, at around 70,000 feet, above weather and conventional air traffic. The newly established entity shall become the leading Global HAPS Connectivity as a Service (CaaS) provider for the Mobile and Satellite Network Operator market – connecting the diverse needs of our customers – whether for rural, overlay capacity, disaster recovery or new services provision. In addition, it shall offer Platform as a Service (PaaS) to the Institutional and Military markets for Earth observation, tracking and communications requirements, as well as operating a global fleet of carbon neutral HAPS platforms – powered by sunlight.

Job Purpose

As a Principal Systems Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in the design, development, and implementation of the Zephyr system. Leveraging your extensive experience and expertise, you will lead and contribute to complex systems engineering projects, ensuring they meet performance, safety, and regulatory standards. You will work closely with cross‑functional teams to ensure the successful implementation, meeting project objectives, and adhering to safety and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Project Management: Manage integration projects from initiation to completion, overseeing budget, timeline, and resource allocation to deliver successful outcomes.
• Technical Leadership: Provide guidance, mentoring and inspiring a diverse team of engineers, fostering collaboration, creativity and professional growth. Make decisions on technical issues and ensure the team adheres to best practices in systems engineering. No direct Line reports.
• Compliance Verification: As a CVE, independently verify the compliance of design solutions with applicable regulations. This includes approving all compliance documents, including test programs and data necessary for the verification of compliance with applicable CS and environmental protection requirements. Spearhead the design process, including conceptualization, specifications, and system architecture, taking into account aerodynamics and mechanical integration, avionics HW & SW, communication, and payload integration.
• Operational Support: Monitor and analyse system performance. Lead real‑time anomaly resolution and recovery activities to ensure continuous operation.
• System Design Review: Conduct design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR …).
• Requirements Management: Elicitation, analysis, traceability, prioritisation, V&V, baseline and maintenance.
• Testing and Validation: Develop and manage extensive testing protocols to validate the integrated systems’ performance, including system‑level testing, and mission simulation.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all activities comply with PART 21 regulations, which cover the certification and airworthiness requirements for aircraft and aircraft parts.
• Research and Development: Stay updated with the latest HAPS technologies and trends.
• Risk Management: Identify and mitigate technical and operational risks associated with HAPS development and operations.
• Customisation and Optimisation: Tailor integration solutions to meet the unique requirements of complex missions, optimising systems for various operational environments.
• Communication: Collaborate with cross‑functional teams, including software engineers, hardware engineers, project managers and analysis engineers to ensure smooth project coordination and integration.
• Documentation: Maintain detailed records of design specifications, testing results, and project progress. Prepare reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Customer and Supplier Interaction: Act as the primary technical point of contact for customers and suppliers. Manage technical aspects of contracts and ensure compliance with specifications.
• Overseas Travel: Travel overseas may be required as part of this job.

Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience in Systems Engineering tools, e.g. DOORS.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and teamwork abilities.
• Familiarity with the certification process and the ability to act as a liaison with regulatory authorities.
• Exceptional problem‑solving and analytical skills.
• Knowledge of aviation processes: ARP4754, ARP4761, DO178, DO254.
• MBSE Experience.

AALTO HAPS Ltd. is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status or pregnancy and maternity.