At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead system engineering for a major spacecraft mission and ensure reliability across subsystems.
- Company: ALTEN, a global leader in engineering and technology consultancy.
- Benefits: Personalised career path, private medical insurance, flexible working, and team-building events.
- Other info: Diverse projects, ongoing learning, and a commitment to inclusivity.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and shape the future of technology and sustainability.
- Qualifications: Experience in the space industry and strong system engineering skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
ALTEN is a global engineering and technology consultancy operating across over 35 countries worldwide. We partner with industry leaders across sectors including Aeronautics, Aerospace, Defence, Naval, Automotive, Energy, Rail, IT and many more to deliver innovative engineering solutions that drive technological advancement and support sustainable transformation.
We are seeking a System Engineer to join our team in London to support a major spacecraft mission within the space sector. You will play a central role in defining, coordinating, and validating system-level behaviour across multiple subsystems, ensuring the spacecraft meets its mission requirements with reliability and precision.
Location: London
On Site: 1-2x a month
Clearance: Clearable
Experience Level: Mid Level
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead system-level requirements definition, flow-down, and traceability across all spacecraft subsystems.
- Develop and maintain the system architecture, ensuring coherent interfaces between electrical, mechanical, RF, software, and payload domains.
- Produce and manage Interface Control Documents (ICDs), system specifications, and verification plans.
- Coordinate technical activities across multidisciplinary teams, ensuring alignment with mission-level objectives.
- Support trade-off analyses, design reviews, and system-level decision-making throughout the development lifecycle.
- Lead system-level verification and validation, including functional testing, performance assessment, and compliance checks.
- Analyse subsystem interactions, identify risks, and drive mitigation strategies to ensure spacecraft reliability.
Qualifications
Required Skills:
- Mandatory Space industry experience — direct involvement in spacecraft, satellite systems, or mission-critical space hardware.
- Strong understanding of system engineering processes for complex aerospace platforms.
- Experience defining and managing system-level requirements and interfaces.
- Ability to interpret subsystem documentation (electrical, mechanical, RF, software, payload).
- Experience with verification and validation activities at system level.
- Skilled in producing system documentation such as ICDs, specifications, and verification matrices.
- Strong analytical skills for trade studies, risk analysis, and system-level problem solving.
- Ability to coordinate across multidisciplinary engineering teams.
Required Qualifications:
- A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, or equivalent military experience.
Desirable Skills:
- Knowledge of ECSS or similar space-industry standards.
- Experience with model-based systems engineering (MBSE) tools or methodologies.
- Familiarity with spacecraft AIT workflows and system-level testing.
- Understanding of mission analysis, operations concepts, and spacecraft behaviour.
- Exposure to configuration control, change management, and system baselining.
Additional Information
We bring together entrepreneurial, tech-driven people to deliver innovative solutions for leading companies. At ALTEN, you’ll work on exciting projects, supported by ongoing learning, mentoring, and clear career development tailored to your goals.
In short you get:
- A personalised career path and a rewarding management style
- A huge diversity of engineering projects and industries
- Private Medical Insurance
- Cycle & Tech Scheme
- Employee assistance programme
- Life insurance & Pension Scheme
- Social atmosphere, regular gatherings & team buildings
- Flexible way of working (role dependent)
We are proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant and actively encourage applications from members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans, reservists, service leavers, and military spouses/partners. We recognise the value of military skills and experience and are committed to ensuring that no applicant is unfairly disadvantaged during our recruitment and selection processes. ALTEN is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and values the strength that comes from a global mix of backgrounds and perspectives. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of background or protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.
If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know. This role may require you to have or be willing to go through Security Clearance. As part of the onboarding process candidates will be asked to complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard; details of the evidence required to apply may be found on the government website Gov.UK. If you are unable to meet this and any associated criteria, then your employment may be delayed, or rejected. Details of this will be discussed with you at interview.
Systems Engineer in London employer: ALTEN
ALTEN is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, where passionate engineers collaborate on groundbreaking projects in the heart of London. With a strong commitment to employee growth, ALTEN offers tailored career development paths, ongoing learning opportunities, and a supportive environment that values diversity and innovation. Join us to be part of a team that not only drives technological advancement but also prioritises your well-being with comprehensive benefits and a flexible working approach.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Systems Engineer in London
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with ALTEN for a Systems Engineer. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Systems Engineer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at ALTEN, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At ALTEN, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at ALTEN
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with ALTEN.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with ALTEN. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like ALTEN love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
