Senior Systems Engineer in Oxford

About Archangel Lightworks

Archangel Lightworks is a laser communications company building wireless technology. Founded in 2017, we believe that laser communications to and from satellites is a key component of next-generation infrastructure. Our core product, the TERRA-M, is a deployable optical ground station with proven capability for space - ground data transfer. Our team develops and operates products that advance the security and resilience of critical national infrastructure. We value compassion, resilience, curiosity, ownership and integrity. Our start-up is a fast-paced and supportive environment, where you can contribute to novel technology with meaningful applications like reducing the Digital Divide. Archangel Lightworks recently closed over £10 million of investment in an oversubscribed Series A funding round. Our company is also supported by the UK Space Agency, the UK’s Department of Science and Technology (DSIT) and the UK Ministry of Defence.

About the job

As a Senior Systems Engineer, you will play a critical role in the specification, design, integration, and test of our Optical Ground Stations and other products. This role involves working closely with internal engineering teams, external partners, and customers to ensure the systems support our operational needs and enables smooth integration with partner systems. You will be responsible for defining system and sub-system requirements, designing architecture, ensuring robust integration, and supporting the deployment and maintenance of ground stations. Additionally, you may be responsible for leading a small team, planning sprints, and coordinating activities to ensure timely and successful project delivery. This is a cross-functional role that bridges systems engineering and other engineering disciplines, and operational workflows.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Own systems or subsystems as required, leading specification and verification activities, and serving as the primary technical point of contact for external partners related to these systems.
• Actively identify and address risks and issues within the allocated systems.
• Drive communications within the product teams, producing accurate requirements, designs, models and documents, ensuring performance, consistency and coherence of the overall design.
• Take responsibility for planning and execution of verification, qualification and operational demonstration of designs to the agreed internal and external standards including interoperability.
• Develop, maintain, and review system documentation and models, including user manuals and ICDs, operational procedures, and technical budgets.
• As needed, lead sprint planning, manage Agile workflows, and ensure timely delivery of team tasks including day to day coordination of subsystem developments and technical supplier/subcontract management.
• Contribute to continual improvement of AL systems engineering processes including model-based systems engineering (MBSE) and tool support, and advocate this process within the engineering team.

As a senior engineer within Archangel Lightworks, you will:

• Lead significant projects/developments/parts of the system (e.g., major subsystem for satellite link, ground station integration).
• Demonstrate strong architecture/design skills; tackle ambiguous technical challenges.
• Mentor mid-level/junior engineers; influence technical decisions and best practices.
• Communicate effectively with leadership and external stakeholders.
• Proactively seek opportunities for growth, staying abreast of the state-of-the-art, driving innovation based on new developments and embodying the value of curiosity.
• Support deployment and operation of the system.
• Generate and capture intellectual property.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace engineering or a related engineering field, with a strong theoretical background.
• 5+ years of experience in systems engineering of comparable systems such as complex communications, electro-optical, electro-mechanical or embedded software systems.
• Demonstrable ‘hands-on’ practical skills, willing and able to directly operate the system to run tests, perform operational demos, and investigate issues.
• Understanding of systems engineering standards and processes (e.g. MBSE, SysML), and associated tool support (e.g. Enterprise Architect).
• Experience of the full engineering lifecycle, from requirements definition through verification and validation to operations and production.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills, including the ability to analyse data and apply engineering judgement to propose solutions and evaluate options.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across multiple disciplines and with external partners, and provide technical leadership.

Desirable additional skills:

• Experience with satellite communication systems, optical ground stations, or related technologies and standards (CCSDS, SDA, ESTOL).
• Experience including high data rate comms (Gbps+) and error correction protocols, precision optics and lasers, and pointing and tracking algorithms directly relevant.
• Experience of developing space flight systems, including developing to ECSS standards.
• Experience of developing safety related systems, including risk assessments, functional safety lifecycles, and development to specific safety standards such as IEC 61508.
• Understanding of system security principles, including encryption, authentication, and secure data transfer.
• Experience with control systems implementation and modelling, including precision tracking, and use of Matlab/Simulink.
• Experience of product qualification and certification, such as CE / FCC and domain specific standards.
• Familiarity with cloud software integration, networking protocols and distributed systems (e.g., TCP/IP, HTTP, MQTT) and data serialization formats (e.g., JSON, Protobuf).
• Knowledge of data visualization tools and techniques for operational monitoring and analysis, and use tools and programming languages such as Python for analysis and automation.

Location: Our office is based in Osney Mead, Oxford. There may be opportunity to work from home as agreed with your line manager. There may be opportunity for periodic business travel.

What we offer:

• Opportunity to work on advanced optical systems to support a world-changing vision.
• A collaborative and transparent culture with strong links between functions.
• Regular socials and weekly company lunch.
• Professional development and skills growth within a specialist engineering field.
• Competitive salary and benefits package, with equity options in a growing start-up.
• 25 days annual leave allowance plus bank holidays.

Archangel Lightworks is an equal opportunity employer. As part of our commitment to equality, we work to ensure a fair and consistent interview process. If you need any assistance or accommodation to complete your application or assessment, please contact us through the application form. We recognise that many candidates use AI tools when applying. Please ensure your application reflects your own experience, skills, and thinking. We assess applications based on authenticity and accuracy, so anything generated with AI should be reviewed, personalised, and representative of you.