At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team of systems engineers in developing advanced spacecraft and space systems.
- Company: Join a growing space organisation with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, 25 days annual leave, private healthcare, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic environment with excellent career progression and modern facilities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on exciting space missions while leading a talented engineering team.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in space systems engineering and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Systems Engineering Team Lead to join a growing space organisation developing complex spacecraft and advanced space systems.
This is a senior technical leadership position combining systems engineering, technical delivery and people management.
You will lead a team of systems engineers while remaining closely involved in the development and maturation of complex space systems, from early architecture and mission definition through to integration, verification and delivery.
Working closely with project managers, customers, suppliers and multidisciplinary engineering teams, you will help shape technical solutions, lead system-level trade-offs and ensure projects remain aligned with performance, cost and schedule requirements.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage a team of approximately 6–8 systems engineers, supporting their development, workload and performance.
- Define mission concepts, system requirements, technical objectives and development profiles based on customer and stakeholder needs.
- Lead system-level architecture development and technical trade-off studies.
- Identify key technical drivers relating to system performance, risk, cost and schedule.
- Lead technical discussions and present trade-off analyses to engineering and project stakeholders.
- Manage requirements, design baselines and configuration/change management throughout the system lifecycle.
- Work closely with project managers, engineering leadership, customers and suppliers to achieve consensus on complex technical issues.
- Coordinate technical deliverables, risk mitigation activities and engineering priorities across multidisciplinary teams.
- Identify technical and resource requirements across current and future projects.
- Support recruitment, interviewing and onboarding of new systems engineering team members.
- Identify skills gaps and develop plans to support the professional development of engineers.
- Review and provide technical oversight of engineering outputs.
- Support the team with hands-on systems engineering activities where required.
About You
We are looking for an experienced systems engineer with a strong background in space or similarly complex engineering environments, who is ready to take the next step into a technical team leadership position.
You should have
- 5+ years' experience in space systems engineering or a similarly complex engineering environment.
- A good understanding of the key subsystems and functions involved in a typical satellite mission.
- Strong experience with systems requirements definition, derivation and management.
- Experience with system validation, verification and delivery.
- The ability to conduct complex technical and programme‑level trade-offs.
- Experience managing technical risk, scope, budget and schedule constraints.
- Confidence working with engineering simulations and outputs from aerospace engineering tools.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to explain complex technical subjects to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- The ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary engineering teams.
Desirable Experience
- 2+ years' experience managing or leading systems engineers.
- 8+ years' experience in space systems engineering or similarly complex systems.
- Broader knowledge of spacecraft engineering disciplines such as mechanical, thermal, mechanisms or GNC.
- Experience with satellite Assembly, Integration and Test (AIT).
- Experience supporting spacecraft or mission operations.
- Experience working on ESA or other institutional space programmes.
- Experience working across the full spacecraft development lifecycle.
- What’s on Offer
- Hybrid working with flexible arrangements around core hours.
- Optional 9/75 working pattern.
- 25 days' annual leave, increasing with service, plus public holidays.
- Private healthcare.
- Life insurance and long-term sick pay.
- Relocation assistance may be available.
- Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
- Access to modern engineering and cleanroom facilities.
- Collaborative, international and technically driven working environment.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Systems Engineer or Senior/Lead Systems Engineer looking to combine hands‑on technical engineering with team leadership and strategic responsibility.
You will have the opportunity to influence system architecture, develop engineering capability and lead a talented team working on technically challenging space missions from concept through to delivery.
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Systems Engineering Team Lead in Oxford employer: Holt Executive
Holt Executive is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the field of advanced flight simulation systems. Employees benefit from generous perks such as a discretionary bonus, private medical insurance, and a robust pension scheme, alongside ample opportunities for professional growth and development in the picturesque setting of Pulborough, UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Systems Engineering Team Lead in Oxford
✨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 Holt Executive for a Systems Engineering Team Lead. 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 Engineering Team Lead in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Holt Executive, 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 Holt Executive, 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 Holt Executive
✨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 Holt Executive.
✨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 Holt Executive. 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 Holt Executive love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
