At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and validate advanced avionics architectures for autonomous space platforms.
- Company: Join Lodestar, a pioneering company in space technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity incentives, 28 days holiday, and comprehensive health coverage.
- Other info: Hands-on role with excellent career growth in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission to protect high-value space assets with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: BEng/MEng in Electrical Engineering or equivalent experience required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 55000 £ per year.
About Lodestar
Lodestar's mission is to develop the first "Protect and Defend" capability for high-value space assets in orbit. Our flagship product, MITHRIL, is our hardware-agnostic, AI-enabled autonomy software suite that enables us to augment any off-the-shelf spacecraft with the ability to autonomously detect, characterise, and reversibly neutralise orbital threats. By building on the proven space heritage of our best-in-class satellite-bus partners and fully integrating MITHRIL into a single unified platform, we deliver an end-to-end, autonomous in-space bodyguarding service.
About the Job
We are seeking highly motivated Avionics Hardware Engineers to join our multidisciplinary team developing next-generation space systems. You will be responsible for designing, implementing, and validating advanced avionics architectures for autonomous platforms. This role offers the opportunity to work hands-on across the full lifecycle, from concept and simulation to hardware testing and on-orbit readiness.
What You’ll Do
- Perform PCB design, layout, simulation, and validation for high-speed and mixed-signal designs.
- Conduct hardware debugging and system-level testing using oscilloscopes, logic analysers, and other lab instrumentation.
- Build, test, and maintain electrical harnesses and wiring assemblies for flight and development hardware.
- Collaborate closely with mechanical, systems and software teams to ensure seamless integration of avionics hardware into flight systems.
- Support environmental qualification and verification testing (EMC, vibration, thermal vacuum, etc.)
Qualifications
- BEng/MEng in Electrical Engineering, related field or equivalent experience.
- Proven expertise in PCB design, layout, and hardware bring-up/testing.
- Knowledgeable in high-speed interface design and signal integrity analysis.
- Skilled in hardware debugging, fault isolation, and performance characterization.
- Familiar with lab test equipment including oscilloscopes, DAQs, logic analyzers, and power supplies.
- Hands-on experience with electrical assembly, including soldering, crimping, and harness fabrication.
Preferred Skills & Experience
- Experience designing carrier boards for Linux-based SoCs.
- Familiarity with NVIDIA SoCs.
- Hands-on experience with FPGA design and integration.
- Proficient with PCB simulation workflows, including signal integrity, power integrity, and EMC/thermal analysis.
- Background in space-rated electronics and high-reliability design practices, including radiation effects analysis, fault-tolerant architectures, and qualification processes for space systems.
Compensation & Benefits
- Pay Range: (E1) Junior Engineer: £30,000 - £55,000 / year (E2) Software Engineer: £55,000 - £80,000 / year
- Meaningful equity incentives as part of our employee option pool
- 28 days holiday
- Comprehensive medical, dental & vision coverage
- Contributory pension
Important Information:
For security reasons background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations. Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of one of the following countries: Albania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, or United States, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality.
Lodestar is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Lodestar is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Avionics Hardware Engineer in London employer: Lodestar
Lodestar is an exceptional employer for Avionics FPGA Engineers, offering a unique opportunity to work on cutting-edge technology that protects high-value space assets. With a dynamic and collaborative work culture, employees benefit from meaningful equity incentives, comprehensive health coverage, and generous annual leave, all while contributing to groundbreaking advancements in space systems. The company fosters professional growth through hands-on experience across the full lifecycle of projects, making it an ideal place for those passionate about innovation in aerospace.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Avionics Hardware 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 Lodestar for a Avionics Hardware 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 Avionics Hardware Engineer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Lodestar, 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 Lodestar, 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 Lodestar
✨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 Lodestar.
✨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 Lodestar. 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 Lodestar love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
