At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and optimise satellite user terminal architectures for various applications.
- Company: Join Open Cosmos, a mission-driven company revolutionising space technology.
- Benefits: Work with cutting-edge tech, competitive salary, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for growth in the UK or Spain.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in space technology while solving global challenges.
- Qualifications: Deep understanding of satellite systems and strong technical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Aim high, go beyond! At Open Cosmos we are solving the world’s biggest challenges from space, providing businesses, governments and researchers access to more readily available information than ever before - ready for the challenge? Then read on…
Working in the Satcom Team, the Satcom Team is responsible for modelling, simulating, and continuously optimising the performance of Open Cosmos’ satellite communication infrastructure. This includes the space segment, inter-satellite links, terminals, and ground connectivity, ensuring our end-to-end systems deliver reliable, efficient, and scalable service under dynamic conditions. We work with cutting-edge technologies such as digital twins, autonomous networks, and large-scale constellation models. The team plays a key role in design validation, mission planning, and performance-driven engineering decision-making.
As a User Terminal Architect, you will own the end-to-end architecture and technical definition of Open Cosmos’ satellite user terminal portfolio, spanning fixed, mobility, and highly integrated low-power devices. You will:
- Define the complete architecture and technical specifications for all user terminal types, including fixed enterprise terminals, vehicular and aeronautical mobility solutions, and compact IoT and handheld devices.
- Translate commercial, service, and system-level requirements into clear, verifiable technical requirements across all terminal subsystems.
- Lead the technical definition and integration of antenna systems, RF front ends, modems, digital processing, and power management architectures.
- Drive critical trade-offs across performance, size, weight, power, manufacturability, cost, and reliability, ensuring designs are suitable for mass production.
- Ensure terminal designs meet required link performance, operational reliability, and regulatory constraints.
- Define operational concepts for terminal activation, acquisition, tracking, handover, and remote management.
- Specify requirements for autonomous operation, interference mitigation, diagnostics, and firmware or configuration updates.
- Define test strategies and specifications covering type approval, over-the-air performance validation, EMC compliance, and quality assurance.
- Provide technical models, data, and assumptions to support end-to-end system and network performance modelling.
- Work closely with system, payload, RF, modem, manufacturing, and test teams to ensure successful delivery of scalable, mass-producible terminals.
What You’ll bring:
- Deep understanding of end-to-end satellite user terminal architectures across fixed, mobility, and low-power form factors.
- Strong knowledge of antenna systems, including electronically steerable phased arrays and integrated low-gain antennas.
- In-depth understanding of RF systems, including link budgets, noise figure, linearity, self-interference, and cascade effects.
- Confidence defining RF transceiver chains, modem integration, and power management architectures.
- Strong grasp of digital modem and PHY-layer processing.
- The ability to translate commercial and system-level needs into mass-producible technical specifications.
- Comfort making informed trade-offs across performance, SWaP, manufacturability, cost, and reliability.
- Understanding of user terminal operational concepts, including acquisition, tracking, handover, and remote management.
- Familiarity with test strategies for OTA performance, regulatory compliance, and quality assurance.
- Capability to develop and communicate system models and assumptions to support network-level optimisation.
This role will be based in the UK or Spain. To apply, you must have the legal right to work in this location. When applying, please submit your CV in English.
Why Open Cosmos?
- Work at the cutting edge of space technology with customers around the globe.
- A mission-driven company making space accessible to help solve real-world challenges.
- A diverse, ambitious, and supportive team.
User Terminal Architect in Didcot employer: Open Cosmos
Open Cosmos is an exceptional employer for those passionate about space technology, offering a dynamic and inclusive work environment where innovation thrives. With a commitment to employee growth and development, team members are encouraged to collaborate across disciplines while tackling real-world challenges through cutting-edge satellite communications solutions. Join a diverse and ambitious team dedicated to making space accessible, all while enjoying the benefits of a supportive culture that values respect and belonging.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land User Terminal Architect in Didcot
✨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 Open Cosmos for a User Terminal Architect. 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 User Terminal Architect in Didcot
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Open Cosmos, 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 Open Cosmos, 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 Open Cosmos
✨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 Open Cosmos.
✨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 Open Cosmos. 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 Open Cosmos love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
