At a Glance
- Tasks: Monitor and analyse space events to ensure satellite safety and develop new software tools.
- Company: Join Raytheon UK, a leader in defence and aerospace technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, pension scheme, flexible working, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Flexible working culture with opportunities for volunteering and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the exciting field of space surveillance and tracking.
- Qualifications: Degree in physics, mathematics, engineering or science; programming experience required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Date Posted: 2026-08-21
Country: United Kingdom
Location: High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
Position Role Type: Onsite
Benefits:
- Competitive salary
- Contributory Pension Scheme (up to 10.5% company contribution)
- 6 times salary ‘Life Assurance’ with pension
- 25 days holiday (increasing with service) + statutory public holidays, plus opportunity to buy and sell up to 5 days (37hr)
- Company bonus scheme (discretionary)
- Flexible Benefits scheme with extensive salary sacrifice schemes, including Health Cashplan, Dental, and Cycle to Work amongst others
- Enhanced sick pay
- Enhanced family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, paternity & shared parental leave
Work Culture:
- 37hr working week, although hours may vary depending on role, job requirement or site-specific arrangements.
- Early 1.30pm finish Friday, start your weekend early!
- Remote, hybrid and site based working opportunities, dependant on your needs and the requirements of the role.
- Up to 5 paid days volunteering each year.
- Flexible working culture focused on output, with more formal flexible working arrangements on request (assessed subject to role).
About us:
At Raytheon UK, we take immense pride in being a leader in defence and aerospace technology. We are dedicated to fuelling innovation, nurturing talent, and fostering a culture of excellence. As a leading defence and aerospace company operating across the United Kingdom, Raytheon UK helps to solve our customers’ toughest challenges. We provide defence solutions across all domains: land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace. We also provide digital and training transformation solutions to commercial and military customers.
Role & Responsibilities:
The Raytheon NORSS team is looking for an Orbital Analyst to work within its operational Orbital Analyst team, performing Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and Space Domain Awareness (SDA) duties, to support the safety of civil and commercial satellite operations. The Orbital Analyst will be responsible for monitoring UK-licenced objects and critical spacecraft and providing timely technical analysis and outputs to support the decision making of key stakeholders. This role involves working at an operational Orbital Analyst centre where day to day duties include ensuring the safety of UK-licenced and critical spacecraft involved in high-interest events by monitoring, evaluating, and reporting on key space events (such as re-entering objects, collision avoidance activities and fragmentations of objects). This role will also provide the opportunity to develop new astrodynamics software capabilities and analytical tools in support of UK led Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) programmes.
Responsibilities:
- Lead and provide technical expertise on Customer programmes, internal Research and Development projects, and contribute to the capture of future opportunities by means of bid-writing and architecting technical solutions in the realm of SDA.
- Lead and coordinate the development of SDA/SSA tools and capabilities and ensure the implementation of operational processes, procedures and systems.
- Define the technical and security requirements, along with the performance standards necessary to integrate new SDA sensors into the current UK network.
- Support customers and partner organisations with technical advice related to the continuing evolution of commercial and government SDA capabilities including infrastructure, software and human assets.
Required experience:
- Relevant experience in the space industry focused on Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST), Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and/or space systems with an understanding of Space Weather, SSA and SST modelling and analysis.
- Understanding of software development lifecycles, workflow procedures and architectures to design, develop, test and validate bespoke SSA tools for both internal and external projects.
- Excellent communication skills (written and oral), to articulate and communicate technical detail clearly and concisely with colleagues, customers and partner organisations at all levels.
- Able to prepare detailed reports and present where necessary.
- Able to work effectively and with initiative both independently and as part of a team in a way that is collaborative and adaptable.
- Broad understanding and experience in data analysis and analytical software utilisation.
- Experience in the development of automated scripts and/or simple software products.
- Effective time management and capable of managing multiple work streams.
- Willing and eligible to hold SC security clearance and obtain DV clearance if required.
- A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (physics, mathematics, engineering or science).
Desirable experience:
- Extensive experience in working in the SDA/SSA/SST space domain and expertise in conducting collision avoidance analysis, orbit determination, fragmentation and re-entry analysis in an operational setting.
- Demonstrable technical expertise in the technical capability and tasking of sensors providing data to support operational collision avoidance, orbit determination, fragmentation and re-entry analysis across all orbital regimes.
- Expertise should include demonstrable experience of radar, optical and laser ranging systems.
- Technical understanding of the end-to-end chain of ground-based and space-based SST sensor development.
- Confident in providing technical demonstrations of capabilities to both internal and external parties.
- Capable of leading a team effectively and professionally to deliver results.
- A strong understanding of celestial mechanics, astrodynamics and atmospheric physics.
- Skilled in one or more of the following programming languages: Fortran, C/C++, Java, Matlab, Python, SQL, Java-script.
- Experienced in the development and utilisation of SST/SSA related computer simulations.
Orbital Analyst in High Wycombe employer: Prattwhitney
Prattwhitney in Fareham is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. With a strong focus on employee growth, the company provides ample opportunities for advancement within the defence sector, alongside a competitive benefits package that supports work-life balance and professional development. Joining Prattwhitney means being part of a dedicated team committed to delivering excellence in military training programmes while building lasting relationships with customers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Orbital Analyst in High Wycombe
✨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 Prattwhitney for a Orbital Analyst. 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 Orbital Analyst in High Wycombe
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Prattwhitney, 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 Prattwhitney, 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 Prattwhitney
✨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 Prattwhitney.
✨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 Prattwhitney. 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 Prattwhitney love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
