At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex design projects, turning ambiguity into actionable insights and strategies.
- Company: Join the Satellite Applications Catapult, bridging space tech with real-world applications.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, mentorship opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Collaborative team culture with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping innovative solutions across various sectors.
- Qualifications: Experience in service design and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 € per year.
We’re hiring a Senior Service Designer to join our User Centered Design Team (UCD). You will lead complex, early‑stage work where the real challenge is determining the right problem before any solution is on the table. At the Satellite Applications Catapult, we bridge the gap between space technology and practical applications. Working with government, industry, and international partners, we collaborate to identify how satellite‑derived data and capabilities can create real‑world value.
You will bring design leadership to that work: helping clients and partners understand what’s possible, what’s needed, and how to move from ambiguity to action. You will work as part of a team of six designers reporting into the Head of UCD. As a small team we punch above our weight working on a wide range of projects in areas such as agriculture, healthcare, transport, and energy, supporting small and large companies alike. Every day is different and might involve scoping a new project with external stakeholders, producing mock‑ups to use in a user interview, or working with a small business to collaboratively map out user journeys.
This is a senior individual contributor role with meaningful leadership responsibilities. You will manage and mentor mid‑level and junior designers, represent the design practice to senior stakeholders, and help shape how we work as a UCD team, not just what we deliver.
Key Responsibilities- Lead Discovery in Complex, Ambiguous Contexts
- Own and lead end‑to‑end discovery phases for multi‑stakeholder programmes
- Define research strategies and determine what needs to be known before decisions are made
- Work effectively in domains where expertise is distributed across teams and problems are not yet well‑formed
- Shape Strategy Through Design
- Reframe ambiguous problems into insights and concepts
- Connect policy goals, commercial realities, technical constraints, and user needs into coherent recommendations
- Design operating models, service propositions, and implementation pathways
- Use systems thinking approaches to identify root causes, anticipate downstream impacts, risks, and dependencies
- Contribute meaningfully to bids, proposals, and early‑stage opportunity shaping
- Facilitate engineers, scientists, policy professionals, procurement leads creating shared understanding without being the subject matter expert
- Build credibility quickly with senior stakeholders across government, public sector, and industry
- Be an active connector of people, ideas and opportunities
- Make Ideas Tangible
- Produce blueprints, system maps, prototypes, and service concepts choosing the right tool and fidelity for the purpose; from a quick sketch to a structured service blueprint, without over‑engineering it
- Use tangible artefacts to unlock high‑stakes decisions and bring creativity into delivery by exploring options quickly, testing assumptions early, and surfacing trade‑offs
- Lead you understand time, budget, and delivery constraints and can design within them
- Comfortable building external relationships and representing the Catapult with credibility
- Experience in technical or regulated sectors: data, infrastructure, engineering, defence, environment, agriculture etc.
- Familiarity with public sector and government commissioning, including Innovate UK, UKRI, ESA, or similar funding environments
Senior Service Designer employer: Satellite Applications Catapult
At the Satellite Applications Catapult, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. Our User Centered Design Team thrives on tackling complex challenges, offering employees the chance to lead impactful projects across diverse sectors such as agriculture and healthcare. With a strong emphasis on professional growth, mentorship opportunities, and the ability to work alongside industry leaders, we empower our team members to make meaningful contributions while enjoying a dynamic and supportive environment.
Contact Detail:
Satellite Applications Catapult Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Service Designer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. The more you engage, the better your chances of landing that Senior Service Designer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best work, especially projects that demonstrate your ability to lead discovery phases and tackle complex problems. Make sure it’s easy to access and visually appealing.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by understanding the company’s mission and how your design leadership can contribute. Be ready to discuss how you’ve turned ambiguity into actionable insights in past roles—this will impress the hiring team!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Service Designer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Service Designer role. Highlight your experience in leading discovery phases and working with multi-stakeholder programmes, as this is key for us at StudySmarter.
Showcase Your Design Leadership:We want to see how you've managed and mentored other designers in the past. Share specific examples of how you've shaped design practices and contributed to team dynamics, as this will resonate with our collaborative culture.
Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, illustrate how you've reframed ambiguous problems into actionable insights. We love candidates who can connect user needs with commercial realities, so don't hold back on those examples!
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure you apply directly through our website. This helps us keep track of applications and ensures you’re considered for the role in a timely manner. We can't wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Satellite Applications Catapult
✨Understand the Role and Its Challenges
Before the interview, dive deep into what being a Senior Service Designer entails. Familiarise yourself with the complexities of leading discovery phases in ambiguous contexts. Think about how you can articulate your experience in reframing problems and connecting various stakeholder needs.
✨Showcase Your Design Leadership
Be ready to discuss specific examples where you've led design initiatives or mentored other designers. Highlight how you've shaped strategies through design and contributed to projects that required collaboration across different sectors. This will demonstrate your ability to manage and inspire a team.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that ask you to solve hypothetical problems or describe how you'd approach certain challenges. Practice articulating your thought process in these scenarios, especially around defining research strategies and making decisions in complex environments.
✨Connect with Their Mission
Research the Satellite Applications Catapult and understand their mission of bridging space technology with practical applications. Be prepared to discuss how your skills and experiences align with their goals, particularly in areas like agriculture, healthcare, and energy. This connection can set you apart from other candidates.
