At a Glance
- Tasks: Take charge of maintaining and troubleshooting cutting-edge antenna systems for space launches.
- Company: Join SaxaVord Spaceport, a leader in the aerospace industry.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and hands-on experience in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of space technology and contribute to successful launch operations.
- Qualifications: Degree in engineering and 5+ years of relevant experience required.
- Other info: Exciting career growth with international travel opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We're looking for a hands-on Ground Station Engineer to take full ownership of the maintenance, reliability, and lifecycle of all antenna assets (range, hosted, and proprietary) at SaxaVord Spaceport. This is a hands-on technical role combining preventative/corrective maintenance, deep troubleshooting (L1–L3), supplier/manufacturer liaison and formalisation of operational procedures to guarantee mission readiness for launches.
About the Role
In this position, you will be responsible for the end‑to‑end performance of all antenna systems. Your work will include routine and corrective maintenance, advanced technical diagnostics, managing vendor relationships, and ensuring all operational practices are clearly documented and consistently followed. Your expertise will be critical in achieving high system availability and supporting successful launch operations. The position will be based in Granton-on-Spey, with regular travel to Unst.
Responsibilities
- Operating, managing, and conducting preventative and corrective maintenance on antenna systems, ACUs, modems, spectrum analysers, radomes, and associated auxiliary equipment.
- Planning and coordinating maintenance activities with internal stakeholders, launch clients, ground station operators, hosted parties, and manufacturers.
- Leading on-site troubleshooting and fault resolution for fibre, RF links, and rack/cabinet equipment to minimise downtime through decisive technical action.
- Acting as the primary technical point of contact for manufacturers, suppliers, and launch clients, managing ticketing, spares, and repair workflows.
- Maintaining, updating, and implementing installation, maintenance, and safety documentation, as well as providing post-maintenance reporting.
- Supporting hardware procurement decisions and contributing technical input to scheduling and software development projects.
Qualifications
- Degree in engineering (aerospace, electrical, RF, telecom, or similar).
- 5+ years’ experience working with ground stations, antennas, or RF system operations.
- Strong RF knowledge: link budgets, EIRP, polarization, antenna patterns, performance metrics.
- Demonstrated L1–L3 troubleshooting across RF, fibre, and baseband systems.
- Experience working with vendors and handling on-site repair campaigns.
- Comfortable working in regulated environments; understanding of compliance.
- Strong organisational skills, clear communicator—both written and verbal.
- Willing and able to travel internationally.
- Fluent English (extra EU language is a bonus).
Ground Station System Engineer employer: SaxaVord Spaceport
Contact Detail:
SaxaVord Spaceport Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Ground Station System Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the aerospace and RF sectors on LinkedIn. Join relevant groups, attend webinars, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those technical interviews! Brush up on your RF knowledge and troubleshooting skills. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to simulate the experience. The more comfortable you are, the better you’ll perform!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your hands-on experience! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight specific projects where you’ve managed maintenance or troubleshooting. We want to hear about your successes and how you’ve made a difference in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us. Let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Ground Station System Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Technical Skills: Make sure to highlight your hands-on experience with ground stations and antennas in your application. We want to see how your technical expertise aligns with the role, so don’t hold back on those RF knowledge nuggets!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. We appreciate clarity, so use simple language to explain your past experiences and how they relate to the responsibilities of the Ground Station System Engineer position.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. We love seeing candidates who take the extra step to connect their background with our needs.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at SaxaVord Spaceport
✨Know Your Antenna Systems
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of antenna systems and RF operations. Be ready to discuss specific experiences you've had with maintenance and troubleshooting, especially L1–L3 issues. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory but have hands-on experience too.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to share examples of how you've tackled complex technical problems in the past. Think about times when you had to lead troubleshooting efforts or manage vendor relationships. Highlighting these experiences will demonstrate your ability to handle the responsibilities of the role effectively.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since this role involves liaising with various stakeholders, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Whether it’s discussing technical details or operational procedures, being a strong communicator will set you apart. Consider doing mock interviews to refine your delivery.
✨Understand Compliance and Safety Protocols
Familiarise yourself with compliance standards and safety documentation relevant to ground station operations. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve adhered to these in previous roles. This shows that you take safety seriously and understand the importance of regulations in a technical environment.