At a Glance
- Tasks: Analyse orbital behaviour and provide insights to enhance satellite operations.
- Company: Join Shield Space, a pioneering UK start-up in orbital autonomy.
- Benefits: Competitive day rate of up to £500 and potential for longer-term work.
- Other info: Work with a high-skill engineering team during a key development phase.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on next-gen space technology and operations.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in astrophysics or related field; experience in SDA and orbital mechanics.
The predicted salary is between 49500 - 60500 £ per year.
Shield Space is seeking a Space Domain Awareness Specialist to provide short-term astrodynamics and SDA expertise to our engineering team. This 3 month contractor role is ideal for someone with deep experience analysing orbital behaviour, interpreting SSA data, and understanding how satellites manoeuvre, interact, and deviate from expected patterns. Your insights will be used directly by our software and systems engineers to validate models, strengthen analytical assumptions, and ensure that the outputs we build reflect real-world orbital dynamics.
You will work closely with our technical leads, providing domain-expert interpretation of SDA and orbital data sources, advising on behaviour signatures, and helping the team build a robust analytical foundation for our next development cycle. This is a focused, high-impact engagement, where your expertise will meaningfully influence how our products mature in the coming months.
Responsibilities and Qualifications
- Analyse orbital trajectories, manoeuvre patterns, and behaviour signatures, advising on their implications for modelling and data fusion
- Interpret multi-source SDA and ISR datasets, including orbital elements, EO observations, and commercial SSA feeds
- Support the validation of analytical models, assumptions, and behavioural indicators
- Produce concise technical assessments for internal engineering and leadership teams
- Provide day-to-day technical guidance to software developers to ensure analytical outputs remain aligned with domain reality
- Help shape internal understanding of SDA data constraints, uncertainty, and interpretation limits
Minimum bachelor’s degree in astrophysics, astrodynamics, orbital mechanics, or a closely related field. Demonstrable experience in SDA, orbital mechanics, satellite-behaviour analysis, or ISR exploitation. Hands-on experience with orbital-analysis tools such as STK, GMAT or Python-based modelling systems. Strong ability to interpret incomplete or ambiguous orbital data and form defensible conclusions. Clear communicator able to translate complex behaviours to non-specialists. Eligible for BPSS clearance. Experience in civil, commercial, or Defence space-operations environments. Python experience for analytical workflow automation. Familiarity with behavioural modelling, anomaly detection, or RPO-related dynamics.
Day rate up to £500/day. Work directly with a high-skill engineering team during a key development phase. Influence how SDA concepts are operationalised in next-generation autonomy architectures. Opportunity for follow-on consulting or longer-term work depending on programme needs.
About Shield Space
Shield Space is a UK-founded orbital autonomy start-up developing sovereign, AI-enabled systems for secure and resilient space operations. Having recently secured significant investment we are looking to onboard the founding technical team to turn our vision into reality. Drawing on heritage from UK Space Command and beyond, we will build vision-based guidance and decision systems that enable small satellites to act independently in orbit even under actively communications-denied conditions. Our mission is to establish the UK as a leader in autonomous orbital defence and in-orbit servicing capability.
How to Apply
To apply, please send your CV to gritchie@shieldspace.co.uk along with a short 1–2 paragraph ‘Why Me’ statement outlining your background in SDA or orbital-behaviour analysis.
Space Domain Awareness Specialist in Lincoln employer: SHIELD SPACE
At Shield Space, we pride ourselves on being an innovative employer at the forefront of orbital autonomy technology. Our collaborative work culture fosters creativity and technical excellence, providing employees with unique opportunities to influence cutting-edge projects in a rapidly evolving field. With a focus on professional growth and the potential for long-term engagement, joining our team means contributing to meaningful advancements in space operations while working alongside a highly skilled engineering team.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Space Domain Awareness Specialist in Lincoln
✨Tap into Aerospace Communities
Join aerospace engineering forums and social media groups. These spaces are often buzzing with opportunities, and you'll get to know industry pros who can give insider tips on temporary roles at places like SHIELD SPACE.
✨Be Ready for Seasonal Hiring
Keep an eye out for seasonal hiring windows when big projects ramp up. Many companies in aerospace will bring in temporary staff for peak times, so it’s worth checking back regularly for opportunities at places like SHIELD SPACE.
✨Showcase Your Skills at Events
Attend industry events or job fairs focused on aerospace; these can be great places to meet recruiters and hiring managers face-to-face. Bring your A-game, and don’t hesitate to mention your interest in temporary positions.
✨Apply through Our Website
When you find temp roles listed on our website, apply directly! It shows you're genuinely interested in the position at SHIELD SPACE and makes it easier for their team to spot your application.
We think you need these skills to ace Space Domain Awareness Specialist in Lincoln
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Relevant Projects:When applying for a temporary role in aerospace engineering, make sure to highlight any relevant projects you've worked on. Include details about your role, the technologies or methodologies used, and the impact of your work. This not only demonstrates your hands-on experience but also your understanding of the field.
Tailor Your CV to Engineering Standards:Your CV should follow industry conventions, so make sure it's structured to showcase your technical skills, like CAD software or simulation tools. Also, include any certifications relevant to aerospace engineering, as these can make a strong impression on SHIELD SPACE.
Inject Some Personality into Your Cover Letter:Since this is a temporary role, we want to see why you're excited about this opportunity with SHIELD SPACE. Let your personality shine through your cover letter, perhaps by discussing why aerospace engineering fascinates you or sharing a project that ignited your passion. We want to see your motivation and enthusiasm!
Highlight Teamwork and Communication Skills:Aerospace engineering often involves collaboration, so be sure to showcase your teamwork and communication skills in your written application. Use examples that demonstrate how you've effectively worked with others, especially in high-pressure situations, as this will resonate well with SHIELD SPACE.
How to prepare for a job interview at SHIELD SPACE
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Given you're aiming for a role in aerospace engineering, make sure you’re clear on key principles relevant to the role. Expect to tackle questions about materials, aerodynamics, and engineering principles. Revisit any projects or concepts you’ve studied, especially those that highlight problem-solving in design processes.
✨Showcase Relevant Projects in Your Portfolio
Even for a temporary role, it's crucial to present any relevant aerospace projects you’ve worked on. We should be ready to discuss the tools you used, the methodology behind your designs, and the specific outcomes. It's your chance to showcase not just your skills but also your passion for engineering.
✨Understand the Temporary Nature of the Role
Since this is a temporary position, we want to be prepared to discuss how we can quickly add value to the team. Be ready to articulate what you can bring to the company during this short-term engagement and show eagerness to learn and adapt quickly within the environment at SHIELD SPACE.
✨Prepare for Practical Technical Assessments
Expect potential technical assessments where you might need to solve engineering problems or even design a small project on the spot. We should practice common scenarios that could arise in aerospace to demonstrate our hands-on ability, whether it's through CAD software or analytical thinking.
