Spacecraft Tracking and Guidance Engineer in Lincoln

Shield Space is seeking a skilled and driven Spacecraft Tracking and Guidance Engineer to join our technical team developing the UK’s next generation of autonomous space systems for rendezvous and proximity operations. This role focuses on the development of precision tracking and guidance software that allows spacecraft to track and maintain stable alignment with objects in orbit during autonomous operations. Achieving this capability requires highly accurate prediction, estimation and control algorithms capable of operating in dynamic orbital environments. Working directly with the CTO and autonomy engineering team, you will contribute to the design, integration and validation of spacecraft tracking and guidance systems across simulation, navigation and mission software environments. The role combines hands-on algorithm development with systems-level engineering, bringing together sensor data, orbital dynamics and control logic into a coherent autonomy stack. Having recently secured its first major investment, Shield Space is expanding its engineering capability to support upcoming flight demonstrations and international collaborations. This position offers the chance to join the company at a formative stage, helping develop the software systems that will underpin the next generation of autonomous spacecraft operations.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement algorithms for spacecraft tracking and guidance during autonomous rendezvous and proximity operations.
• Develop predictive tracking algorithms capable of estimating the motion of objects in orbit using sensor and navigation data.
• Design software that converts tracking information into guidance commands for spacecraft control systems.
• Develop simulation campaigns and test frameworks to evaluate tracking and guidance performance across representative orbital conditions.
• Produce and maintain high-quality technical documentation including interface definitions, algorithm specifications and verification reports.

Essential Skills

• Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, Physics, Computer Science or a closely related technical discipline.
• 2–5 years of experience developing tracking, guidance or control algorithms for aerospace, robotics or autonomous systems.
• Strong understanding of dynamic systems, state estimation or predictive tracking methods.
• Proficiency with Python and C++ in high-performance or embedded environments.
• Experience with simulation tools such as Ansys STK, GMAT, Gazebo or equivalent aerospace or robotics simulators.
• Understanding of spacecraft dynamics, orbital mechanics or relative motion.
• Ability to work effectively in a small, fast-paced technical team.
• Eligibility to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC).

Desirable Skills

• Experience with Kalman filtering, sensor fusion or state estimation techniques.
• Experience with spacecraft attitude control or precision pointing systems.
• Experience with computer vision or optical tracking systems.
• Experience with hardware-in-the-loop testing.
• Experience working on space, robotics or defence technology programmes.
• Experience contributing to early-stage startups or R&D programmes.

Benefits

• Starting salary: £60,000
• Competitive options package
• 33 days holiday inc. bank holidays
• Hybrid working around core hours with office and R&D facilities in Lincolnshire