Research Engineer - Radiation Effects on Electronics in Plymouth

Company Overview

Space Radiation Services was established three years ago and is headquartered in the UK and has a presence in the US. Our main business is engineering consulting and research for space systems, focused on radiation testing, analysis and design. We have supported over 50 companies across ten countries, ranging from sub-system/component suppliers up to satellite manufacturers and constellation providers. Our goal is to ensure our clients’ hardware survives the radiation environments of space. We do this through a mixture of analysis, desk based research, testing, and the implementation of changes to both electrical and software designs.

Job Summary

We are looking for the right person who can learn and contribute rather than focusing on a predefined level of experience or seniority. Thus, we offer a flexible role for a Research Engineer with focus on Radiation Effects on Electronics, from entry level to director level. The role involves supporting clients with analysis, experiment/test development, testing and design applications of electronics for space. Your key contributions will be to independently analyse radiation effects on electronic parts and systems, interpret radiation environments and test data, and communicate clear conclusions through high-quality technical reporting. You will help shape how devices are assessed and qualified for use in space, drawing on existing data, modelling, and targeted testing where appropriate. This role suits a physicist or engineer with research experience and strong technical writing skills, who wants to move into applied space work.

Applicants must be British Citizens due to work in the defence industry and to comply with export control regulations. The role can be part-time, full-time, or full-time with compressed hours to help with childcare etc.

Remote Work: This role is fully remote with flexibility of work hours. However, we do require the availability to work late two days per week to accommodate meeting schedules of international customers.

International Travel: Some international travel for testing purposes is required, likely to be in the range of 2 - 4 weeks per year (negotiable).

Competitive Compensation: We ensure that your compensation will be commensurate with your level of experience.

Responsibilities

• Perform desk-based research into radiation effects mechanisms, trends, and best practices for electronic parts and systems.
• Interpret experimental radiation test data, and draw conclusions.
• Work with customers to define test objectives and interpret results.
• Develop technically defensible conclusions where data is limited, uncertain, or incomplete.
• Produce clear, well-structured technical reports, summaries, and recommendations for customers.
• Maintain documentation and contribute to test methods.
• Other responsibilities which can be learnt on the job:

• Evaluating customer designs and components, developing approaches for improvements such as part substitutions, design changes and mitigations.
• Research into the radiation effects on similar components or systems to develop an understanding of radiation effects and potential best practice.
• Running on-orbit radiation simulations to predict radiation effects on hardware.
• Run radiation transport codes to verify test setups and evaluate hardware.

Experience and Skills

• 2 years of industry experience as an Electrical Engineer, Physicist, or other related discipline.
• 4 years experience in roles (can include PhD) that require proficiency in technical writing.
• Experience conducting self-driven research.
• Ability to manage multiple projects with competing priorities.
• Independent and proactive, with an ability to learn new skills on the job.
• Able to travel internationally for beamline campaigns (typically 2 - 6 days at a time).
• Desirable but not required:

• Prior experience in the space industry.
• Understanding of space qualification standards.
• Industry experience as an Electrical Engineer.
• Hands-on experience at a beamline or accelerator facility.
• Experience radiation testing semiconductor devices.
• Experience using radiation transport codes.