Optical Systems Functional Manager in Guildford

The Optical Team is seeking a dynamic and motivated technical manager to help deliver current and future Optical Payloads. This role has a good blend of technical, management and strategic development, and requires close working with the other Optical Payload Teams (Optical Mechanical, Optical AIV & Imaging Electronics) as well as across wider Engineering and Projects to ensure overall product quality, delivery and resource management from bid phase through to in‑orbit operation phase.

Key Tasks

• Line manage Optical Systems engineers within the team (including all line management activities throughout the employee life cycle such as recruitment, performance, development & mentoring, and wellbeing).
• Ensure there is a clear understanding of the skillsets, capability, and resourcing required to deliver the project work, current and future.
• Ensure that the team’s current and forward planning of workload is fully scoped and managed through the resource planning tool, proactively resolving issues such as resource limitations, potential clashes, and identifying skill gaps for future recruitment.
• Ensure engineers follow the correct design, build and test procedures in accordance with SSTL engineering processes, guidelines and defined needs/requirements.
• Mentor and support the team to ensure they have the technical capabilities and skills to deliver the required quality.
• Support the team in understanding and applying processes and working practices correctly in project delivery.
• Measure the effectiveness of engineering processes and working practices, continuously identifying and implementing improvements.
• Ensure effective plans are in place to deliver all work and work packages, to the appropriate quality level, within project budget and schedule constraints.
• Document and communicate engineering processes and working practices across all functions and projects.
• Ensure peer reviews are in place across project work and are constantly monitored.
• Review the team’s technical work to ensure expected standards are met and consistency of technical output for all projects.
• Perform system‑level design of space and ground segments including requirements analysis, sensitivity analysis, mission analysis and design trade‑offs.
• Perform cost, risk, schedule and performance trades.
• Work with product owners to develop and deliver a strategic roadmap for Optical Payload products aligned with the wider company strategy.
• Provide input into the strategy for future Optical payloads in line with business roadmaps and innovation strategy.
• Work with Sales and Engineering teams in support of bid/tender activities and technical studies to generate technical solutions for a variety of customers.
• Build relationships and work closely with Project Managers, Heads of Engineering and other department managers.
• Keep abreast of your area of expertise in the engineering community, both within and outside the space sector, and identify technology benefits for SSTL’s products and services.
• Ensure team‑level policies and procedures are in place to allow consistent and coherent team output in line with SSTL’s engineering approach.
• Ensure the team has the skills required to deliver current and future projects in line with the business plan, and that there is a viable plan for retention, development and succession planning.

Qualifications Knowledge & Skills

• Degree level or equivalent in Physics or Engineering.
• Proven track record in Optical engineering.
• The ability to review and critique space optical instruments, balancing technical requirements with programmatic and budget constraints.
• Knowledge and experience in handling optical instrumentation, telescopes, spectrometers and focal plane assemblies.
• Excellent people‑management skills, able to motivate in a team‑oriented, collaborative environment and lead the team.
• Good team player; able to work in close‑knit teams with other sub‑systems through design, analysis, test and manufacture.
• Ability to think and operate in a forward‑looking and strategic manner, and to deal with day‑to‑day problems.
• Be able to communicate clearly and effectively, and influence and persuade others.
• Well‑organised; good understanding of project/time‑management skills, able to resolve conflicting priorities and demands within a pressurised environment.
• Desire to support and guide others.
• Ability to plan and manage own work.
• Ability to delegate work and empower team members if needed.
• Demonstrate flexibility to change plans and priorities based on changing project and market needs.
• Results‑focused; able to take responsibility and commitment to deliver.
• Pro‑active and flexible with a can‑do attitude.
• Proficient in all MS Office packages and knowledge of Microsoft Project.
• Ability to interface with customers and technical representatives.

Location

SSTL prides itself on being a super flexible company. The role is based in our Head Office in Guildford, but we fully support hybrid working and a range of flexible working options.