Systems Engineer – Glasgow

About this role:

The Systems Engineer plays a central role in the design, integration, and delivery of AAC Clyde Space’s spacecraft platforms and missions.

They apply systems thinking to ensure every mission element, from requirements and architecture to verification and in-orbit operations, functions cohesively to meet technical, schedule, and commercial objectives.

Working across disciplines, the Systems Engineer provides technical leadership, defines system-level solutions, and manages interfaces between subsystems, payloads, and ground segments. They ensure design integrity through the full mission lifecycle, from concept definition to flight delivery and operations support.

The purpose of the role is to translate mission objectives into robust, verifiable system designs, enabling the delivery of reliable and high-performance small satellite missions that advance AAC Clyde Space’s vision of improving life on Earth through data from space.

We are open to hybrid working for this role.  Please note that in future, you may be required to complete a Basic Disclosure check (https://www.mygov.scot/apply-for-level-1-disclosure)

Key Responsibilities:

• Define, manage, and verify system and mission requirements, ensuring traceability and compliance across all project phases.
• Lead or contribute to spacecraft design and architecture, including the development of system-level architectures, CONOPS, and interface definitions.
• Conduct system budget analysis (mass, power, data, delta-V, RF link) to ensure spacecraft performance aligns with mission objectives.
• Plan and coordinate system verification and validation (V&V) activities, including test planning, acceptance criteria, and verification methods.
• Support mission and constellation analysis, performing orbital and performance studies using tools such as STK or equivalent.
• Manage interface control across platform–payload, space–ground, and launch interfaces.
• Identify and mitigate technical risks through structured risk management and trade-off analysis.
• Apply and promote a systems engineering mindset, ensuring designs balance performance, risk, cost, and schedule.
• Technical input to bid and proposal work, supporting business growth.

Skills required:

• Relevant degree or equivalent work experience
• Evident industry experience of applying systems engineering to system design and architecture.
• Proven experience applying systems engineering to the development and delivery of complex technical systems
• Requirements management and verification (e.g., Valispace, DOORS, Jama).
• Experience in System budget analysis (mass, power, link, thermal).
• Interface control and ICD management.
• Test planning and AIT support.
• Risk management and trade-off analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to apply systems engineering principles to complex, multi-disciplinary projects.
• Collaborating effectively across multidisciplinary teams, fostering a shared sense of mission success.
• Take ownership of complex challenges and driving them to resolution with integrity and professionalism.
• Demonstrates sound judgement and resilience in dynamic, time-constrained environments.
• Competent IT skills including Microsoft software.
• Proficient in English, both verbally and written

Skills desired:

• Previous experience in space, aerospace, or a high-reliability domain.
• Previous experience working with small/medium sized companies

ABOUT AAC CLYDE SPACE

AAC Clyde Space, a leading New Space company, specialises in small satellite technologies and services that enable businesses, governments, and educational organisations to access high-quality, timely data from space. This data has a vast range of applications, from weather forecasting to precision farming to environmental monitoring, and is essential to improving our quality of life on Earth.

Our growing capabilities bring together three divisions:

• Space Data as a Service – delivering data from space directly to customers
• Space missions – turnkey solutions that empower customers to streamline their space missions
• Space products and components – a full range of off-the-shelf and tailor-made subsystems, components, and sensors

AAC Clyde Space aims to become a world leader in commercial small satellites and services from space, applying advances in its technology to tackle global challenges and improve our life on Earth.

Some of our clients include Horizon Technologies, Orbcomm, OHB Sweden, Intuitive Machines, Orbital Micro Systems, the United States Airforce Academy, UK Space Agency, European Space Agency and NASA.

AAC Clyde Space Group consists of the parent company AAC Clyde Space AB (publ) and subsidiaries in Sweden, the UK, the Netherlands, South Africa and the USA.  Our main operations are in these five countries, with partner networks in Japan and South Korea.

AAC Clyde Space’s share is traded on the Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market.

Data Protection Policy

As part of our recruitment process, we collect and process personal data relating to job applicants. We are committed to being transparent about how we collect and use this data, please click here to see our job applicant privacy notice.

Right to Work

AAC Clyde Space has a legal responsibility to ensure that all its employees have the legal right to live and work in the EU or the country in which they plan to work. Therefore, if you are made an offer of employment, this will be subject to AAC Clyde Space verifying that you are eligible to work in that country before you start work.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We aim to create a positive recruitment and selection experience across every part of our business. The company is committed to handling applications to a consistently high standard and all candidates with dignity and respect. Those involved in the recruitment and selection process will act with integrity, objectivity and professionalism.   We are committed to equal opportunities for all and to have diversity reflected within our global workforce. We believe its diversity and inclusion will allow for greater creativity and innovation to help AAC Clyde Space Group deliver the vision to help improve life on earth.

Openness to Flexible Working

We recognise work-life balance is important so we are open to discussions around flexible working, depending on the nature of the role and business needs.  If you would like to know more, please ask the Hiring Manager during any recruitment process that you may be involved in.