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Job Profiles

Engineers

Engineers design and build spacecraft systems, playing a role from the initial design to launch. The unique nature of each space mission requires a diverse team of skilled engineers, each with their own specific skill set, to turn ideas into reality.
ArticleCredit: NASA

What do engineers do?

Engineers, using maths and science together with creativity and innovation, design and maintain various spacecraft systems throughout the life of a mission.

An engineer’s responsibilities may include:

  • Designing components using computer-aided design (CAD) software and creating engineering drawings
  • Running simulations on components and subsystems to analyse their response to external conditions, such as the vibration of a rocket launch or extreme temperature variations in space
  • Selecting materials and investigating their properties
  • Software design and coding
  • Preparing cost budgets and estimates
  • Analysing data
  • Writing and presenting technical reports
  • Planning and conducting tests to verify component or subsystem conformance to requirements
  • Maintaining and improving products
  • Understanding and ensuring compliance with engineering standards and safety requirements
  • Managing project schedule, and budget and coordinating with customers, suppliers, and other sub-teams

Types of Engineers:

The most common engineering roles involved in space mission design are:

Assembly, Integration and Test (AIT) Engineer

AIT engineers ensure the spacecraft is ready for launch. They assemble and integrate all systems together and test them to make sure functional requirements are met. Their responsibilities also include reviewing documentation and identifying any issues that arise during assembly, testing and integration.

Control Engineer

Control engineers design and develop an Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS) that allows the control of the spacecraft’s attitude in orbit and detumbling after launch. They model and simulate the system to ensure reliable functionality and design or choose sensors and actuators required for AOCS/ADCS systems.

Communications Engineer

Communication engineers design and test the communication system which enables the communication between the spacecraft and the ground. They analyse link budgets and select components such as transmitters and receivers allowing them to send commands to the spacecraft and receive telemetry, for example, satellite imagery. Their role may also include developing data handling and storage systems for onboard the spacecraft and designing antennas.

Electrical Engineer

Electrical engineers design and implement the electrical systems and components of spacecraft. They create power budgets that ensure sufficient energy for all systems to function throughout the mission. Electrical engineers also focus on ensuring the reliability of electrical components, which are affected by radiation and other effects of space weather.

Flight Dynamics Engineer

Flight dynamics engineers are responsible for the motion and control of the spacecraft. They plan, analyze and monitor spacecraft trajectories and manoeuvres from launch, in-orbit operation, to re-entry. Their role involves spacecraft propulsion system development and testing, working on collision avoidance, and software development to operate the spacecraft.

Instrumentation Engineer

Instrumentation engineers design and test instruments used on spacecraft that measure various parameters in space, such as temperature, radiation, and pressure. By collaborating with scientists, they may be involved in designing onboard experiments and ensuring that the mission's scientific goals are met, or designing equipment used for testing on the ground.

Mission Concepts Engineer

Mission concepts engineers identify future opportunities and define potential space missions, for example, deep space exploration or Earth observation missions. Mission concept engineers create and present conceptual designs and write proposals. These proposals could be used to plan future missions for the company or could be submitted in response to a Request for Proposals from another company or a space agency.

Spacecraft Operations Engineer

Operations engineers monitor and control the spacecraft during the mission typically working in a mission operations centre. They schedule and send commands to the spacecraft and receive telemetry when communication is possible. They are also responsible for monitoring spacecraft status, by analysing received data.

Product Assurance Engineer

Product assurance engineers ensure the reliability and quality of spacecraft systems. They provide support to all engineering activities and ensure compliance with requirements and standards. Their responsibilities also include testing and inspection of components, materials and systems, conducting risk assessments and developing quality control processes.

Propulsion Engineer

Propulsion engineers design and implement spacecraft propulsion systems. This includes not only rocket engines used for launch, but also in-space propulsion, where different types of thrusters enable manoeuvring throughout the mission. They also perform testing and simulations to ensure reliable functionality in different conditions.

Radiation Engineer

Radiation engineers design spacecraft shielding to protect electronics and equipment from the harmful ionising radiation in space. They mitigate radiation risks, such as electronic component failure, and ensure the reliability of spacecraft operations. This involves analysing materials and components and their reaction to the radiation.

Robotics Engineer

Robotics engineers design and test robotic systems for tasks that are too risky or impossible for humans, for example, the automated capturing of space debris or the navigation of a rover on Mars. They combine mechanical, electrical and software engineering skills to create electromechanical systems. Their responsibilities may also include programming and controlling spacecraft tasks, such as sample collection.

Software Engineer

Software engineers design and develop code for spacecraft operations and control. They create and manage solutions enabling communications, navigation and manoeuvring, and are responsible for optimising and updating code onboard the spacecraft throughout the mission. They could also be responsible for developing the software that other engineers use to design and operate the spacecraft.

Systems Engineer

Systems engineers look at spacecraft holistically and coordinate the subsystems' technical design and development. They work with clients and the project manager to define spacecraft requirements. They ensure the subsystems fit and work together effectively and manage their integration, ensuring the spacecraft meets mission objectives.

Structural Engineer

Structural engineers design the structures, components, and assemblies of spacecraft. They also conduct structural analysis and simulations to ensure the spacecraft can withstand the vibrations during rocket launch and other loads encountered during the mission and predict structural performance under varying ambient conditions in space.

Thermal Engineer

Thermal engineers design and analyse spacecraft thermal control systems. They perform thermal modelling and analyse mission environments to design systems, such as insulation and heaters, that keep the spacecraft’s temperature within an acceptable range when exposed to the extreme heat or coldness in space. Their responsibilities also include planning and conducting thermal tests to verify the system and prevent potential issues.

What skills and qualifications are required for engineers?

Engineers will develop skills relevant to their job title, but in general, they are all expected to have:

  • A strong understanding of maths and physics
  • Strong problem-solving abilities
  • Excellent teamwork and communication skills
  • Ability to manage projects, create budgets, and meet deadlines
  • Proficiency in IT, including programming and the use of specific software

Most engineering jobs require the completion of a bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in engineering or a relevant scientific field. In some cases, further postgraduate qualifications may be necessary. Many engineering companies offer internships and graduate traineeships, which allow individuals to gain experience and training while at university or immediately after graduation. Universities offer a wide variety of engineering courses and most require A-level qualifications in mathematics and physics to get accepted.

An alternative route to becoming an engineer without going to university is through an engineering apprenticeship with a company. An apprenticeship allows one to work and gain hands-on experience while studying and getting paid. Entry may require A-levels or only GCSEs.

Additionally, it is possible to start as an engineering technician by completing a Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Higher National Diploma (HND) or foundation degree in an engineering subject, which takes 1-2 years to complete. After completion, one can become a fully qualified engineer through further on-the-job training or by enrolling in a bachelor’s degree programme.

Find out more:

More information on routes to becoming an engineer in the UK: How to become an engineer – a step-by-step guide
More about Aerospace Engineering: Aerospace Engineer
European Space Agency article about engineering: Engineering for space

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Posted on 07-02-2023
Author
Evelina Sakalauskaite
Content Team
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