Chief Data Engineer

SALARY: £80,000 - £105,000 depending on experience

Who are you?

You will have a demonstrated history of designing, setting up, and implementing data acquisition, handling, and archiving pipelines for sensors that create large amounts of data (i.e., imagers, radars). Ideally, this will include work with satellite data, but it isn't crucial. You'll possess expertise in modern software development techniques (i.e., continuous integration and continuous deployment) for a variety of target architectures, including at least one cloud computing system (i.e., AWS). Your experience will include creating software to interface with commercial software (like ground stations, orbit prediction code, etc.), and developing web-based interfaces and APIs for data access (i.e., using openAPI). You'll be an autonomous starter comfortable in a high-paced environment with a calm and professional approach to your work. The ideal candidate will take pride in their work and maintain a professional demeanor with clients, suppliers, and partners.

Experience in most of the following areas is required:

• Developing and implementing data pipelines
• Applying machine learning and other statistical methods to analyze data Integrating software tools as part of larger analysis systems
• Creating data archiving architecture and processing chains in a cloud environment (e.g., AWS, Azure)
• Developing user interfaces and APIs to provide access to data and processing capability
• Working from mission level requirements to derive functional requirements for data systems
• Working with/leading a multidisciplinary team to design, develop and/or deliver systems
• Planning, managing, and reporting progress on complex systems to internal and customer stakeholders
• Working with or providing services to controlled performance levels (KPIs or SLAs).

Skills (note an applicant is not expected to have all the skills below, but a level of experience/competence that would allow them to become proficient is required):

• A good degree or equivalent in Engineering, Physics, Maths, or CompSci
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with customers and colleagues
• Proficiency in statistical techniques such as hypothesis testing, regression analysis, and experimental design to extract insights from data.
• Ability to work with large, complex datasets, clean and pre-process data, and ensure data quality
• Skilled in at least one scripting language (e.g., Python, Octave)
• Skilled with at least one programming language (e.g., C, C++, Java)
• Skilled with the development and management of APIs (i.e., OpenAPI) and associated development tools (e.g., Postman)
• Skilled with Linux, Windows, and at least one cloud environment (e.g., AWS, Azure)
• Proficiency in SQL for querying databases and extracting data, and experience in data wrangling techniques to transform, reshape and store data (e.g., HDF5, dask/zarr)
• Familiarity with serverless deployment of software tools (e.g., Lambda)
• Ability to effectively communicate insights by creating visually appealing and interactive visualizations and dashboards using tools like Matplotlib, Grafana, plotly/dash
• Familiarity with machine learning methods including classification, regression, clustering, and deep learning, and experience with frameworks like scikit-learn, TensorFlow, or PyTorch

What will you be doing here?

Working within a team of technical specialists, you will be responsible for developing, delivering, and maintaining a wide range of data solutions and services for various space missions. While the primary responsibility of the role is in data systems delivery, the role might require some bid support and other reasonable responsibilities as required by the business. You will be encouraged to maintain a current interest in space industry developments.

Responsibilities will include:

• Developing, building and testing data architectures and software to meet company and customer requirements
• Collaboration with project managers to provide inputs to schedules; risk management plans; budget management and other project artifacts as required
• Working closely with the operations team and service manager(s) to understand the operational impact of any designs, implementations or changes
• Coordinating with AIT and systems engineers to ensure commonality between ground test and operational data pipelines
• Derivation, management, and execution of Validation and Verification activities
• Interacting with customers and suppliers
• Specifying, developing, and testing scripts and code elements to support various elements of the ground segment architecture and operational services running on it
• Monitoring system performance and proposing approaches for maintenance and improvement
• Supporting operational activities such as spacecraft commissioning and on ground testing

About In-Space

In-Space Missions (ISM) are world-class experts who design, build, and operate space missions for worldwide customers from our UK site. We also provide 'Space as a Service' by carrying customer payloads on our spacecraft and by allowing customers to upload digital applications to work on our hardware. ISM was established in 2015 and has expanded to have approximately 80 staff. The company was bought by BAE Systems in 2021 but continues to run as a separate business with our offices and satellite cleanrooms situated in Alton, Hampshire in the UK.

Culture

We have a tight-knit and supportive team, with diversity and inclusion being as a vital key to our success. Even though we are aiming to expand our team rapidly, we are committed about keeping our small company ethos; something at our culture's core. We welcome various backgrounds, skills, perspectives, and life experiences. Here at In-Space Missions, we are acknowledging Hybrid Working. Wherever achievable, we provide flexible working arrangements that enable us to balance our work and personal life more effectively.

What can we provide you?

• 30 days of holiday per year plus bank holidays
• Flexible working
• 10% Non-Contributory pension