Learn more about an exciting journey into space engineering with the Level 6 Space Systems Engineering Apprenticeship. With this program you can play a key role in designing, manufacturing, and testing advanced space equipment and ground support systems. Read on to find out more about the roles and responsibilities, progression routes and assessment methods for this apprenticeship.
- Contents:
- Job summary
- Job requirements
- Duties
- Progression Route
- Assessment methods
Job Summary: Space Systems Engineering
This apprenticeship involves taking a leading role in the design, manufacturing and testing of complex, high value space hardware and ground support equipment.
This occupation operates within the space industry, mainly in the early stages of spacecraft production known as ‘upstream’ manufacturing. The main tasks involve designing and creating spacecraft and their components. You are also responsible for producing, operating, and maintaining specialised ground support equipment. This equipment is crucial for facilitating the development and testing of satellites and space technologies before their launch.
Space Systems Engineers are knowledgeable in engineering fields and mechanical disciplines. While you may have a broad understanding of these areas, you can typically specialise in one or more specific areas.
Job Requirements
Space Systems Engineers work in secure and controlled environments, workshops and development areas. You may have to work at ground level and high level on walkways, and can also work in regular offices. These environments can involve working with high vacuum facilities and high pressure gas and fluid delivery systems.
Their tasks include addressing customer and mission requirements, conducting research and development, providing technical support, and taking on leadership roles to ensure the successful execution of space-related projects. You are required to build and manage relationships with many stakeholders, such as project managers, engineering team members, technical specialists and other system engineers. You may also interact with external stakeholders like suppliers and customers.
You may have to carry out work in compliance with standards imposed by key customers such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) or the European Cooperation for Space Standardization (ECSS). It is also very important that you adhere to health and safety requirements and statutory regulations.
Duties: Space Systems Engineering
Requirements and Design: Define requirements and develop design and verification methods for spacecraft subsystems, including power, propulsion, attitude control, communications, and thermal control.
Materials Selection: Choose suitable techniques, components, and materials for the mission’s unique environment, such as vacuum-compatible materials and radiation-resistant electronic components.
Engineering Support: Provide engineering assistance for mission-specific and research projects, contributing insights on factors like vibration test levels and data interpretation.
Mission Expertise: Offer expertise during the launch and early mission phases.
Integration and Testing: Provide technical leadership and support for integration and testing across a range of projects.
System Trade-offs: Perform trade-offs at the system level, coordinating inputs from various disciplines to evaluate solutions and design changes.
Requirements Management: Ensure all requirements are addressed during project reviews and milestones.
Test Planning: Develop test plans and procedures, compile test reports, and manage test data for subsystem and spacecraft designs.
Documentation Management: Oversee technical and project documentation for control, monitoring, verification, and reporting during space projects.
Project Support: Assist project managers in risk assessments, budget formulation, and scheduling.
Resource Oversight: Manage resource budgets and margins within the project, considering mass, power, and volume.
Technical Solutions: Identify technical solutions for project-specific designs, materials, and manufacturing processes.
Team Leadership: Lead technical teams within projects, including line management of team members.
Project Coordination: Contribute to project management by coordinating technical staff allocation and working with project managers and lead systems engineers to ensure successful project delivery
Example progression Route:
- Aerospace Engineer (degree)
- Aerospace software development engineer (degree)
- Systems engineer (degree)
- Post graduate engineer
Assessment methods:
One piece of evidence will be a project with a report. The title and scope of this will be agreed at gateway. You will need to prepare and give a presentation to an assessor in a slide format, and any supporting documentation should be submitted at the same time. You will also be required to answer at least 5 questions about the project and presentation. The typical duration of this apprenticeship is 48 months.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a Level 6 space systems engineer apprenticeship is a great opportunity for you to demonstrate technical expertise, design and analysis skills, project management as well as essential communication and collaboration skills.
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