Satellites, launch and the data they produce
The UK space sector designs and builds satellites, runs the ground systems that control them and turns what they see into data for navigation, weather and Earth observation. The industry employed about 52,000 people directly in 2021/22, the latest figure we could verify, across 1,765 organisations.
Very few jobs are astronaut jobs. Most are engineering, software, data and project roles in offices, clean rooms and test sites, often for government or defence customers. There is no single route in, so placements and hands-on projects count for a lot.
Systems Engineer
Propulsion Engineer
Structures and Thermal Engineer
Avionics and Software Engineer
Mission Operations Engineer
Earth Observation Analyst
Launch Engineer
Turns mission needs into requirements and keeps every subsystem fitting together.
Designs and tests thrusters and engines for launch vehicles and spacecraft.
Makes sure a spacecraft survives launch loads and swings between extreme heat and cold.
Writes and tests the flight software and electronics that run onboard.
Flies satellites from the ground and handles anomalies when they happen.
Turns satellite imagery and data into answers for climate, farming and defence customers.
Integrates payloads with rockets and runs the checks before launch.
Satellite builders, prime contractors
Launch and in-space propulsion firms
Satellite manufacturers, research labs
Satellite and payload companies
Satellite operators, ground segment firms
Data and analytics companies
Launch providers, spaceport operators
Check overnight telemetry from the test rig and flag anything out of tolerance.
Design review with the thermal and power teams on a changed component.
Lunch, then update the requirements log with what the review decided.
Run a vibration or thermal-vacuum test in the cleanroom.
Write up results for the customer and plan tomorrow's tests.
Aerospace, physics, electronic engineering or computer science. Most engineers come this way. Add a satellite or rocketry project.
Paid work plus a part-time degree over about four to six years. Fewer places than graduate roles, so apply early.
Placements, university space societies and CubeSat or rocketry projects are what employers screen for.
Some roles need security clearance, and it can take months. Ask in your first interview.
Placements and projects help a lot, because employers screen for them. Start one in your first year.
SPIN was replaced for 2026 by Skills for Space, so older advice about it is out of date.
Live space and aerospace graduate schemes and apprenticeships, updated every 3 hours.
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