Spaceflight Operations Engineer

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Fixed Term Contract: End Date: 12 months from start date

Welsh Language: Not Applicable

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The role holder will join the Atmospheric Research and Space Exploration group at the Open University (OU), a research group consisting of over 30 dynamic and diverse people led by the Professor of Planetary Science, working towards a common purpose of exploring the Mars, Venus and Jupiter using spaceflight instrumentation, and analysing the returned data to better understand the universe we live in. The group have a sustained involvement in a range of missions, including a leading role in the NOMAD spectrometer and the CaSSIS stereo camera aboard the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter mission, the JANUS camera on the JUICE mission and through the ESA Phase A study for a High-resolution Imager for Mars Exploration (HiRIME).

This post relates to the operation planning and observation strategy across the portfolio of spaceflight instruments that the group is involved with, including live operations for the NOMAD and CaSSIS instruments, supporting the development of the future operations strategy for the JANUS instrument on JUICE and defining the operational concept for HiRIME. The applicant will also potentially have the option to interact and support related activities for the PanCam camera on the Rosalind Franklin rover.

The role holder will play a central role in the scientific and technical success of the group's spaceflight instrument involvements. This includes planning and optimising observations, analysing orbital data, and processing returned science data for the international science team. They will contribute to the design of instrument performance models, validate them through testing, and optimise operational procedures to meet demanding scientific and engineering challenges. Alongside producing technical documentation and reports, the post holder will also contribute to the development of operational strategies that will inform not only current activities but also the planning of future planetary missions.

The role holder will have the opportunity to interact with the staff at the European Space Agency, NASA, and industrial partners. Within the OU, the role holder will interact between the Atmospheric Research and Space Exploration group and Centre for Electronic Imaging to enable new collaborative spaceflight instrumentation for the future.

This is a 12 month Fixed Term Contract role, ending 12 months from the successful candidates start date.

To assist in implementing the successful operation of spaceflight instruments by:

• Determining the optimum instrument configuration to achieve the overall science objectives
• Configuring telecommands for uplink to the spacecraft to implement observations
• Processing data returned from science instruments for analysis by the science team
• Analysing the predicted spacecraft orbit over the mission lifetime
• Planning future observation requirements
• Create and maintain technical documentation relating to spaceflight instrument planning and operations

To design theoretical models of operation of spaceflight instruments by:

• Assessing and judging the scientific and engineering challenges
• Applying specialist scientific and/or technical knowledge to propose and document solutions to the challenges
• Iterating proposed designs with research team members to arrive at an optimal design solution
• Applying the relevant design standards and working practices to designs.

To validate the operation of instrument models by:

• Devising and conducting appropriate experiments and tests
• Analysing and presenting the data obtained
• Refining and optimising the operational procedure
• Iterating findings from previous investigations and performing revised tests as appropriate
• Prepare test results reports.

All staff are expected to:

• Co-operate with the Open University in ensuring as far as is necessary, that Statutory Requirements, Codes of Practice, University Policies and School Health and Safety arrangements are complied with.
• Have a strong commitment to the principles and practice of equality and diversity.

• Educated to at least degree level in a physical sciences or computing subject, or other closely related discipline/equivalent experience
• Excellent knowledge and experience of numerical coding languages
• Significant experience in the use of Python
• Experience in processing and manipulating large data sets
• Demonstrated logical and scientifically rigorous approach to work
• Evidenced ability to solve problems and come up with new ideas
• Demonstrated ability to plan and prioritize own workload and delivery in a timely manner
• Experience in the use of Fortran, Interactive Data Language (IDL), MATLAB or equivalent programming tools
• Knowledge of use of Spacecraft, Planet, Instrument, C-matrix, Events observation geometry information system ( SPICE) kernels for orbit analysis
• Knowledge of optical spectrometer and imager operating principles
• Experience of telecommand generation and operations procedures for spaceflight instruments
• Experience in PDS (or equivalent) data archiving

If you have any questions, or need support or adjustments relating to your application, the recruitment process, or the role, please contact us on or email quoting the advert reference number.

At The Open University, we offer a range of benefits to recognise and reward great work, alongside policies and flexible working that contribute towards a great work life balance. Get all the details of what benefits we offer by visiting our Staff Benefits page (clicking this link will open a new window).

We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it's a job share, part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you.

Interviews are likely to take place across the 18 & 19 November

We may close this job advert earlier than the published closing date where a satisfactory number of applications are received. We would therefore encourage early applications.

To apply for this role please submit the following document(s):

• CV
• Supporting statement of no more than 1000 words outlining how you meet the essential criteria for this role.

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The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential. We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength.We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.