An exciting opportunity for an experienced Systems Engineer to join an international, multicultural organisation and contribute to the construction of computing infrastructure for two of the largest radio telescope arrays in the world.
Job Location: Cheshire, UK (Head Office)
Area / Department: Engineering
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract
Salary: £60,000 – £70,000 depending on experience plus excellent benefits
Closing Date: 24/09/2025
Ref No: 10369
The Role
We are looking for an experienced Systems Engineer with knowledge of Networks to help deliver two next generation
radio telescopes – one being built in South Africa, and one in Australia. This Network for each telescope will be used to
transport the monitoring and control data, and science data, across the telescope.
This person will be part of a cross-functional team responsible for delivering all the networking and compute hardware
for both telescopes, and will work closely with project managers, systems engineers, technical specialists and suppliers.
They will be responsible for the systems engineering activities pertaining to the procurement, installation and testing for
a range of COTS-based clusters and storage systems.
The role will report to the Head of Systems Engineering.
This role is based at the SKAO Headquarters at Jodrell Bank, Cheshire, UK and is a three year fixed term contract.
SKAO is committed to providing an inclusive and flexible working environment, meeting the requests of our Colleagues
whilst also fulfilling the needs and objectives of the Observatory.
There may be occasions where this role requires the post holder to work across different time zones and, in line with
SKAO policy, flexible working hours will be supported in agreement with the line manager
Key Responsibilities, Accountabilities and Duties
Write technical specifications as input to suppliers.
Write Interface Control Documents (ICDs) between network equipment and other sub-systems and host buildings.
Manage configuration and baselines of technical documentation.
Capture and diagram architecture as needed to guide integration efforts.
Lead reviews to assess compliance of the submitted design against specifications, ICDs.
Define how the system will be verified.
Lead reviews of integration and test results.
Track verification of the as-delivered hardware.
Support configuration of as-built and product documentation.
Travel locally and internationally several times per year, as required.
Mandatory Knowledge, Skills and Experience
University degree in Engineering, Telecommunications or Physics, or equivalent experience.
Substantial experience working as a systems engineer in complex, large-scale, technology systems.
Experience working as a systems engineer during the procurement, construction, and verification stages of a project.
Excellent organisational, time management and prioritising skills.
Good communication skills with the ability to present to international and other forums.
Ability to build good and flexible working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Experience with design, scaling, integration, testing and maintenance of Networks.
Recognised systems engineering certification.
Familiar with Requirements Management Tools such as Jama.
Knowledge of project management.
At the SKAO we are coordinating a global effort to deliver one of the largest science facilities on the planet. The SKAO
telescopes will be next-generation instruments that will help to answer key questions in astrophysics, drive technological
innovation and support human capital development.
More than a dozen partner countries and over a thousand scientists and engineers around the world are already on
board, making the SKA project an international collaboration like no other, and one of the most ambitious science and
engineering endeavours of the 21st century.
Headquartered in the UK, with telescope sites in Australia and South Africa, the SKAO will be one observatory operating
two telescopes, an endeavour spanning three continents. Multinational by design, in early 2021 the SKAO became an
intergovernmental organisation, one of only a select handful of science infrastructures to do so worldwide.
Our Global HQ is located near the buzzing city of Manchester at the historic Jodrell Bank Observatory, a UNESCO
World Heritage site located in the Cheshire countryside. It is home to a rapidly expanding international team of more
than a hundred, working in a highly collaborative and inclusive way, in coordination with SKAO teams in Australia and
South Africa as part of a global astronomy and engineering community.
Being part of Team SKA means contributing to something extraordinary: a uniquely exciting project to advance human
knowledge that will last for decades. In return, we offer a diverse multicultural working environment, 30 days annual
leave plus public holidays, a generous pension scheme, visa and support with relocation (if applicable), regular social
events, a family-friendly environment and much more. Come and join us!
Equality Diversity and Inclusion Statement
SKA Observatory recognises that our diversity is a strength. We aim to create a welcoming and inclusive environment
where everyone feels they belong, and diverse perspectives and ideas thrive. As such, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
are at the core of SKA Observatory’s agenda.
Our aim is to recruit and retain the most talented individuals, regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual
orientation, marital status, religion, nationality or background.
Women have traditionally been under-represented in the fields of science and engineering; SKA Observatory welcomes
and encourages female applicants.
Where applicants with a disability need facilities or adjustments to enable them to participate in the recruitment process,
these will be provided.
SKA Observatory welcome all candidates, especially those from member countries.
The “How to Apply” information contained within the SKA Observatory recruitment portal provides more
detail regarding our application and selection approach
