Spacecraft Dynamic Testing Industrial placement

Spacecraft Dynamic Testing Industrial placement

The dynamics group operates a suite of large and small test facilities used in the mechanical verification of spacecraft. Smaller-scale facilities have facilitated several major missions such as the James Webb Space Telescope and the ESA's Sentinel programmes over more than 15 years. In the last year, these facilities have been joined by the much larger capabilities within the National Satellite Test Facility. This facility provides a set of co-located world-class facilities for the assembly, integration and testing of space payloads and satellites. The facility has the capability to conduct Vibration, Acoustic, Thermal, Pyroshock, Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) and antennae testing for full spacecraft up to 7 tonnes within clean room conditions. This new investment of over £99M adds to the existing facilities operated by the RAL Space department, part of Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), within UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

The operation of both the new and existing environmental test facilities is within the Environmental Test theme, with the Dynamics Group being responsible for a range of test types including vibration, deployment/separation, direct field acoustic noise and mass properties tests. These tests are being progressively developed and refined as the first spacecraft come through the facility.

Brief overview of the scheme

STFC’s incredibly diverse range of placements allow you to work alongside world leading engineers, scientists, and technicians in highly collaborative environments. With an STFC Industrial Placement you will become a critical member of the team in which you will be exposed to exciting projects and challenges from the start.

We’ll provide challenges that match your skills, and each placement is a unique opportunity to pursue your career interests. You will be supported every step of the way by our dedicated Early Careers Development Team

About the role and a summary of key duties & responsibilities

Working within the Dynamics group of the Environmental Test Division at RAL Space, the role involves supporting the team and assisting with vibration and pyroshock testing campaigns of spacecraft and payloads for both internal and external customers, including the setup of equipment and test items.

Duties could include working in a small group to set up test rigs for testing, operating software for data capture and analysis, working alongside customers to meet their requirements for the test, and providing them with useful, relevant test data and information.

You will join the team in an exciting period as the large facilities have been brought to full operational state, and customer campaigns will be in full swing. Throughout the placement, a growing understanding of spacecraft dynamic testing will allow you to work on some more independent projects, such as micro-vibration work or the development of acoustic test techniques.

• Assisting other test engineers in preparing and carrying out dynamics tests.
• Operating analysis equipment and software for capturing and processing data.
• Developing analysis and test methods to improve the breadth of understanding of test operations.

To apply for this placement, we are looking for the following:

Key - Shortlisting (S), at Interview (I) or both (S&I)

Essential:

• Currently enrolled on an undergraduate degree course and returning to university/studies to complete your undergraduate degree following the placement (S)
• Are required or have requested to take an industrial placement year (S)
• Have the right to live and work in the UK for the duration of the placement (S)
• Able to commence employment in summer 2026 (S)
• Good hands-on experimental, mechanical or maker skills, experience or demonstrated aptitude (S&I).
• Good written and verbal communication skills (S&I)
• Aptitude for working and communicating effectively within a small team (S&I)
• An appreciation of safe working practices

Desirable:

• An understanding of the dynamics of structures including the effects of frequency and damping (S&I)
• A keen interest in engineering and science in the space industry (S&I)

Employee Benefits:

• 30 days holiday (in addition to 10.5 bank holidays and privilege days).
• Flexible working hours.
• An excellent defined average salary pension scheme.
• Easily accessible public transport links/ free parking.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.
• Cycle to work scheme.

As this job does not fulfil the UK Government minimum criterion for obtaining sponsored migrant worker status we will be unable to apply for sponsorship for anyone not eligible to work in the UK. At interview, all shortlisted candidates are required to bring with them identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK.

Application Guidance

Please note that we can only accept a maximum of 2 applications per candidate.Part of our application process involves submitting your CV and a cover letter. Your cover letter should address your suitability for the opportunity based how you meet each essential criteria stated in this advert.

Please note that we hold the right to close this vacancy early if a sufficient number of applications have been received.

We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe, to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers and business support team explore the unknown across every field you could think of. And they turn what they find into work that changes the world around us.

What could you achieve with the world-leading facilities and experts of one of Europe's largest research organisations by your side? Join us and discover what's possible!

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all applicants with a disability who opt into the disability confident scheme and meet the minimum criteria for the role. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

About the Team

The Science and Technology Facilities Council is a world-leading multi-disciplinary science organisation where curiosity-driven, blue-skies thinking meets practical, application-led science and engineering. Our goal is to deliver economic, societal, scientific and international benefits to the UK and its people – and more broadly to the world.

One of Europe’s largest research organisations, we’re trusted to support, enable and undertake cutting-edge projects in an amazing diversity of fields. Through world-class facilities and people, we’re driving ground-breaking advances in science, engineering, computing and technology. Our research seeks to understand the Universe from the largest astronomical scales to the tiniest constituents of matter, yet creates impact on a very tangible, human scale.

How to apply

To apply for this role and to find out more, please click on the apply button. Please note that applications may close before the application deadline, so apply early to avoid disappointment.