Firmware Engineer - Space

ALTEN is a global engineering and technology consultancy operating across over 35 countries worldwide. We partner with industry leaders across sectors including Aeronautics, Aerospace, Defence, Naval, Automotive, Energy, Rail, IT and many more to deliver innovative engineering solutions that drive technological advancement & support sustainable transformation.

Our teams of passionate and agile engineers work on cutting-edge projects that shape the future of technology and sustainability. At ALTEN, we empower talented engineers to innovate, solve complex challenges, and deliver impactful solutions that build tomorrow’s world—today.

Join us and start building tomorrow’s world today!

As a Firmware Engineer – Space, you will join the Oxford team to support our activities within the space propulsion and satellite systems sector.

Working as a consultant for ALTEN, you will contribute to the development of next-generation electric propulsion systems designed for CubeSats and small satellite platforms. You will play a key role in building robust embedded firmware that enables real-time control, data handling, and mission-critical functionality for innovative in-orbit propulsion technology. This is an opportunity to work at the forefront of space technology, supporting systems designed for constellation management, in-space servicing, and debris avoidance.

Location: Oxford

On Site: Hybrid – minimum 1 day per week on site (likely to increase in the future)

Clearance: Full right to work in the UK and eligible to obtain BPSS clearance.

Experience Level: 5+ Years

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain embedded software in C, using ST Microcontroller Libraries for hardware interfacing and control.
• Implement real-time data processing algorithms to support propulsion system monitoring and control.
• Design and optimise binary data stream parsing, converting low-level communication streams into structured on-device data.
• Support integration and validation of firmware within space-qualified electronic systems.
• Contribute to system-level testing, debugging, and performance optimisation in hardware-in-the-loop environments.
• Produce clear technical documentation, including software architecture descriptions and verification reports.

Required Skills

• Strong experience in Embedded C development within constrained or safety-critical environments.
• Hands-on experience with ST Microcontrollers and associated libraries.
• Proven capability in real-time systems development and data processing.
• Experience implementing low-level communication protocols and binary data parsing.
• Understanding of firmware verification, debugging, and hardware integration.

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline, or equivalent military experience.
• 5+ years’ experience in firmware or embedded software development, ideally within aerospace, defence, or other high-reliability sectors.
• Experience working through the full embedded software lifecycle, from requirements to validation.

Desirable Skills

• Familiarity with ECSS packetised command standards.
• Previous experience within the space industry or satellite platforms.
• Experience using Bitbucket, Jira, or the Atlassian suite.
• Exposure to propulsion systems, power electronics, or spacecraft subsystem integration.

Why join us? 

We bring together entrepreneurial, tech-driven people to deliver innovative solutions for leading companies.

At ALTEN, you’ll work on exciting projects, supported by ongoing learning, mentoring, and clear career development tailored to your goals.

Join a passionate team and help build tomorrow, today.

In short you get: 

• A personalised career path and a rewarding management style 
• A huge diversity of engineering projects and industries
• Private Medical Insurance
• Cycle & Tech Scheme 
• Employee assistance programme
• Life insurance & Pension Scheme
• Social atmosphere, regular gatherings & team buildings
• Flexible way of working (role dependent)

We are proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant & actively encourage applications from members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans, reservists, service leavers, and military spouses/partners. We recognise the value of military skills and experience and are committed to ensuring that no applicant is unfairly disadvantaged during our recruitment and selection processes. 

This role may require you to have or be willing to go through Security Clearance. As part of the onboarding process candidates will be asked to complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard; details of the evidence required to apply may be found on the government website Gov.UK. If you are unable to meet this and any associated criteria, then your employment may be delayed, or rejected . Details of this will be discussed with you at interview.