Space Instrumentation Projects Electronics Engineer. Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London

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1 Space Instrumentation Projects Electronics Engineer at Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London UCL Department/Division: Department of Space & Climate Physics Grade 7 Hours Full Time Salary 29,541 to 36,298 Duties and Responsibilities Applications are invited for the post of electronics engineer in the electronic engineering group at MSSL to support the Laboratory s space instrumentation programme. The post is funded for two years in the first instance Key Requirements - A first degree or equivalent qualification in electronic engineering. - Substantial experience with development, test and integration of analog and digital circuitry and systems. CONTEXT This post is in the Department of Space and Climate Physics ( at the Mullard Space Science Laboratory. For administrative purposes, the Department is part of the UCL Faculty of Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MAPS). MSSL is located on its own campus in the Surrey Hills, surrounded by woodland. MSSL is the UK s largest university space research group. Space science is a discipline that demands highly innovative technologies and MSSL has an international reputation for excellence in this area. Since MSSL was established in 1966, we have participated in over 40 satellite missions with the European Space Agency, NASA, Japan, Russia, China and India, and have flown over 230 rocket experiments. The total staff compliment is approximately 170. The engineering groups have all the capabilities needed to design, build and test space science instruments in house. We have been successful in our bids to provide instruments for a number of major missions in the current space science and instrumentation programmes of the European and UK Space Agencies and we need to recruit additional staff to provide capacity for other future projects. The Electronic Engineering Group consists of design engineers working on a diverse range of electronic disciplines supported by PCB layout and assembly groups. The focus of this particular post is the electronic engineering for a number of projects where the common theme is instruments that make in situ measurements. These are typically plasma analysers where miniaturization is a key objective. One such project is the NASA Solar Sail mission Sunjammer. MSSL has strong heritage with such instruments so the electronic tasks for this post are initially development and implementation rather than original design. FPGAs are used widely in these instruments, so familiarity with FPGA design would be beneficial.

2 Please apply on-line by 17 th June, 2013 via the official UCL site:

3 JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title Space Instrumentation Projects Electronics Engineer Department Department of Space & Climate Physics, Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London. Grade Research Grade 7 (salary in the range 29,531 to 36,298). The appointment level will be commensurate with accomplishment and experience. Reports to Head of electronic engineering Summary of Job Function The post holder will work within a project team to develop, integrate and test electronics subsystems, derived from existing designs, for specific space science projects. This work will be supported by more experienced space electronics designers. As well as being necessary to support the development of these particular instruments, this work is seen as a training environment for the more demanding tasks involved in the detailed design of space flight electronic sub-systems. Main Duties and Responsibilities - Learn about the constraints of the space environment and the standards expected by the space agencies - Work with project teams to gain an understanding of the performance and interface requirements of our space instruments - Learn to be proficient with schematic editing using the Mentor Graphics CAD system in use at MSSL - Provide guidance to printed circuit layout draftsmen to implement new board layouts where needed - Work with mechanical and thermal engineers to arrange accommodation for electronic subsystems. - Undertake component procurement and liaise with the MSSL electronics workshop for sub-system assembly - Support instrument calibration and environmental tests. - Contribute to user guides and design review documentation - Attend project team meetings to report on schedule progress, technical difficulties etc. Special working conditions The instruments developed at MSSL are nearly always within collaborations with other UK or overseas research groups. The post holder will be required to travel to various European or world-wide consortium institutes to participate in meetings and to make presentations. The post holder may occasionally be required to work out of hours.

4 Contacts The post holder will be required to interact frequently and effectively with other local and international team members. Other conditions The post holder will be required to actively follow UCL policies including Equal Opportunities, attend staff meetings and training as required, maintain an awareness of Fire and Health and Safety Regulations, carry out any other duties as are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job, the title of the job and the grading as requested by the line manager or Head of Department. This job description reflects the present requirements of the post. As duties and responsibilities change and develop, the job description will be reviewed and be subject to amendment in consultation with the post holder.

5 PERSON SPECIFICATION Knowledge A thorough understanding of analogue and digital electronics instrumentation circuitry at component and sub-system level Expertise in the design of FPGAs including the use of high level graphical design tools Qualifications First degree or equivalent in electronic engineering Previous training in FPGA design and verification Skills Good written and oral communications skills (working language is English) Proficiency with common computer operating systems and MS Office applications Familiarity with computer networking and file systems Aptitude Good interpersonal abilities and proven capability to work collaboratively. Proven record of ability to manage time and work to deadlines To be pro-active in seeking solutions and achieving objectives Previous experience Proven ability to develop and fault-find electronics sub-systems that include FPGAs Previous work in scientific research in a relevant discipline