This contract opportunity is available through our Outsourcing Partner; contact details can be provided

Harness Design Engineer

Location: Guildford, UK
Department: Assembly, Integration & Test (AIT)
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
Contract: Contractor

About the Role

We are seeking a skilled Harness Design Engineer to join our AIT team and play a key role in the definition, design and delivery of electrical harnesses for our spacecraft. You will work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams to ensure all electrical interfaces meet mission requirements, while driving improvements in harness design, manufacturing and procurement processes.

This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of our harness capability, including developing external supplier partnerships and supporting the transition toward outsourced harness manufacture for selected missions.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyse harness specifications, design documents and equipment electrical interface requirements to develop robust spacecraft harness solutions.
• Define bracket and bulkhead connectors, and create detailed pin‑to‑pin definitions using our harness design tool (Haywire).
• Ensure all harness designs meet electrical, grounding and environmental requirements.
• Collaborate with spacecraft systems engineers to resolve design issues and anomalies.
• Support connector definition and procurement, developing strong relationships with component suppliers.
• Participate in harness routing discussions and fabrication jig creation.
• Design spacecraft test cables and oversee their manufacture.
• Apply configuration and change management processes effectively.
• Provide progress reporting and support AIT/EVT activities, including potential overseas test campaigns.
• Liaise with mission teams, customers and external partners, and contribute to design and project reviews.
• When required, author Statements of Work for outsourced harness manufacture and negotiate robust commercial arrangements.

About You

• Degree or HND/HNC in electrical engineering or a related science discipline.
• Proven experience in a similar role, ideally within the space or a high‑reliability engineering sector.
• At least five years’ industrial experience, including spacecraft subsystem electrical interface definition and analysis.
• Experience working with flight hardware across design, development and system testing phases.
• Familiarity with verification and validation processes.
• Strong electrical, mechanical and electronics background.
• Excellent attention to detail, problem‑solving skills and the ability to work independently in ambiguous situations.
• Confident communicator with strong presentation and stakeholder‑management skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and harness definition/3D harness design tools.
• Flexible and pragmatic, willing to travel overseas when required.

Why Join Us?

You will work on missions that push the boundaries of space technology, contributing directly to spacecraft development in a highly collaborative environment. We offer opportunities for professional development, involvement in international programmes and the chance to influence future harness design strategy and capability.