Spacecraft Propulsion Architect

About the role

Clearspace is seeking a senior Spacecraft Propulsion Architect to join its Mechanical, Thermal and Propulsion (MTP) team in London. You will act as the technical authority for propulsion design, shaping the architecture of Clearspace’s spacecraft platform throughout the mission lifecycle.

Key responsibilities

• Own the spacecraft propulsion architecture from concept to launch readiness.
• Lead definition, justification and trade‑offs of propulsion concepts, balancing performance, reliability and mission constraints.
• Establish and maintain propulsion budgets, margins and system allocations.
• Define subsystem architectures, including fluid, pressurisation and hardware elements.
• Conduct sizing analyses, performance assessments and system‑level trade studies.
• Manage propulsion requirements, interfaces and technical baselines across all spacecraft subsystems.
• Develop verification strategies and support qualification, acceptance and launch activities.
• Provide technical leadership in design reviews and mentor junior engineers.

Required profile

• 10+ years of experience in spacecraft propulsion engineering with senior technical leadership responsibilities.
• Proven track record delivering complex spacecraft propulsion architectures, including chemical and/or electric systems.
• Strong understanding of fluid systems, propellant management, pressurisation and propulsion hardware.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary technical discussions and driving convergence across system domains.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management and mentoring abilities.

Required skills

• Spacecraft propulsion systems (chemical, electric, cold‑gas, monopropellant, bipropellant).
• Fluid and pressurisation system design.
• Propulsion sizing and performance analysis.
• Spacecraft integration, environmental testing and verification campaigns.
• Familiarity with ECSS standards and ESA programme requirements.