Key information

  1. Status: Approved for delivery (available for starts)
  2. Reference: ST0856
  3. Version: 1.0
  4. Level: 6
  5. Degree: integrated degree
  6. Typical duration to gateway: 48 months
  7. Typical EPA period: 7 months
  8. Maximum funding: £27000
  9. Route: Engineering and manufacturing
  10. Date updated: 06/03/2023
  11. Approved for delivery: 23 February 2023
  12. Lars code: 699
  13. EQA provider: Office for Students
  14. Example progression routes:
  15. Review: this apprenticeship will be reviewed in accordance with our change request policy.
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Apprenticeship summary

Overview of the role

To take a leading role in the design, manufacturing and testing of complex, high value space hardware and ground support equipment.

Occupation summary

This occupation is found in the space sector, and primarily the 'upstream' manufacturing area. This covers the design and production of spacecraft and the components and subsystems they comprise. It also includes production, operation and maintenance of highly specialised ground support equipment. Ground support equipment is used to support the development and testing of satellites and other equipment flown in space, before launch. Space systems engineers cover a broad range of mechanical, electronic, and thermal engineering disciplines. They usually specialise in one or more specific areas.

The upstream element of the industry is part of the overall space sector. It is related to but distinct from the 'downstream' part of the sector. The downstream sector is concerned with the exploitation of data from satellites for end-user applications including weather forecasting and telecommunications. Although businesses in the downstream sector work mainly with data and services, many also employ space systems engineers. Income for the whole UK space sector has grown significantly. The upstream segment has been the majority contributor to the overall growth of the sector. Space is a key part of the UK’s Industrial Strategy supporting the development and increases in productivity of other key sectors. For example, Agribusiness, Transport and Health, through improved data provision and communications. Government has committed funding to new developments supporting the upstream sector. Investments include establishing UK space ports, funding of spacecraft technology programmes and a satellite launch capability, and the National Satellite Test Facility.

Space Systems Engineers work in a variety of businesses. These can be small, medium or large enterprises. For example, specialising in, or involved with, space systems and space technology. They can also work in large national or global aerospace companies and space agencies. They are also found in academic institutions. Institutions include universities, government-funded science and technology research and development laboratories. 

The broad purpose of the occupation is to take a leading role in the design, manufacturing and testing of complex, high value space hardware and ground support equipment at component and sub-system level, using advanced integration skills. Space Systems Engineers receive customer and mission requirements. They use engineering and scientific principles and knowledge of the space environment to identify solutions to requirements. They also assist in research and development, provide technical expertise, support, solutions and leadership. 

Space Systems Engineers typically work to normal business hours. They can be required to work shifts and weekends in particular circumstances. For example, during launch support, or in periods leading up to major project delivery milestones. They typically work in secure and controlled environments, workshops and development areas. These can involve working at ground level, and at high level on gantries and walkways. They also work in regular offices. Some of these environments can be highly specialised (for example, rocket propulsion test facilities). These environments can involve working with very high pressure gas and fluid delivery systems, high vacuum facilities, and cryogenic fluids and delivery systems.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with a range of stakeholders. Within their organisation they interact with the project manager, engineering team members, technical specialists, systems engineers, senior managers. They also interact with other internal teams such as finance, health and safety, and marketing. They may also interact directly with external stakeholders such as the customer or client, as well as suppliers and service providers.

An employee in this occupation is responsible for the quality and accuracy of the work they undertake within the limits of their personal authority. Space systems engineers adhere to statutory regulations and organisational health and safety requirements. They also identify, and carry out work in compliance with, standards imposed by key customers. For example, space agencies and regulatory bodies such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) or the European Cooperation for Space Standardization (ECSS).

Typical job titles include:

Advanced manufacturing engineer Assembly integration and test manager Attitude and orbit control system (aocs) engineer Control and instrumentation engineer Electrical and electronic engineer Materials engineer Payload systems engineer Product and quality assurance engineer Satellite manufacturing assembly integration and test (ait) engineer Spacecraft mechanical engineer Spacecraft power systems engineer Spacecraft propulsion engineer Spacecraft systems engineer Thermal design engineer

Duties

  • Duty 1 Identify and define requirements, architecture, design and verification methodologies for spacecraft subsystems. For example, power, propulsion, attitude control, communications or thermal control.
  • Duty 2 Select techniques, components and materials appropriate for application in the mission environment. For example, vacuum-compatible materials, or electronic components that can withstand radiation.
  • Duty 3 Provide engineering support for mission-specific and research and development projects. For example, providing inputs on vibration test levels and interpreting other test performance data for project teams.
  • Duty 4 Provide systems-specific expertise during launch and early operations phases of a mission.
  • Duty 5 Provide technical expertise and team leadership in support of integration and testing at subsystem, spacecraft and ground level across a range of projects.
  • Duty 6 Perform system level trade-offs, co-ordinating inputs from various disciplines within a team to evaluate optimal solutions or proposed changes to a design. For example, calculating the antenna size required for two different designs of spacecraft communication systems to reach a recommendation for the optimal design. Or estimating the change in power availability when changing the design of solar array.
  • Duty 7 Provide technical expertise and support to the project system engineer by contributing to requirements management, ensuring all requirements are closed-out at the relevant project reviews and milestones. Contribute to technology readiness level for component or sub-system maturity status on space programmes.
  • Duty 8 Define test plans and procedures and compile test reports, managing test data and results for development and verification of the subsystem and spacecraft design.
  • Duty 9 Manage technical and project documentation used for control, monitoring, verification and reporting during a space project.
  • Duty 10 Provide engineering expertise to the project manager and lead systems engineer to assist in the formulation of risk assessments, project budgets and schedules.
  • Duty 11 Provide oversight of resource budgets and margins within the project. For example, mass, power and volume of a design.
  • Duty 12 Identify solutions for technical designs, techniques and processes relevant to a project using appropriate engineering disciplines and techniques. For example, identifying test standards and test procedures for new designs, new materials and new manufacturing processes for specific applications, or bonding techniques for assemblies involving novel combinations of materials.
  • Duty 13 Lead technical teams within a project, including line-management of technical staff working within a team.
  • Duty 14 Contribute to overall project management by coordinating the allocation of technical staff within a team and working with the project manager and lead systems engineer to ensure delivery of the project on-time and within budget.

ST0856, space systems engineer level 6


This is a summary of the key things that you – the apprentice and your employer need to know about your end-point assessment (EPA). You and your employer should read the EPA plan for the full details. It has information on assessment method requirements, roles and responsibilities, and re-sits and re-takes.

What is an end-point assessment and why it happens

An EPA is an assessment at the end of your apprenticeship. It will assess you against the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) in the occupational standard. Your training will cover the KSBs. The EPA is your opportunity to show an independent assessor how well you can carry out the occupation you have been trained for.

Your employer will choose an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) to deliver the EPA. Your employer and training provider should tell you what to expect and how to prepare for your EPA. 

The length of the training for this apprenticeship is typically 48 months. The EPA period is typically 7 months.

The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:

  • fail
  • pass
  • distinction

When you pass the EPA, you will be awarded your apprenticeship certificate.

EPA gateway

The EPA gateway is when the EPAO checks and confirms that you have met any requirements required before you start the EPA. You will only enter the gateway when your employer says you are ready.



The gateway requirements for your EPA are:

  • achieved English and mathematics qualifications in line with the apprenticeship funding rules
  • for the project report and presentation with questions, the project's title and scope must be agreed with the EPAO and a project summary submitted

  • for the professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence, you must submit a portfolio of evidence

  • passed any other qualifications listed in the occupational standard

For the space systems engineer, the qualification required is:

A space engineering or space science degree or other space degree that fully aligns to the KSBs on the apprenticeship

Assessment methods




Project with report

You will complete a project and write a report. You will be asked to complete a project. The title and scope must be agreed with the EPAO at the gateway. The report should be a maximum of 10000 words (with a 10% tolerance).

You will have 32 weeks to complete the project and submit the report to the EPAO.




You need to prepare and give a presentation to an independent assessor. Your presentation slides and any supporting materials should be submitted at the same time as the project output. The presentation with questions will last at least 60 minutes. The independent assessor will ask at least 5 questions about the project and presentation. The EPAO will confirm where and when each assessment method will take place.




Professional discussion


You will have a professional discussion with an independent assessor. It will last 90 minutes. They will ask you at least 9 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You need to compile a before the EPA gateway. You can use it to help answer the questions.


Who to contact for help or more information

You should speak to your employer if you have a query that relates to your job.



You should speak to your training provider if you have any questions about your training or EPA before it starts.

You should receive detailed information and support from the EPAO before the EPA starts. You should speak to them if you have any questions about your EPA once it has started.


Reasonable adjustments


If you have a disability, a physical or mental health condition or other special considerations, you may be able to have a reasonable adjustment that takes this into account. You should speak to your employer, training provider and EPAO and ask them what support you can get. The EPAO will decide if an adjustment is appropriate.


Professional recognition

This apprenticeship aligns with The Institute of Engineering & Technology (IET) for Incorporated Engineer (IEng)

Please contact the professional body for more details.

This apprenticeship aligns with Royal Aeronautical Society for Incorporated Engineer (IEng)

Please contact the professional body for more details.

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Employers involved in creating the standard: Airbus Defence and Space Nammo Westcott Ltd Teledyne UK Ltd Serco BAE Systems Reaction Engines Ltd Oxford Space Systems DSTL Thales Alenia Space UK Ltd Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC) UK Atomic Energy Authority Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd Satellite Applications Catapult CGI Plastron UK

Version log

Version Change detail Earliest start date Latest start date
1.0 Approved for delivery 23/02/2023 Not set

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