Head of Engineering

Job description

HEAD OF ENGINEERING This is a future role. We're building a shortlist now and will contact you when it opens. About us Foundational is building the most precise picture of Earth and orbit, using lasers fired from the ground. We call it ground truth for orbit. We design and run low-cost, autonomous satellite laser ranging stations. They measure the distance to satellites with extreme precision, day and night. Our data platform turns those measurements into tracking data and orbit products for satellite operators, space agencies and governments. We also build our own flight-proven laser retroreflector arrays, so any satellite can be tracked. Our station network is expanding across Europe, South America, Africa and Australia. The data supports resilient navigation, Earth observation and the safe, sustainable use of space. We're a small, fast-moving team of engineers, scientists and operators in London. We're backed by venture investors and supported by ESA, the UK Space Agency, Innovate UK and the European Innovation Council. Position Overview London · Full time · On-site You'll lead our engineering team as it grows across hardware, optics and software. You'll turn our technology into stations and products that are delivered reliably and at scale. What you'll do - Lead, hire and develop engineers across disciplines - Own engineering delivery: planning, milestones and resourcing - Build design review, requirements, test and configuration processes that stay fast - Take station builds from prototype to repeatable production - Work with the CTO on architecture and the technical roadmap - Support customer and agency programmes, including ESA reviews What you'll bring - Senior engineering leadership delivering complex hardware and software systems - A background in space, defence, scientific instruments or similar - A record of growing teams and delivery processes at a fast-moving company - Systems engineering experience Nice to have - Optical or laser systems - ECSS or ESA programmes - Scaling up production - Eligibility for UK security clearance What We Offer - A high-impact role with real ownership at an early-stage, venture-backed spacetech company - EMI share options (UK employees) - 25 Days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays - Enhanced Parental Leave - Cycle to work schemes - Work alongside engineers and scientists across optics, lasers, software and astrodynamics - Offices in central London, with snacks, tea, coffee and regular socials We actively champion underrepresented groups and seek to bridge gaps in our workforce. If you're excited by the role but don't match every point, or you’re seeking a part time role, please apply anyway and add a note into your application. Building the best team is our priority.