Careers

Electronics and
Embedded Software Engineer

Location: Tweedbank / Edinburgh / Hybrid

Salary Range: £30,000-£50,000

Contract: Permanent

Thistle Rocketry is building scalable propellant pump systems for spacecraft and satellites. Our Fluid Driven Pump (FDP) technology is designed to give spacecraft developers greater flexibility in how they store and deliver propellant, with systems that can scale to suit different spacecraft sizes, propulsion architectures and mission requirements.

Our work brings together mechanical engineering, electronics and embedded software to develop the next generation of spacecraft propellant delivery systems. As a small engineering company, we offer the opportunity to contribute directly to the technology, influence design decisions and see your work progress from an initial concept to functioning hardware.

We’re looking for an engineer with skills in both electronics and embedded software to help develop the systems that control, monitor and test our pump technology.

You’ll work across circuit design, firmware development, hardware integration and testing. This is a practical engineering role, offering responsibility for defined projects and close collaboration with colleagues across mechanical and propulsion engineering.

Experience in the space industry is preferred, but we welcome applicants from other engineering sectors with relevant skills.

Your responsibilities

  • Design, develop and test electronic circuits and PCBs for control, sensing, data acquisition and actuator interfaces.

  • Write, debug and maintain embedded software in C and/or C++ for microcontroller-based systems.

  • Integrate electronics and firmware with sensors, valves and other propulsion system components.

  • Bring up prototype boards, investigate faults and resolve issues across hardware and software.

  • Develop test procedures and supporting tools to assess functionality, performance and reliability.

  • Support laboratory and system testing, analyse results and use findings to improve designs.

  • Maintain clear engineering documentation, including schematics, interface definitions, software documentation and test reports.

  • Contribute to design reviews, identifying practical improvements and discussing technical trade-offs with the wider team.

What you will bring

  • Relevant professional experience, typically around 3–5 years, or equivalent demonstrated capability.

  • Practical experience in both electronics development and embedded software, with the ability to take defined tasks through to completion.

  • A sound understanding of analogue and digital electronics, including schematic capture, PCB design and component selection.

  • Experience developing embedded software in C and/or C++, including interfacing with hardware and debugging on target devices.

  • Familiarity with communication interfaces such as UART, SPI, I²C or CAN.

  • Confidence using laboratory equipment such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, bench power supplies and logic analysers.

  • A methodical approach to troubleshooting, testing, version control and technical documentation.

  • A degree in electronic engineering, embedded systems or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.

Useful additional experience

Experience in any of the following would be useful:

  • Spacecraft electronics, propulsion controls or other aerospace systems.

  • Space hardware development, verification and qualification processes, including familiarity with ECSS requirements.

  • Reliable embedded systems, including fault detection, watchdogs and safe operating states.

  • Real-time operating systems, control systems or sensor signal conditioning.

  • Python or similar tools for test automation, data acquisition and analysis.

  • EMC considerations, environmental testing or designing electronics for demanding operating conditions.

You should enjoy working across the boundary between hardware and software, taking a practical approach to solving problems and communicating clearly with engineers from different disciplines. We’re looking for someone who can work independently on agreed tasks, recognise when support is needed and contribute constructively to design decisions.

The role offers the opportunity to make a direct contribution to space propulsion technology, develop your skills across several engineering disciplines and see your designs operating in real hardware.

How to apply

Send your CV and cover letter, to contact@thistlerocketry.com with the subject Electronics and Embedded Software Engineer Application.