What do the two roles involve?
My primary responsibility is to organise and lead both teams to ensure project deadlines and technical requirements are met. This includes workload planning, supporting project delivery, managing departmental activities, and providing technical expertise where required. A key focus of my role is improving efficiency through process optimisation, streamlining ways of working, and supporting team development through learning and continuous improvement initiatives.
For the Environmental Test Team, I act as the technical authority, using my specialist knowledge to upskill the team and support the development of effective test solutions for our products. On a day‑to‑day basis, I oversee the department’s work schedule and develop plans to support future growth. I also actively identify and evaluate new equipment that will enhance our in‑house test capability, particularly for larger systems and payload‑level solutions.
For the Electrical Hardware Engineering Team, my role is focused primarily on organisation and process improvement. I am responsible for ensuring the team has access to the necessary resources to deliver their complex and technically demanding work while meeting project timescales. Taking responsibility for a new team has provided the opportunity to review current working practices and implement improved processes and software tools to better track workload and efficiency, and to identify opportunities to further streamline workflows.
Can you tell us about the labs you work with?
We currently have three labs on-site, including facilities for vibration and shock testing, cryogenic testing, and a new thermal vacuum chamber that can reach extremely low temperatures. These labs ensure our products are fully tested and ready for the harsh conditions of space.
Due to the nature of my role, and the rigorous testing we conduct on all of our detectors, I’m fortunate to get to work hands-on with many of the sensors that launch into space, and 2025 was an exciting year! Here at the Chelmsford site, we tested the sensors that flew in the missions PUNCH, Sentinel-4 and MetOp-SG-A1 (which our technology featured in three of the six on board instruments). Sentinel-4 was an interesting testing experience, as we subjected the CCDs to temperatures as cold as -73°C. The coldest we have gone on any project is -143°C!
How did you get into these roles?
I joined the company in 2012 as an apprentice technician. As part of my apprenticeship, I rotated through several departments, during which I developed a strong interest in environmental engineering. This quickly became my primary focus, and I continued working within the Environmental Test department until 2018.
In 2018, I made the decision to leave the company to gain broader engineering experience and develop my skills further in different working environments. After five years, I returned in 2023 to take on the role of Team Leader for the Environmental Test Team — leading the same department in which I had originally trained.
In mid‑2025, I was offered the opportunity to take on responsibility for a second on‑site team, the Electrical Hardware Engineering Team. This opportunity arose when the existing team leader stepped back from the role, and I was nominated based on the demonstrated improvements, efficiencies, and leadership outcomes delivered within my existing department.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I really enjoy problem solving and improving processes. I also enjoy supporting my team and creating a positive and open working environment. I believe that motivated and supported teams deliver the best results.
What is it like working in the space sector?
Working in the space sector is incredibly rewarding. Supporting missions that explore planets, stars, and Earth observation is something I am very proud of. My team is responsible for testing products to make sure they can survive launch and extreme conditions in space, which is both challenging and fulfilling.
Does your interest in space continue outside of work?
Yes, definitely. Outside of work I enjoy observing planets and stars, tracking launches, and following space missions. I also enjoy talking to friends, family, and schools about space to help inspire future engineers.
What are your main goals looking ahead to 2026?
My primary goal for 2026 is to continue developing both teams into highly capable, efficient, and forward‑thinking departments that are recognised for the quality, reliability, and value they deliver. A key focus will be further upskilling the teams through targeted training, knowledge sharing, and exposure to new technologies, ensuring capability is resilient and not reliant on individuals.
Alongside technical development, I am committed to maintaining a motivated, engaged, and positive working environment. I believe that high performance is best achieved when people feel valued, supported, and able to contribute ideas, and I will continue to emphasise open communication, development opportunities, and recognition of good work across both teams.
I also aim to explore opportunities to expand our testing activities to support wider business growth, including assessing the potential for offering external testing services where there is available capacity and clear commercial benefit. This would not only provide additional revenue streams but also further strengthen our technical capability and external reputation.
On a personal development level, I plan to continue progressing my Engineering degree, recognising the value this brings to both my own technical understanding and my ability to lead and support the teams effectively. Completing this qualification will further strengthen my contribution to the business and support long‑term succession and capability planning.
