I studied Aerospace Engineering at the University of Sheffield. It was a great course with a strong focus on mechanical engineering and practical learning. Since joining Teledyne Space Imaging, I have been able to apply that knowledge, particularly in materials science and mechanics, while also developing new skills in electronics and semiconductor physics.
I work in the Post Production Engineering team, where we focus on setting up the assembly processes for CCD and CMOS devices. We are involved right from the early design stages of a project, helping to determine the best design for manufacture.
From there, we prototype early models, develop and refine assembly methods, and create the documentation needed to ensure everything is controlled and repeatable. We then support the full production run through to final delivery.
A key part of the role involves working in cleanroom environments. Because we are dealing with highly sensitive optical devices, even the smallest speck of dust can have an impact, so maintaining strict cleanliness standards is essential.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
One of the things I enjoy most is the variety. I get to work on projects from the early design phase all the way through to delivery, which means I am involved in the full lifecycle, from design and manufacturing to testing and performance validation. That involvement is very rewarding.
Which projects are you most excited to be working on right now?
The biggest project I am working on at the moment is LISA, ESA’s Laser Interferometer Space Antenna. It is a flagship European mission involving both ESA and NASA, and it is one of the most significant space science projects currently underway.
It is particularly exciting because the experiment it will carry out has the potential to make a real impact in fundamental physics. It is a large scale project, so it will likely be a major part of my work over the next few years.
I have also worked on NASA’s MUSE mission, which is due to launch in 2027. That is especially meaningful to me because it will be the first hardware I have worked on that will launch into space.
What was your personal contribution to the MUSE mission?
I worked on setting up the manufacturing process, including developing an active alignment method, which was quite challenging. I also documented the processes and supported production all the way through to delivery.
Do you have opportunities to work with partners or visit external sites as part of your role?
Most of the work is based in Chelmsford, England, but for larger projects like LISA, there may be opportunities to visit subcontractors and support process development externally. That is something I am looking forward to as the project progresses.
What keeps you motivated about working in the space sector?
I find it incredibly rewarding. The level of engineering involved is very high, and the reliability requirements are extremely demanding. Knowing that the devices we build will operate in space and contribute to scientific discovery and exploration makes the work even more exciting.
How does your team operate, and where do you specialise?
Our team is relatively small, around eight people, but we work closely together across multiple projects. While everyone contributes broadly, each of us has our own areas of specialism.
For me, that includes metrology and measurement systems, alignment processes, and wafer level testing - which is a critical part of the work.
Can you explain why it is so important?
It allows us to test devices at a very early stage and identify any that will not meet the required standards. By filtering these out early, we save significant time and cost later in the production process, ensuring that we’re delivering only high quality sensors.
