The Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) is Singapore’s first University of Applied Learning, offering industry-relevant degree programmes that prepare its graduates to be work- and future-ready professionals. Its mission is to maximise the potential of its learners and to innovate with industry, through an integrated applied learning and research approach, so as to contribute to the economy and society.

The university’s unique pedagogy integrates work and study, embracing authentic learning in a real-world environment through collaborations with key strategic partners. Its focus on applied research with business impact is aimed at helping industry innovate and grow. SIT’s centralised campus within the larger Punggol Digital District features a vibrant learning environment where academia and industry will be tightly integrated with the community.

SIT espouses an applied learning approach and offers degrees with a strong focus on science and technology. Our faculty work closely with industry on translational research and innovation, as well as provide consultancy on solutions to industry challenges. This well-established nexus with industry endows our graduates with deep skills and work-ready training experience – attuning them to the needs and demands of the future economy.

SIT is also establishing strategic live test beds known as ‘Living Labs’ both within and beyond its Punggol campus to support greater experiential learning and strengthen its applied research offerings. The university’s pool of experts works with multi-disciplinary teams to drive the horizontal technology enablers required to support SIT’s strategic translational research.

The Professional Officers Division (POD) houses a centralised pool of academic staff under the Professional Officers scheme. Professional Officers bring specialised and deep technical expertise developed through extensive industry experience. They provide a critical industry perspective to student learning and applied research, complementing the academic expertise of faculty by translating industry practices and real-world applications into the curriculum.

SIT is building hands-on capability in space engineering through its Student Innovation Centre (SIC), where students design, build, test and launch space systems as complex, interdisciplinary engineering projects. SIT is seeking an experienced space systems engineer to anchor this effort by leading SIT’s student CubeSat programme and related space projects, building up SIT’s space testing facilities, and running the day-to-day operations of SIC across its wider portfolio of complex engineering projects. A PhD is not required; we are looking for a practitioner who has built space hardware from design through qualification and launch. Focus areas include:

• • Small satellite (CubeSat and microsatellite) design, build, integration and launch
  • Space environmental testing and qualification
  • Space payloads and on-orbit technology demonstration
  • Student space competitions such as CanSat, and space-related industry projects

Responsibilities:

Primary

• Lead the end-to-end development of SIT’s student-built CubeSat, from mission definition and design through assembly, integration and test, launch and on-orbit operations.
• Guide and mentor student teams on space and other complex engineering projects in SIC, including preparation for CanSat and other regional and international competitions.
• Set up, operate and maintain SIT’s space testing facilities, including mass properties measurement, thermal vacuum chamber and clean room, and develop their use by industry and research partners on a fee-for-service basis.
• Run SIC’s day-to-day operations, including project intake, scheduling, budgets, procurement, equipment and technical resources.
• Build and manage partnerships with the National Space Agency of Singapore, regional space agencies, universities, launch service providers and space companies, and develop industry projects and IWSP placements for students.

Secondary

• Design, develop and teach Unrestricted Elective modules, laboratory sessions and practice-based content in space systems engineering, building towards a minor.
• Supervise and mentor students in applied projects, Capstone Projects and the Integrated Work Study Programme (IWSP).
• Support applied research proposals, grant applications and sponsorship bids for space and other SIC projects.
• Apply space engineering practice, including design reviews, documentation and configuration control, and export control and launch compliance requirements.
• Ensure compliance with laboratory, clean room and safety policies, procedures and best practices.
• Work closely with faculty across Clusters and internal stakeholders to drive teaching, applied research and innovation outcomes.
• Support other complex engineering projects in SIC, including autonomous systems (land, air, sea and hybrid)

Qualifications:

• A good Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical/Electronic Engineering or a related discipline. A PhD is not required; substantial hands-on space engineering experience will be valued.
• At least 5-10 years of relevant industry or research-centre experience, including direct involvement in building space systems that have been qualified for flight or launched.
• Strong technical expertise in one or more of the following areas:
  • Spacecraft systems engineering and mission design
  • Spacecraft structures and mechanisms design and analysis
  • Assembly, integration and testing (AIT) of satellites and payloads
  • Environmental qualification testing (vibration, shock, thermal vacuum, thermal cycling, mass properties)
  • Finite element and structural analysis (e.g. ANSYS, MSC Patran/Nastran)
  • Satellite subsystems (power, communications, onboard computing, attitude determination and control)
  • Space payloads, including optical, IoT and in-orbit computing payloads
  • Clean room practice, and contamination and outgassing control
• Familiarity with space standards and launch provider requirements (e.g. ECSS, NASA GEVS, CubeSat Design Specification) and with export control processes.
• Experience working with space agencies, launch service providers, deep-tech companies or international partners on space missions.
• Track record in technical project leadership, including managing schedules, budgets, vendors and technical risks.
• Demonstrated interest in teaching and mentoring, such as guest lecturing, student mentorship or competition judging.
• Strong supervisory and mentoring skills, with an interest in working closely with students in an educational environment.
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development, with the ability to keep abreast of developments in the field. Relevant industry certifications will be an added advantage.
• For senior appointments, demonstrated managerial or team leadership experience may be required.

Key Competencies

• Passion for teaching, coaching and mentoring students through hands-on, design-build-launch projects.
• Strong analytical and hands-on problem-solving skills.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Comfortable working hands-on in laboratories, clean rooms and test facilities, and across functions and teams in a dynamic environment.
• Self-motivated and committed to continuous learning and professional growth.
• Strong technical writing, communication, and presentation skills.
• Good analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
• Proactive, resourceful, and able to take ownership of assigned responsibilities.