“I was only a youngster in 1985, living with my parents and younger sister in Cretingham, Suffolk. I went on to study Law and Management Studies at the University of Leeds (2000–2004) and began my career at BAE Systems as a Graduate Commercial Officer. During one of my placements, I moved into HR, focusing on improving the graduate scheme within our business unit.
I stayed in HR for a number of years, working in policy, process improvement, and employee relations roles within organisations including Chubb/Alexander Dennis and BOC. I joined SSTL in April 2016 and have since worn a few different hats – HR Manager, Project Manager for NMP and PD, Business Improvement Projects, Mission Projects, and most recently, ‘Engine’ Project Manager.
The satellite missions I’ve worked on include HotSat-1 & 2, CarbSAR, Primus II (technically a ground station project), and the really exciting work we are doing now on the ‘Engine’ will feed into future missions. When you tell people you work in the space industry, they’re always impressed.. it certainly sparks curiosity!
I absolutely loved being part of the HotSat-1 launch and early operations team – it was thrilling to know that something we had designed and built was finally up in space. SSTL is constantly developing new technology to enhance satellite capability and our customer offering.. it’s exciting to be part of a team working right at the forefront of new ideas and innovation.”
Thanks Jessica for sharing your story.. and for being part of the SSTL journey from HR to the heart of our mission programmes. It is people like you who show that there’s no single path to space!