To design and build such a complicated instrument we have put together a team of people. Each person brings with them their own expertise, knowledge and experience. But the end result is that the team as a whole has the skills needed to get the job done. Such organisation is used often in solar and space science especially on big projects which can be multinational collaborations. The Yohkoh satellite, for example, is a Japanese, UK and US collaboration.
Solar science is an interesting subject.
You can specialise in different areas such as the many effects of the sun on the earth or how to use computers to simulate or model what is happening at the very centre of the sun. You can also work with spacecraft such as SOHO shown here which faithfully observes the sun 24 hours a day. If you enjoyed a visit to a planetarium or looked at the stars with wonder, then becoming a solar or space scientist can give you the chance to follow that interest as a career - and get paid for it. You can still pursue your interest as an Amateur Astronomer. There are astronomical societies right across the United Kingdom and magazines such as Astronomy Now provide very useful information.