Engines & Fluids Technician (Launch Operations)

Gilmour Space Technologies; Bowen; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Gilmour Space Technologies in Bowen, North Queensland, Australia, requires an Engines & Fluids Technician (Launch Operations) to join our team at Australia\'s first orbital Launch Site. You will assemble, test and maintain propulsion and fluid systems, work with multi-disciplinary teams, and support launch campaigns with strict safety and quality standards.

The role involves reading engineering drawings, performing functional and pressure tests, and maintaining detailed records.

Qualifications

• Trade or technical qualification in mechanical, aerospace or related discipline.
• Experience with mechanical, engine, fluid, pneumatic, hydraulic or pressure systems.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, P&IDs, schematics, specs and procedures.
• Experience with mechanical assembly, inspection, maintenance, servicing and troubleshooting.
• Experience performing or supporting pressure testing, leak testing, functional checks and system verification.
• Competent use of hand tools, torque equipment, measuring instruments and workshop/test equipment.
• Strong health and safety understanding and ability to follow procedures and checklists.
• Ability to maintain accurate technical, maintenance and test records.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Willingness to work flexible hours during campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Perform assembly, installation, integration, inspection, and maintenance of propulsion and fluid systems.
• Prepare and configure propellant, pressurisation and other fluid systems for testing and launch operations.
• Conduct functional, leak and pressure tests and system verification.
• Support engine integration, servicing, checkout and test operations.
• Operate and maintain ground support equipment for propulsion and fluid-system ops.
• Execute pre-launch and post-launch inspections, decontamination and safing activities.
• Monitor propulsion parameters and identify abnormalities or faults.
• Troubleshoot propulsion and fluid-system faults and assist root-cause investigations.
• Read engineering drawings and technical docs to guide work.
• Maintain records of inspections, test results and status.
• Support launch campaigns and field operations including transport, pad prep and countdown.
• Collaborate with propulsion, mechanical, electrical and systems teams to resolve issues.
• Adhere to safety, quality and hazardous-materials handling requirements.
• Participate in continuous improvement to enhance reliability and safety.
• Maintain readiness of tools and equipment for propulsion operations.
• Contribute to development of procedures, checklists and documentation.
• May require shift, on-call or extended hours during campaigns.
• Other duties as assigned by Management

Skills

Mechanical Engineering

Fitting & Machining

Fluid Power

Aerospace

Automotive

Related discipline

Hand tools

Torque equipment

Measuring instruments

Education

Trade or technical qualification

Tools

Hand tools

Torque equipment

Measuring instruments

Job description

All Orbits, All Planets - Join us on our journey

Gilmour Space is a leading Australian space company, developing launch vehicles, satellite platforms, advanced propulsion technologies; and launching from our licensed orbital spaceport in Bowen, North Queensland.

Are you a creative and experienced 'Engines & Fluids Technician (Launch Operations)' looking for a dynamic role where your skills will make a real impact? Have you ever dreamt of working with rockets right here in Australia? Well now’s your chance! Gilmour Space is seeking a talented individual to join our innovative team to send rockets to Space! Conveniently located in Bowen, North QLD near some of the best beaches in the world and sunsets, you will be based at Australia's first orbital Launch Site. So, what are you waiting for? Join us and be a part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to pushing the boundaries of space exploration and let’s send Australia to Space together!

How you will contribute to our mission in getting Australia to space:

The below is designed to give you an idea of the role you will play. There will be many more exciting and innovative things to do:

• Perform assembly, installation, integration, inspection, and maintenance of launch vehicle propulsion and fluid systems, including engines, tanks, valves, pumps, regulators, tubing, hoses, and associated hardware.
• Prepare and configure propellant, pressurisation, pneumatic, hydraulic, cryogenic, and other fluid systems for vehicle testing and launch operations.
• Conduct functional checks, leak checks, pressure tests, proof tests, and system verification activities in accordance with approved procedures.
• Support engine integration, installation, servicing, checkout, and test operations, including pre-test and post-test inspections.
• Operate and maintain ground support equipment (GSE) used for propulsion and fluid-system operations.
• Execute detailed pre-launch and post-launch inspections, servicing, decontamination, draining, purging, and system safing activities.
• Monitor propulsion and fluid-system parameters during testing and identify abnormal conditions, leaks, faults, or equipment degradation.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, fluid, pneumatic, and propulsion-system faults and assist engineering teams with root-cause investigations.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings, P&IDs, schematics, work instructions, specifications, and technical documentation.
• Perform precision mechanical assembly, torqueing, tubing installation, component replacement, and configuration control activities.
• Maintain accurate records of inspections, test results, equipment status, configuration changes, defects, and maintenance activities.
• Support launch campaigns and field operations, including vehicle transport, pad preparation, countdown activities, and recovery/safing operations as required.
• Work closely with propulsion, mechanical, electrical, avionics, systems engineering, and launch operations teams to resolve technical issues.
• Ensure all work is performed in accordance with safety, quality, hazardous-materials, contamination-control, and configuration-management requirements.
• Participate in continuous improvement activities to improve reliability, maintainability, turnaround time, and operational safety.
• Maintain readiness of tools, test equipment, consumables, spares, and specialist equipment required for propulsion operations.
• Contribute to development and improvement of work instructions, maintenance procedures, test procedures, checklists, and operational documentation.
• Participate in shift, on-call, and extended-hours operations during critical test and launch campaigns when required.
• Other duties as required by Management

Minimum Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• Trade or technical qualification in Mechanical Engineering, Fitting and Machining, Fluid Power, Aerospace, Automotive, or a related discipline.
• Practical experience withmechanical, engine, fluid, pneumatic, hydraulic, or pressure systems.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, P&IDs, schematics, specifications, and technical procedures.
• Experience with mechanical assembly, inspection, maintenance, servicing, and troubleshooting.
• Experience performing or supportingpressure testing, leak testing, functional checks, and system verification.
• Competent use of hand tools, torque equipment, measuring instruments, and relevant workshop/test equipment.
• Strong understanding of workplace health and safety and safe work practices.
• High attention to detail and ability to follow controlled procedures, checklists, and work instructions.
• Ability to maintain accurate technical, maintenance, and test records.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Ability to work flexibly during test and launch campaigns, including extended or shift-based operations when required.
• NV1 Security Clearance eligible preferred

Desired Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• Experience in aerospace, launch vehicles, propulsion, defence, aviation, motorsport, or another safety-critical industry.
• Experience working with cryogenic, high-pressure, pneumatic, hydraulic, or propellant systems.
• Experience with rocket engines, engine test stands, ground support equipment (GSE), or launch-site operations.
• Relevant licences or certifications such as high-risk work, confined space, working at heights, lifting/rigging, or hazardous materials handling.
• Experience with configuration management, non-conformance reporting, root-cause analysis, and continuous improvement.
• Familiarity with quality management systems and regulated engineering environments.
• Experience working within AS/NZS, ISO, aerospace, defence, or other applicable industry standards.
• Experience operating in a fast-paced, high-reliability engineering or test environment.

Applicants must be an Australian Citizen/Permanent Resident or have an appropriate Australian work visa or work entitlements.

Gilmour Space Technologies is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for all positions.