Senior Electric Propulsion Engineer

NewOrbit Space Ltd; Reading; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Join NewOrbit Space Ltd as a key player in developing pioneering electric propulsion systems for satellites. You will manage testing processes and collaborate with engineers to ensure the success of our innovative air-breathing ion propulsion system, contributing to the future of satellite technology.

Benefits

Private health insurance

Annual healthcare check-ups

Company ownership stakes

Qualifications

• 7+ years of relevant experience in electric propulsion.
• Strong knowledge of spacecraft electric propulsion systems.
• Practical experience in electric propulsion testing.

Responsibilities

• Manage the entire testing process of the electric plasma propulsion system.
• Collaborate with engineers to test new iterations of the propulsion system.
• Perform electric propulsion tests and analyze data.

Skills

Electric propulsion systems

Plasma physics

Vacuum systems

Data analysis

Education

PhD in relevant field

Tools

RF generators

High voltage power supplies

Thrust balance

Data acquisition systems

Job description

This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.

At NewOrbit Space, our mission is to engineer the lowest orbiting satellites on Earth to rapidly advance global connectivity and insight.

We are currently building satellites that can breathe air and operate at an altitude of just 200 km - one-third that of conventional satellites. Thanks to our proprietary propulsion system, we can compensate for atmospheric drag at ultra low altitudes using air as propellant.

Please note that as we prepare for our maiden satellite mission, we are in a critical growth phase. Our roles will often require extended hours and are not typical 9-to-6 positions.

Your Role

You will be responsible for calculating, designing, testing, and optimizing the electric plasma propulsion system within our vacuum facilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Owning the system and managing the entire testing process.
• Rapidly iterating new designs, ensuring successful delivery of the demonstration mission.
• Collaborating with mechanical, electrical, and control engineers to test new iterations of the ion propulsion system, ensuring its flawless operation.
• Assembling test hardware and electronics and operating our vacuum facilities.
• Performing electric propulsion tests and analysing data.

Fundamental Requirements

• 7+ years of relevant experience in electric propulsion, which could include a PhD degree.
• Strong knowledge of spacecraft electric propulsion systems (such as RF Thrusters, Hall Effect Thrusters, Gridded Ion Propulsion, and others).
• Practical experience in electric propulsion testing, involving RF generators, high voltage power supplies, and thrust balance.
• Experience working with vacuum systems (pumps, gauges, valves), power supplies, fluidic management systems (compressed gas and mass flow controllers), and data acquisition systems.
• Solid understanding of plasma physics, modelling, diagnostics, and ionisation processes.

Why NewOrbit Space?

• Pioneering Space Technology - Contribute to launching groundbreaking technology into space. Your work on our revolutionary air-breathing ion propulsion system will redefine satellite operations in ultra-low Earth orbits.
• Unmatched Ownership and Impact - Experience a high level of ownership in the full lifecycle of satellite technology.
• Equity and Competitive Salary - Receive a competitive salary and company ownership stakes, sharing in the success of the technology you help develop.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package - Including private health insurance with dental and optical coverage, annual healthcare check-ups, and more.