Electric Propulsion Engineer

United States Digital Space LLC; Reading; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Visa sponsorship

Relocation support

Equity stake

Private health insurance

Annual health check-ups

Job summary

Space is seeking an Electric Propulsion Engineer to own the design of our RF gridded ion thruster, from concept to flight configuration, for the NEO-1 and future platforms.

You will build test rigs, run campaigns, analyze results, and collaborate with mechanical, electrical and control engineers to push iterations toward flight-ready hardware.

On-site work with one remote day per week is available; visa sponsorship and relocation support are offered.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of RF gridded ion thrusters, including RF plasma generation and ion optics.
• Hands-on propulsion testing experience with RF generators and high-voltage power supplies.
• Experience with vacuum systems, data acquisition and diagnostic tools.
• Solid grounding in plasma physics, modelling and ionisation processes.
• Willingness to design, build and test own hardware and work extended on-site.

Responsibilities

• Own the design of RF gridded ion thruster and performance calculations from concept to flight configuration.
• Iterate rapidly to support NEO-1 and customer thruster deliveries.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical and control engineers on each iteration of the propulsion system.
• Design and build test rigs and equipment for propulsion testing.
• Assemble and operate test hardware, electronics and vacuum facilities.
• Run propulsion tests and analyze results to drive design changes.
• Plan and run test campaigns and document configurations with traceable results.

Skills

RF gridded ion thrusters

Electric propulsion testing

Vacuum systems

Plasma physics

Hardware design

Python/MATLAB scripting

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Job description

CompanyNewOrbit builds satellites that fly in very low Earth orbit, below 300 km, along with the electric propulsion that keeps them there.

Flying closer to Earth means sharper imagery from smaller optics, and an orbit that cleans itself: our satellites de-orbit within a month at end of life, leaving no debris.

Our AURA family of RF gridded ion thrusters powers our own NEO-1 satellite, with first flight planned for Q3 2028, and is also offered to other operators.

RoleElectric propulsion is what lets our satellites hold very low orbits, and our AURA RF gridded ion thruster is at the centre of it.

As Electric Propulsion Engineer, you own the design of that thruster: you calculate it, design it, build it, test it in our own vacuum facilities and feed what you learn straight into the next iteration.

You own the testing of your own designs, and your results decide what flies.

ResponsibilitiesDesign

• Own the design of our RF gridded ion thruster and its performance calculations, from concept to flight configuration.

• Iterate rapidly to support NEO-1 and our customer thruster deliveries.

• Work with mechanical, electrical and control engineers on each new iteration of the ion propulsion system.

Build and test

• Design and build the test rigs and equipment for propulsion testing.

• Assemble and operate test hardware, electronics and vacuum facilities.

• Run electric propulsion tests on your own designs and analyse the results.

• Plan and run the test campaigns for your own designs.

Verify

• Turn test results into design changes, then re-test.

• Document every test configuration and result so it gives traceable evidence for system verification and qualification.

RequirementsEssential

• Strong knowledge of RF gridded ion thrusters, including RF plasma generation, ion optics and neutralisation.

• Hands-on electric propulsion testing, ideally with RF generators, high-voltage power supplies and thrust balances.

• Experience with vacuum systems (pumps, gauges, valves), power supplies, fluid management (high-pressure gas tanks, mass flow controllers) and data acquisition.

• Solid grounding in plasma physics, modelling, diagnostics and ionisation processes.

• Willingness to design, build and test your own hardware, and to work extended hours on-site.

Nice to have

• Experience taking a thruster from design through qualification to flight hardware.

• Scripting for data analysis and test automation (Python or MATLAB).

• Experience running thrusters on more than one propellant, such as xenon, krypton or air.

Why the company Space?

Pioneering space technology - Your work on our RF gridded ion thrusters and VLEO satellite platform will redefine satellite operations and challenge traditional LEO.

• Ownership and impact - You'll have a level of ownership that's rare in the space industry, and you'll take part in the full lifecycle of satellite technology.

• Equity and competitive salary - Alongside a competitive salary you receive a company ownership stake, so you share in the technology you help build and in our collective success.

• Comprehensive benefits - Private health insurance with dental and optical cover, and annual health check-ups.

• Hybrid working - One dedicated remote day per week.

• Visa sponsorship and relocation support - We sponsor visas and provide relocation support for candidates moving to join us.