UK - Fluid Systems Engineer

Orbit Fab; Harwell; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Orbit Fab, based at Harwell Campus in the United Kingdom, seeks a Fluid Systems Engineer to advance fluid components and propulsion subsystems for in‑orbit refuelling missions. You will work across development phases from early concepts through testing and delivery, applying hardware-centric, iterative approaches to meet schedules and budgets.

A successful candidate will bring broad fluid systems or propulsion experience and collaborate with engineers, customers, and suppliers to deliver robust

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience developing fluid components or subsystems from requirements and concept through design, prototyping, testing, and key milestones.
• Collaboration with space systems engineering teams.
• Experience developing verification plans and supporting qualification campaigns.
• Deep knowledge in fluid systems design/development or space systems engineering.

Responsibilities

• Define and develop fluid system architectures for UK/European in‑orbit refuelling missions.
• Develop preliminary and detailed fluid system designs with analysis and modelling.
• Support business development from an engineering perspective.
• Manage schedules, system requirements and design budgets.
• Lead hands‑on build and testing of development models.
• Support flight hardware AIT, qualification and acceptance testing.

Skills

Fluid systems

Space propulsion

Hardware development

Systems engineering

Customer needs

Communication

Education

BS degree

MS degree

PhD

Tools

EcosimPro

Thermal Desktop

Modelica

Dymola

Job description

ROLE PURPOSE

As a Fluid Systems Engineer, you will contribute to the development of the technologies and fluid systems that enable in-orbit refuelling. This includes fluidic components, subsystems, and the wider fluid and propulsion systems supporting Orbit Fab's refuelling missions.

Youwill support early phase work as well as later phase development, integration,and testing through to acceptance and delivery.A strong candidate will call upon a breadth of experience developing components and subsystems in space propulsion and related fields, pursuing a hardware centric iterative approach to deliver on time and on budget.

The successful candidate will bring broad experience in fluid systems, propulsion, or a related engineering discipline, together with a practical, hardware-focused approach to iterative development. You will work closely with engineers across the company and with external customers and suppliers to deliver robust technical solutions to challenging schedules and budgets.

We have described the skills, qualifications, and experience that would be valuable to the team, but you do not need to meet every criterion. Aptitude for solving complex technical problems, combined with practical experience designing, building, and testing hardware, is more important than any specific qualification, software tool, or career path.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Contribute to the definition and development of fluid system architectures for major UK and European in-orbit refuelling missions.

• Develop preliminary and detailed fluid system designs, supported byappropriate analysisand modelling.

• Support BD activities from an engineering perspectiveasrequired

• Manage andmaintaindevelopment schedules, systems requirements, and design budgets

• Guide systems engineering processes andfacilitatetechnical trades across the system

• Supporttechnical reviews andtechnical decision-making processes and development

• Plan, specify and follow upsimulations and test campaigns to verify subsystem and components performance and requirements compliance.

• Leadhands-onbuild andtesting ofdevelopment models ofcomponents and subsystems

• Support flight hardware AIT activities, qualification, acceptance testing, and delivery asrequired.

• Identifytechnical issues and proactively implement resolutions to mitigate schedule and cost impacts

• Identifysuppliersand overseecomponentselection

• Provide technical mentorship tomore juniorteam members

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND ATTRIBUTES

• Demonstrated experience developing fluid components or subsystems from requirements and concept through design, prototyping, testing, and key development milestones.

• Demonstrated collaboration with space systems engineering teams

• Experience developing verification plans and supporting or leading qualification, acceptance, or performance test campaigns.

• Deep knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Fluid systems design and development

• Fluid components design and development

• Fluidic system analysis

• Space systems engineering

• Experience defining customer needs and crafting engineering requirements, including a proven ability to successfully push back on unnecessary or mission affecting customer requirements.

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal

• BS degree andthreeyears of related engineering experience, or

• MS degree in related field andtwoyears of related engineering experience, or Ph.D. in related field

NICE TO HAVE

• Experience taking components or subsystems through the full development lifecycle, including flight operations.

• Experience with fluid and thermal analysis tools such asEcosimPro, Thermal Desktop,Dymola,Modelica, or equivalent.

• Experience with spacecraft propulsion systems and/or high-pressure fluid systems.

• Understanding of the spacecraft propulsion and fluidcomponentsupply chain.

• Experience developing both low-cost technology demonstrators and higher-budget flight systems.

• Experience working in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary hardware development environment.

• Experience working directly with customers, suppliers, and external technical partners.

Research shows that while men apply to jobs where they meet an average of 60% of the criteria, women and other marginalized people tend to only apply when they meet 100% of the qualifications. At Orbit Fab, we value respectful debate and people who aren't afraid to challenge assumptions. We strongly encourage you to apply if you feel you would succeed in the role above.

SALARY

Competitive salarydepending on experience.

LOCATION AND BENEFITS

The UK Orbit Fab office is based at Harwell Campus, the UK's preeminent gateway to the space industry, and only a short drive from Oxford with convenient access to London.

We offer a range of benefits that can be discussed during the interview process.

ELIGIBILITY

Candidate musthaveright to work in the UK.

Orbit Fab is an equal opportunity employer, committed to being a diverse and inclusive place in which our talent can thrive. As such, Orbit Fab does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organisation, retaliation, parental status, military service, other non-merit factor or any other protected characteristic or protected category recognised by the law of jurisdictions in which we operate. All hiring and recruitment decisions made at Orbit Fab are subject to Orbit Fab's compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements.