Electric Propulsion Engineer

Viridian Space Corporation; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Paid unlimited vacation

Employee equity options

Job summary

Viridian Space Corporation in El Segundo, California, is seeking an Electric Propulsion (EP) Engineer to redesign our Hall Effect Thruster prototype, build a new air-run version and test it in a third-party vacuum chamber, and drive toward a flight-qualified thruster. The role requires hands-on experience with plasma physics, thruster hardware, and flight hardware development, plus Python and SolidWorks.

You will collaborate with the Electrical Engineer on the Power Processing Unit and with the

Qualifications

• You should know how to build and test a Hall thruster.
• Understanding thruster failure modes.
• Experience building flight hardware.

Responsibilities

• Redesign our early Hall Effect Thruster prototype
• Build the new version of the thruster that can run on air and test it in a third-party vacuum chamber
• Achieve performance necessary performance metrics (thrust, isp, efficiency, lifetime)
• Perform rapid iteration to create a flight qualified version of the thruster
• Work with our Electrical Engineer on the design and test of the Power Processing Unit (PPU)
• Work with our Electromechanical Engineer on the design and test of the Flow Control System (FCS)

Skills

Plasma Physics

Magnetic field simulator software

Designing and building flight hardware

Python

Solidworks

Job description

Viridian Space Corporation is an early-stage, space technology start-up located in El Segundo (Los Angeles), California. Viridian’s mission is to commercialize a new generation of agile, refuellable satellites and to unlock commercial access to Very Low Earth Orbits, far below where traditional Low Earth Orbit satellites fly. We are looking for energetic and talented people to join our team to support hardware prototyping, culminating in the flight of our novel plasma propulsion system.

The Role

Here is what we expect an Electric Propulsion (EP) Engineer to do in the first year at the company

(please don’t apply if you don’t feel comfortable doing any of these tasks):

• Redesign our early Hall Effect Thruster prototype
• Build the new version of the thruster that can run on air and test it in a third-party vacuum chamber
• Achieve performance necessary performance metrics (thrust, isp, efficiency, lifetime)
• Perform rapid iteration to create a flight qualified version of the thruster
• Work with our Electrical Engineer on the design and test of the Power Processing Unit (PPU)
• Work with our Electromechanical Engineer on the design and test of the Flow Control System (FCS)

Essential skills

• You should know how to build and test a Hall thruster
• Understanding thruster failure modes
• Experience building flight hardware

You must be very good at

• Plasma Physics
• Magnetic field simulator software
• Designing and building flight hardware
• Python
• Solidworks

You will love this job if

• You are a tinkerer
• You love making things with your hands
• You have self-motivation to drive forward improvements as you see fit
• You enjoy working both independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative environment
• You love finding solutions to problems
• You pay close attention to details
• 401(k)
• Paid unlimited vacation
• Employee equity options

This position will require obtaining and maintaining DoD Secret clearance. Jobs restricted by these regulations are contingent upon the applicant’s status as a documented U.S. Person and good standing with the law.