UK - AIT Engineer

Orbit Fab's mission is to create the foundational infrastructure that will fuel a bustling in-space economy, capable of sustaining permanent jobs in space. Today, satellites cannot be refueled, which severely constrains their mobility and inhibits the development of economic activities in space. 

Orbit Fab breaks the single-use paradigm, pioneering our Gas Stations in Space™ refueling infrastructure and RAFTI™ technology to deliver propellant in space, enabling lower-cost satellite construction, increased maneuverability, precise control, and extended lifespans. The possibilities are unprecedented, opening the doors to unimagined operational strategies and business models. 

Since our establishment in 2018, we have already achieved the successful launch of three tankers to space. With offices in both the US and UK, we are working in close collaboration with partners and customers across the space industry. Orbit Fab is rapidly ramping up capabilities and requires exceptional talent to tackle important challenges. Our roles offer wide ranging opportunities to have a demonstrable impact and enable a bustling space economy.

About the role

As an AIT Engineer, you will contribute to the build, development, and test of refuelling and orbital servicing hardware. Your day-to-day work will be hands-on testing and developing electrical, fluidic, and robotic test articles for spaceflight applications. These will be in support of future spaceflight missions. As part of the AIT Team, you will also contribute to quality control and early process development for hardware production.

What you'll do

• Own the development of spaceflight hardware

• Write and carry out test procedures for spaceflight hardware in early development, qualification, and/or acceptance

• Help develop quality control procedures around the build and test of hardware

• Help develop best working practices in a multi-disciplinary lab

Qualifications

• A degree in a relevant field with 5+ years of experience 

• Experience testing spaceflight hardware

• Experience writing and executing test procedures

• Strong background of working with relevant software (such as C++, Python, MATLAB).

• Experience developing EGSE (automated test scripts and DAQ)

• Experience working in and around QA procedures, including those directed by ECSS-Q-ST-20C

• Experience writing QA documentation and procedures

• Experience with risk and non-conformance management

• Shows initiative by demonstrating personal ownership of hardware development, seeking input from the systems and cross functional engineers.

• Can work autonomously, views work with a critical eye, prepares and gives peer reviews of work prior to critical milestones to peers.

• Collaborative and team focused.

• Excellent communication, analytical, organisational, strategic, statistical, and personal skills.

• An effective sense of urgency and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast paced, small company environment.
  
  

Nice to Have

• Experience with LabVIEW

• Experience with testing robotic hardware

• Experience utilising AI Tools  

• Experience with ISO9001 or AS9100 certifications

• Experience conducting FMEA or root-cause analysis

• Experience with fluid system testing (proof, leak, flow testing)

• Familiarity with In-Orbit Servicing or space Rendezvous, Proximity Operations and Docking sectors.

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 salary depending 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 must have right 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.