RCS/AOCS Engineer (m/f/d)

Key Responsibilities

• Design, analysis, and development of the reaction control system (RCS)/attitude control system (ACS) for a suborbital sounding rocket and orbital launch vehicle.
• Define system architecture including thruster selection and placement, components and propellant budgeting to meet attitude control requirements across all mission phases.
• Perform performance analysis including thrust level sizing, specific impulse modelling, and propellant consumption budgeting to validate system margins across the full mission profile.
• Develop and own the RCS/ACS system requirements, cascading from vehicle-level pointing and stabilisation requirements down to component-level specifications for thrusters, valves, regulators, sensors, and pressure vessels.
• Produce and maintain P&IDs, interface control documents, and system schematics.
• Work with the flight dynamics and GNC team to ensure thruster configuration and performance characteristics are correctly modelled in the attitude control simulation, and support the tuning of control algorithms as required.
• Define and support the execution ground test programmes including cold flow testing, thruster characterization and system-level functional testing.
• Ensure RCS design complies with all relevant safety requirements for high-pressure systems and compressed gas handling.
• Support system integration and verification activities.

Basic Qualification

• Master’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• 2+ years of experience in aerospace industry.
• Understanding of propulsion principles including thrust generation, specific impulse, nozzle design, and pressurant budgeting.
• Experience in system requirements development and the ability to flow requirements down from vehicle level to component specifications.
• Proficiency in fluid system modelling and performance analysis tools.
• Experience producing engineering documentation including P&IDs, ICDs, and test procedures.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Fluent oral and written English, German is a plus.

Desired Experience

• Hands-on experience designing or testing a cold gas or monopropellant RCS for a launch vehicle, sounding rocket, spacecraft, or re-entry system.
• Familiarity with helium or nitrogen cold gas systems including component selection for solenoid valves, pressure regulators, check valves, and COTS thruster assemblies.
• Experience working with a GNC or flight dynamics team to validate system configuration and support control law development.
• Understanding of suborbital and orbital flight profiles and the specific attitude control challenges associated with their missions including separation, coast phase, payload pointing, and re-entry.
• Familiarity with high-pressure system design standards and associated safety considerations for compressed gas systems.
• Familiarity with ECSS, NASA-STD, or equivalent standards applicable to propulsion and pressure system design.

Benefits

• €50 monthly Spendit Card – because it’s the little extras that make a difference.
• Christmas bonus on top.
• Job bike leasing for a sporty and sustainable commute.
• €60 gift for special occasions (birthday, wedding, birth of a child).
• Regular team events – from Christmas parties to adventure offsites.
• 30 days of vacation to fully recharge.
• Flexible working hours (flextime) to match your personal rhythm.
• 1 day of remote work per week.
• Free coffee, tea & water – fuel for big ideas.
• Open, respectful feedback culture at eye level.
• Personal development opportunities through trainings, coaching & language courses.
• Buddy program with structured onboarding, including a welcome package.
• A diverse and inspiring startup environment, where talented people from over 16 nations collaborate to build something extraordinary.
• Hands-on involvement across end-to-end development processes in a fast-growing New Space startup.

Location

Our location in Neuenstadt in the region of Heilbronn offers an ideal combination of rural charm and urban quality of life. Located in the heart of Baden-Württemberg, the region is characterized by its excellent traffic connections and diverse opportunities for leisure activities. This role will be based in Glasgow, Scotland and occasionally there may be requirements to travel to our facilities in Neuenstadt am Kocher, Germany or our test and launch facilities in Shetland.

Equal Employment Opportunity

HyImpulse is committed to building a diverse and inclusive environment. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, age or disability.