Electric Propulsion Test Engineer - Reading

You work shoulder to shoulder with our propulsion engineers. You build the rigs, run the campaigns, find what fails and give the evidence that drives the next design.

Plan and build

• Plan and own the propulsion test campaigns that support NEO-1 and our customer thruster deliveries.

• Design and implement test rigs and equipment for propulsion testing.

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

Test and analyse

• Operate the vacuum system, RF generators, high-voltage supplies, gas feed and thrust balance during electric propulsion tests.

• Run plasma diagnostics and data acquisition, then analyse the results.

• Feed findings back to the design team quickly so each iteration improves on the last.

Verify and document

• Keep clear records of every test configuration and result, giving traceable evidence for system verification and qualification.

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

Essential

• Practical electric propulsion testing experience, 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 systems.

• Working knowledge of RF gridded ion thrusters and of plasma physics, diagnostics and ionisation processes.

• A rigorous approach to test planning, data quality and documentation.

• Willingness to work extended hours on-site.

Nice to have

• Experience with plasma diagnostics such as Langmuir probes or retarding potential analysers.

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

• Experience with test rig design or hardware verification for flight programmes.

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