Propulsion Systems Engineer in Didcot

Aim high, go beyond. At Open Cosmos we are solving the world's biggest challenges from space, providing businesses, governments and researchers access to more readily available information than ever before - ready for the challenge? Then read on…

Working in our Chief Technology Office, the CTO division is where Open Cosmos technology comes to life. Covering engineering, product development, and technical innovation, the team designs, builds, and operates the satellites, systems, and platforms that make our missions possible. It’s a highly collaborative environment where ideas become real hardware, software, and data solutions that deliver impact from space.

The Propulsion Systems Engineer contributes to the design, development, integration, and verification of spacecraft propulsion systems across Open Cosmos missions. The role supports the end-to-end propulsion lifecycle, from requirements definition and architecture trade-offs through integration, testing, and in-orbit performance assessment. Working closely with systems, AOCS, thermal, mechanical, and mission teams, the Propulsion Systems Engineer ensures propulsion solutions are robust, safe, mass- and power-efficient, and aligned with mission objectives including orbit raising, station keeping, collision avoidance, and de-orbiting. This role plays a key part in propulsion performance modelling, requirements management, verification planning, and supporting Assembly, Integration and Test (AIT) campaigns.

What will you be doing?

• Contribute to the design and development of spacecraft propulsion subsystems.
• Support propulsion system architecture definition, including thruster selection, tank sizing, feed systems, and control strategies.
• Perform propulsion performance analysis including: Delta-V budgeting, Propellant mass estimation, Thrust modelling, Manoeuvre simulations in collaboration with AOCS.
• Conduct trade-off studies across propulsion technologies, configurations, and supplier options.
• Define, manage, and trace propulsion requirements at system and subsystem level.
• Develop propulsion verification plans, including qualification and acceptance testing strategies.
• Support environmental, functional, and performance testing of propulsion hardware.
• Contribute to propulsion-related FMECA activities and support FDIR strategy definition.
• Identify and mitigate propulsion-related risks, including safety, contamination, thermal constraints, and structural loads.
• Support integration of propulsion hardware into spacecraft platforms, including mechanical, thermal, electrical, and software interfaces.
• Act as the technical focal point for propulsion suppliers, ensuring compliance with system requirements and delivery milestones.
• Support anomaly investigation during AIT and in-orbit operations.
• Provide propulsion expertise into bids, mission concept studies, and system-level design reviews.
• Contribute to propulsion CONOPS definition and in-orbit manoeuvre strategies.

What you will need to succeed:

• Strong technical knowledge of spacecraft propulsion systems, including electric and/or chemical propulsion architectures.
• Solid understanding of orbital mechanics, manoeuvre planning, and delta-V analysis.
• Proficiency in propulsion performance modelling, analytical methods, and simulation tools.
• Understanding of propulsion system components including thrusters, tanks, feed systems, valves, and control electronics.
• Knowledge of spacecraft subsystem interfaces, particularly AOCS, power, thermal, structural, and software systems.
• Familiarity with spacecraft system budgets (mass, power, thermal, delta-V) and margin management principles.
• Understanding of space qualification standards, verification philosophy, and environmental testing approaches.
• Knowledge of FMECA, safety analysis, reliability engineering, and fault detection, isolation and recovery (FDIR) principles.
• Understanding of propulsion-related risks including contamination, pressurised systems, thermal constraints, and structural loads.
• Knowledge of Assembly, Integration and Test (AIT) processes in a spacecraft development environment.
• Understanding of propellant handling principles, safety constraints, and cleanroom working practices.

This role will be based in any of our locations; Harwell (UK), Porto, Barcelona, Athens. To apply, you must have the legal right to work in the specified locations.

Why Open Cosmos?

• Work at the cutting edge of space technology with customers around the globe.
• A mission-driven company making space accessible to help solve real-world challenges.
• A diverse, ambitious, and supportive team.