UK - Orbital Refuelling Robotics Engineering Internship in Harwell

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 Internship: Orbit Fab is developing an active refuelling interface called GRASP which acts as the key mechanism for delivering fuel to clients on orbit. This component would enable UK built (and potentially UK launched) fuel shuttle vehicles to perform in‑space refuelling thus fulfilling this critical piece of space infrastructure technology.

To continue progressing the development of GRASP, and tailor it for future demonstration missions, OFL is upgrading the performance of GRASP via design changes from both mechanical and electronics perspectives – to increase its sensitivity, robustness, and resilience in the space environment.

The project to be undertaken will involve supporting the mechanical and electrical design leads of GRASP in modification of the existing design and accompanying development workflow through a combination of the following and/or other relevant activities:

• Research on sensing and instrumentation solutions
• Input to electro‑mechanical design architecture
• Mechanical design of parts and supporting equipment using SolidWorks
• Mechanical analysis of parts and supporting equipment via hand calculations and supporting software
• Selection of COTS components to support prototyping and final design activities
• Support in procurement of test hardware
• Configuration control and management of designs and test hardware
• Possible support in assembly and testing activities with GRASP hardware
• Creation of test plans and associated test hardware specifications and risk assessments, as well as executing tests.
• Build GRASP model and test hardware
• Test software development

A successful applicant should have built something, either software or hardware. We’d love it if that something has flown in space or been used by a customer! You are currently pursuing a Bachelors, Masters, or PhD in a technical discipline especially in the skillsets listed above. You have a demonstrated passion and capacity for hardware or software development, working in fast‑paced environments and hands‑on design and development from any maturity. You share our appreciation for a diversity of thoughts, backgrounds and experiences, helping us all learn from each other and make smarter decisions. You are a UK citizen or have the right to work in the UK.

Minimum Requirements for the role:

• Have experience with or the ability to quickly learn SolidWorks or other CAD packages
• Have experience in the design, build, and testing of hardware (mechanical or electrical)
• Have experience in writing test scripts in Python and/or C++
• Available to be in person at Harwell, Oxfordshire, for a minimum of 3 days a week
• Ability to work well in an integrated collaborative team environment, including frequent interactions with external suppliers, other engineers, other interns, and managers.
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic professional setting with changing needs and requirements.

Bonus Requirements:

• Have experience working with mechanisms
• Have experience with/knowledge of motors and motor drivers (DC, steppers, BLDC)

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. The successful candidate will be paid the 2026 Real Living Wage, for a minimum 8‑week placement with Orbit Fab.

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.