Senior Systems Engineer 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.

As Senior Systems Engineer, you’ll provide experience, insight, and practical problem-solving abilities for complex space systems. You will contribute to multiple concept and flight development programmes, including subsystem development and flight of a full mission. Working with colleagues and partners across Europe you will put in place robust system architectures and clear set of requirements to enable innovative satellite servicing missions. A strong candidate will call upon a breadth of experience developing systems within budget and on time. You’ll bring knowledge and passion in space systems engineering (specifically, experience across both big and small space missions at a variety of institutions) or other complex systems.

What you’ll do:

• Define the system architecture for refuelling vehicles, interfacing with all subsystem leads, external partners and key suppliers.
• Oversee and perform analysis and modelling of the spacecraft system.
• Manage development schedules, systems requirements, and design budgets.
• Guide systems engineering processes and facilitate technical trades across disciplines.
• Trade‑off and control platform systems budgets e.g. mass, power, data, fuel.
• Perform top‑level mission analysis and support the buildup of internal tools.
• Produce mission‑level test and verification plans.
• Produce mission‑level FMECA and FDIR.
• Coordinate rapid feasibility studies into different scenarios and architectures.
• Maintain configuration control of systems work and documentation.
• Support proposal writing as required from a systems engineering perspective.

Qualifications:

• 6+ years experience of systems engineering through the entire lifecycle - taking a spacecraft system from concept phase through prototyping, detailed design, AIT, launch and operations.
• Demonstrated leadership and collaboration with space systems engineering teams.
• Experience with generation of verification and validation plans as well as executing qualification campaigns.
• Deep knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas: Spacecraft systems, Sensors and Optical Systems, Flight Software Development, Orbital Mechanics, Structures, Mechanisms, Propulsion Systems and Fluid Components, Spacecraft Operations.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

Nice To Haves:

• Experience of working in a startup environment.
• Experience of working on European‑wide missions with multinational consortiums.
• Experience in in‑orbit servicing missions.
• Understanding of the spacecraft supply chain.
• Experience with both low and high budget space system development.

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. Competitive salary (based on experience).

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. 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.