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Propulsion, Thermal, Fluids Engineer

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Orbit Fab

Propulsion, Thermal, Fluids Engineer

Denver, CO
Full Time
Paid
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  • Responsibilities

    We describe here the skills, qualifications, and responsibilities that we need to have as a team. You don't need all of them. Your aptitude for complex technical challenges and your practical experience designing/building/coding stuff will trump specific qualification or tools any day!

    RESPONSIBLE ENGINEER FLUID SYSTEMS

    • We are creating the in-orbit infrastructure needed to get humans into space, starting with the first in-orbit propellant depot. Everyone here is building that. So will you.
    • At Orbit Fab we move fast, break barriers, and change the way space missions work.
    • We're looking for the best minds, backed by a practical can-do attitude. To design, build, and test flight hardware and software, you will work shoulder-to-shoulder with engineers who are just as committed to doing quality work as you.
    • We describe here the skills, qualifications, and responsibilities that we need to have as a team. You don't need all of them. Your aptitude for complex technical challenges and your practical experience designing/building/coding stuff will trump specific qualifications or tools any day!
    • Your days will consist of the mechanical design and manufacturing of spacecraft propellant feed systems, valves and other propulsion systems in order to aid the development, testing, and production of Orbit Fab's technologies to enable an On-Orbit Propellant supply for the 21st century of space innovation.
    • As an engineer on Orbit Fab's programs, you'll exercise your first-principles design approach and practical problem solving for complex space systems. We are impressed by people with a breadth of experience developing systems under-budget and on time.
    • This is not a management position, we want you to spend your time doing the engineering you are passionate about. Over time as the team grows you could grow into the technical leader for propulsion systems, thermal and/or fluids.
    • You bring years of experience, knowledge, and passion to the team in the following disciplines: Mechanical, Manufacturing, Fluids, Thermal, Propulsion and assembly, integration, and test (AIT).
    • Orbit Fab is relocating to Colorado at the end of 2021 and all roles will be based in CO as of January 2022. You will support a diverse team of talented engineers across multiple projects. You will lead the technical development of projects that suit your areas of focus.
    • We can't guarantee that you won't turn wrenches and tick checklists, because even our CEO turns wrenches and ticks checklists when needed. But you will learn from great engineers, you will share your own knowledge and insights with great engineers, and your contribution will make a difference.

    PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

    • Work across the entire team to share technical strength in Mechanical Engineering, including thermal, fluids, and manufacturing, assembly, integration, and test.
    • Develop and flight qualify fluid transfer interfaces for flight, to work with fluids including liquid monopropellants, xenon, and others.
    • Assist in developing the end-to-end satellite refueling process, including 'docking mission' design, development, and flight operations.
    • Simulate, develop and flight qualify tanks, valves, pumps and feed systems for; supercritical fluids such as xenon, liquid monopropellants, and highly corrosive oxidizers.
    • Design, build, modify, and troubleshoot fluid systems (low and high pressure gasses, cryogenics, and rocket propellants)
    • Design, build, modify, and troubleshoot data acquisition and control systems (sensors, electromechanical actuators, programmable controllers)
    • Fabricate, construct, assemble and operate thermal-fluids integral effect tests
    • Develop procedures for experiment operation and data collection.

    OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

    • Lead the development of early cryo-technologies for future programs.
    • Assist in defining and documenting the company's product manufacturing / quality assurance processes.
    • Technical decision-making and development across various space systems disciplines.
    • Lead technical reviews.
    • Guide mechanical engineering processes and facilitate technical trades across the system.
    • Identify technical issues and proactively implement resolutions to mitigate schedule and cost impacts.
    • Participate in the development of systems engineering products, spacecraft architecture, trade studies, requirements development, verification, and validation plans.
    • Identify vendors and oversee spacecraft fluid components selection.
    • Provide technical mentorship to team members and monitor the technical integrity of all team member contributions.
    • Contribute technical knowledge around your areas of expertise to proposal development and writing.
    • Ensure that the mechanical, thermal, and fluid subsystems integrate successfully with other systems during all phases of development and operations.

    EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS, AND CHARACTERISTICS

    • Bachelor's degree or higher in engineering, physics, mathematics, or another related discipline.
    • 3+ years of experience in spacecraft fluid or propulsion system design, development, test, and operations, preferably across multiple flight projects/programs (Internships included).
    • Experience with control and data acquisition software, and instrument calibration, required
    • Experience working in a laboratory or industrial environment on thermal-fluids testing preferred, along with experience using associated laboratory equipment and instrumentation
    • Experience with thermal-fluids analysis and modeling preferred
    • Knowledge of process design including process flow diagrams, P&IDs, drawings, sizing, layout, and equipment specifications.
    • Working knowledge of industry standards applicable to fluid systems such as ASME, AWS, as well as federal regulations including CFR, ANSI, OSHA, Air Force (AFSPCMAN 91-710) and/or NASA Range Safety requirement sets.
    • Ability to work independently and take on own tasks, including 'blank page engineering' and engineering from first principles.
    • Knowledge of in-space propulsion, thermal and fluids, including high pressure/temperature systems; mechanisms and structures including valves and seals; and spacecraft propellant feed systems.
    • Understanding of spacecraft assembly, integration, and test procedures.
    • Familiarity with of the spacecraft component supply chain and contacts or relationships with vendors across the supply chain.
    • Experience defining customer needs and crafting engineering requirements, including a proven ability to successfully push back on unnecessary or mission affecting customer requirements. Systems mindset fundamentals.
    • You share our appreciation for a diversity of thoughts, backgrounds and experiences, helping us all learn from each other and make smarter decisions.
    • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. Ability to act as a thought leader, communicating your area of expertise to external interests including customers, competitors, suppliers, and other stakeholders.
    • Ability to travel (5% to 10% time expected), including international travel as needed (Pending COVID resolution).

    WE'LL BE EXCITED IF YOU HAVE:

    • 5+ years of experience in aerospace propulsion, oil and gas or other complex fluid system design
    • Masters, Ph.D., or another advanced degree in engineering, physics, math, or related discipline.
    • Experience with both low and high budget space system development.
    • Experience with spacecraft and spacecraft subsystem design.
    • Experience with spacecraft and subsystem environment definition (radiation, structural loads, thermal, EMI/EMC, orbital debris, etc.) and design approaches (at LEO, GEO, and beyond).
    • Experience with Spacecraft propulsion systems and high pressure systems.
    • Experience with human spaceflight systems (i.e ISS ECLSS).
    • Experience with spacecraft and spacecraft subsystem fabrication, assembly, and test; understanding of qualification, acceptance, and proto-flight verification approaches.
    • Experience with design and operation of hazardous systems – cryogenic, flammable, hypergolic, pyrophoric, high-pressure, etc.
    • Experience using electromechanical instrumentation and control hardware and software
    • Previous experience working in a diverse, multi-disciplined team.

    IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

    _IF YOU DON'T THINK YOU COMPLETELY FIT ALL THESE JOB REQUIREMENTS APPLY ANYWAY! _

    TO CONFORM TO US GOVERNMENT SPACE TECHNOLOGY EXPORT REGULATIONS, APPLICANTS MUST BE A US CITIZEN, LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENT OF THE US, PROTECTED INDIVIDUAL AS DEFINED BY 8 USC 1324B(A)(3), OR ELIGIBLE TO OBTAIN THE REQUIRED AUTHORIZATION FROM THE US DEPARTMENT OF STATE EEO STATEMENT: “ORBIT FAB INC DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE IN EMPLOYMENT ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX (INCLUDING PREGNANCY AND GENDER IDENTITY), NATIONAL ORIGIN, POLITICAL AFFILIATION, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, MARITAL STATUS, DISABILITY, GENETIC INFORMATION, AGE, MEMBERSHIP IN AN EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION, RETALIATION, PARENTAL STATUS, MILITARY SERVICE, OR OTHER NON-MERIT FACTOR.”