RESPONSIBLE ENGINEER FLUID SYSTEMS

• We are creating the in-orbit infrastructure needed to get humans into space, starting with the first in orbiting 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 qualification 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-principals 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).
• The day-to-day work will take place in the San Francisco, though a new facility is planned for the US Mountain States. 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, and feed systems for; supercritical fluids such as xenon, liquid monopropellants, and highly corrosive oxidizers.
• Lead the development of early cryo-technologies for future programs.
• Assist in defining and documenting the company's product manufacturing / quality assurance processes.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Define, review, critique, and redefine our engineering 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.
• 5+ years of experience in spacecraft fluid or propulsion system design, development, test, and operations, preferably across multiple flight projects/programs.
• Ability to work independently and take on own tasks, including 'blank page engineering' and engineering from first principals.
• Experience taking a product from concept phase through prototyping, launch, and operation.
• Knowledge of in-space propulsion, thermal and fluids, including high pressure/temperature systems; mechanisms and structures including valves and seals; and spacecraft fuel feed systems.
• Experience developing flight hardware for Air Force and/or NASA Range Safety requirement sets (or similar safety specification). Understanding of spacecraft assembly, integration, and test procedures.
• Passing familiarity with multiple spacecraft engineering disciplines, with the confidence to independently analyze, design, prototype and oversee flight qualification in at least one such discipline.
• Familiarity with of the spacecraft component supply chain and contacts or relationships with vendors cross the supply chain.
• Experience with key mission design, detailed analysis, and engineering management tools: circuit design/modeling software (we use Altium), 3D parametric CAD software, STK, Matlab, Asana, Valispace or similar.
• Experience defining customer needs and crafting engineering requirements, including a proven ability to successfully push back on unnecessary or mission affecting customer requirements.
• 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:

• 10+ years of experience in satellite design, development, test, and operations.
• 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 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.
• Previous experience working in a diverse, multi-disciplined team.

CULTURE

• Orbit Fab's culture is built around our customers and our team. We focus on being radically transparent, reliable, customer centric, and driven, whilst maintain the ability to disagree, constantly seeking critique and reinforcing an endless questioning for what is the most reliable, best way to solve a problem.  As a startup we value the ability to thrive with uncertainty and love blank page engineering.  Orbit Fab is building a diverse team to enable robust decision making at all levels.

Important Information:

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.