Electric Propulsion Engineer
Core
Design, build, and test RF gridded ion thrusters for very low Earth orbit (VLEO) satellites to enable sharp imagery and rapid de-orbiting.
Role type
Senior IC electric propulsion engineer (RF gridded ion thruster)
Builds
RF gridded ion thrusters for NewOrbit's NEO-1 satellite and customer deliveries
Domain
Space propulsion / Electric propulsion
Required skills
RF gridded ion thruster design, RF plasma generation, ion optics, neutralisation, electric propulsion testing, vacuum systems, power supplies, fluid management, data acquisition, plasma physics modelling
Preferred skills
Thruster qualification to flight hardware, scripting for test automation (Python/MATLAB), multi-propellant experience (xenon, krypton, air)
Technologies
RF generators, high-voltage power supplies, thrust balances, vacuum pumps, gauges, valves, mass flow controllers
Responsibilities
Own thruster design from concept to flight configuration, design and operate test rigs in vacuum facilities, analyse test results and iterate designs, document test configurations for verification
Seniority
Senior, hands-on IC