Valve Design Engineer

Orbex are looking for two valve design engineers to work with our valve design lead, you will be responsible for the design, development and test of high-pressure hydraulic and cryogenic valves across both propulsion and structural fluid systems. You will need a good mixture of theoretical and practical understanding, ideally including experience with real-world practical problem-solving, testing and integration. 

Orbex

Orbex is a leading micro-launch company with our Prime vehicle being prepared to launch from our home spaceport, Space Hub Sutherland. We are well placed to be one of the first operational micro-launch companies in Europe with over €85m of project financing secured, a number of customers signed up, our launch licence application submitted, and backing from organisations including UKSA and ESA.

We are a rapidly growing company with staff located between our production and test facilities in Forres, Scotland and Copenhagen, Denmark. Working on cutting-edge advances in rocket fuel technology, Prime’s carbon footprint is up to 96% lower than comparable vehicles, leading to innovations in propulsion and tank structures. A state-of-the-art re-flight system means we can recover and reuse our technology, and innovations in separation mechanisms mean we leave no debris on orbit.

Having developed in-house production capability, we can 3D print complex engines, produce full-scale carbon composite fuel tanks, and have avionics and software testing labs in both Scotland and Denmark. Based in Forres, you will be right in the heart of this fast-paced cutting-edge company, gaining a unique insight into what it takes to build a new launch vehicle for a buoyant commercial market.

The Position

Responsibilities

Role:

• Looking for an experienced engineer who can assist the lead valve design engineer with the design, development and qualification of mission-critical fluid components and systems including valves and associated mechanisms such as actuation.
• Using high-level requirements to establish designs from the conceptual level through to flight-ready detailed designs.
• Work within a multi-disciplinary company to establish requirements to drive future design.
• Producing analytical/numerical models to be integrated with launch vehicle FES.
• Working with in-house and external production teams to design, produce and integrate flight-grade propulsion hardware.
• Working with in-house teams to facilitate and conduct propulsion development test campaigns and qualification testing.
•  Producing and maintaining detailed design and test documentation.

Key Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field.
• Proven industry experience in the design of hydraulic systems, valves and valve components, valve actuators, and associated control components.
• Experienced in the integration and testing of fluid control systems.
• Mechanical CAD Design, GD & T.
• CAD / CFD experience, Solidworks / Ansys or StarCCM preferred

Desirable Skills and Experience

• ERP software experience desirable.
• Strong proven knowledge of manufacturing and quality techniques commonly applied in rocket propulsion technology, specific emphasis on additive manufacturing desired.
• Cryogenic experience preferable.
• Experience including liquid oxygen is preferable.

Personality

Orbex is a high-paced, startup culture where you will be encouraged to take assume responsibility for tasks and see them through.

It is imperative that you take initiative, communicate openly and can collaborate with technical and non technical team members.

You must be able to thrive in an international, diverse and multicultural environment.

Location

This role is based in Copenhagen at Orbex’s Danish propulsion engineering and manufacturing site with significant time expected at our test site in Faxe.

You will be spending time both at the factory and our nearby rocket engine testing site, with occasional travel to our main factory, test and launch sites in Scotland.

Copenhagen is one of Europe's most modern and aesthetically interesting cities. It is regarded as being one of the most livable cities in the world, with a strong reputation for being clean, green and sustainable.

With a huge, active waterfront and a lively social scene, Copenhagen offers a wide range of social activities and leisure opportunities, all with a uniquely Scandinavian flair. Activities include cycling and sailing, and the centre of the city is famed for it's cultural highlights.

Security

You must be a UK or European citizen or from a country that is a signatory to the MTCR convention. You may be required to undergo a criminal record check.

Benefits

For the right candidate, we offer an excellent benefits package that includes:-

• Competitive salary
• An equity stake in the company so you will really benefit from your hard work as the company grows and is successful. 
• Our roles need to be on-site in Copenhagen due to the nature of the position, export controls and security, but we are happy to sponsor visas for you and your family.
• Generous relocation package which includes all legal & visa fees, 1 month of accommodation to help you get settled and a relocation allowance to support the costs of moving.