Fluid Systems Engineer
Listed on 2026-09-03
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Engineering
Systems Engineer, Aerospace / Aviation / Avionics, Mechanical Engineer
Location: Harwell
ROLE
PURPOSE
As a Fluid Systems Engineer, you will contribute to the development of the technologies and fluid systems that enable in-orbit refuelling. This includes fluidic components, subsystems, and the wider fluid and propulsion systems supporting Orbit Fab's refuelling missions.
Youwill support early phase work as well as later phase development, integration,and testing through to acceptance and delivery.
A strong candidate will call upon a breadth of experience developing components and subsystems in space propulsion and related fields, pursuing a hardware centric iterative approach to deliver on time and on budget.
The successful candidate will bring broad experience in fluid systems, propulsion, or a related engineering discipline, together with a practical, hardware-focused approach to iterative development. You will work closely with engineers across the company and with external customers and suppliers to deliver robust technical solutions to challenging schedules and budgets.
We have described the skills, qualifications, and experience that would be valuable to the team, but you do not need to meet every criterion.
Aptitude for solving complex technical problems, combined with practical experience designing, building, and testing hardware, is more important than any specific qualification, software tool, or career path.
ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES
Contribute to the definition and development of fluid system architectures for major UK and European in-orbit refuelling missions.
Develop preliminary and detailed fluid system designs, supported by appropriate analysis and modelling.
Support BD activities from an engineering perspectiveasrequired
Manage andmaintaindevelopment schedules, systems requirements, and design budgets
Guide systems engineering processes andfacilitatetechnical trades across the system
Supporttechnical reviews and technical decision-making processes and development
Plan, specify and follow upsimulations and test campaigns to verify subsystem and components performance and requirements compliance.
Leadhands-onbuild and testing of development models of components and subsystems
Support flight hardware AIT activities, qualification, acceptance testing, and delivery as required.
Identify technical issues and proactively implement resolutions to mitigate schedule and cost impacts
Identifysuppliersand overseecomponentselection
Provide technical mentorship tomore junior team members
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND ATTRIBUTES
Demonstrated experience developing fluid components or subsystems from requirements and concept through design, prototyping, testing, and key development milestones.
Demonstrated collaboration with space systems engineering teams
Experience developing verification plans and supporting or leading qualification, acceptance, or performance test campaigns.
Deep knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas:
Fluid systems design and development
Fluid components design and development
Fluidic system analysis
Space systems engineering
Experience defining customer needs and crafting engineering requirements, including a proven ability to successfully push back on unnecessary or mission affecting customer requirements.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
BS degree andthreeyears of related engineering experience, or
MS degree in related field andtwoyears of related engineering experience, or Ph.D. in related field
NICE TO HAVE
Experience taking components or subsystems through the full development lifecycle, including flight operations.
Experience with fluid and thermal analysis tools such asEcosim
Pro, Thermal Desktop,Dymola,Modelica, or equivalent.Experience with spacecraft propulsion systems and/or high-pressure fluid systems.
Understanding of the spacecraft propulsion and fluidcomponentsupply chain.
Experience developing both low-cost technology demonstrators and higher-budget flight systems.
Experience working in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary hardware development environment.
Experience working directly with customers, suppliers, and external technical partners.
Research shows that while men apply to jobs where they meet an average of 60% of the criteria, women and…
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