Fluid Systems Engineer

Darwin Space are currently hiring for a Fluidics Systems Engineer on behalf of a business in Madrid.

• Continued mechanical and functional development of the ATHENA PMU, including reliability improvements and production-readiness work.
• Developing and qualifying the in-vacuum propellant filling setup, including out gassing protocols, contamination control and fill calibration procedures.
• Characterising PMU performance: flow delivery, pressure stability, gas management and fill accuracy.
• Writing and maintaining test procedures, assembly instructions and qualification documentation.
• Working closely with the thruster and power electronics teams during integrated testing and firing campaigns.
• Contributing to make-vs-buy decisions and supplier interactions for PMU components.

• Background in vacuum systems engineering, precision fluidics, analytical instrumentation, or a closely related field, demonstrated either through industry experience or research.
• Hands-on experience handling sensitive or reactive liquids (hygroscopic, conductive, or corrosive media) in a laboratory or production context.
• Familiarity with vacuum hardware: pumping systems, pressure measurement at low ranges, out gassing characterisation, leak detection.
• Experience designing or assembling precision sealed systems (seals, fittings, polymer-to-metal interfaces).
• Rigorous experimental habits: clear documentation, awareness of contamination sources, systematic troubleshooting.
• Comfortable working in a small team where the scope of your role will evolve.
• Proficiency in mechanical CAD (Fusion 360, Solid Works, or equivalent).
• Direct experience with ionic liquids or electrochemical systems.
• Familiarity with space environmental requirements (thermal vacuum, ECSS or NASA out gassing standards).
• Experience with low-pressure pneumatic proof testing and pressure system compliance.
• Background in microfluidics, MEMS, or lab-on-chip systems.