Combustion Devices Engineer
at Orbital Operations — High Thrust Space Vehicles for Satellite Defense
What the role involves
You will own the propulsion combustion devices and systems (igniter, main injector, TCA, etc.) for Orbital Operation’s flagship vehicle. This role involves a range of skillsets: design, analysis (structural, thermal, fluid), manufacturing, test, project management, and communication. You will work across a small team and take ownership of projects of your creation. To be successful in this role, you should be someone who thrives in ambiguity and be capable of leading projects to completion with minimal oversight. Along with these high expectations comes the opportunity to have a significant influence on a fast-growing startup company and to make rapid professional gains in an environment that encourages growth and risk.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in a science or engineering field
- 5+ years of experience working in the development of propulsion components, combustion components, or related hardware
- Demonstrated ability to own hardware through a production lifecycle
- Experience applying engineering fundamentals in thermodynamics, thermal, structural, and fluids
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree or higher in aeronautical/astronautical, aerospace, or mechanical engineering
- 5+ years of experience working in the development of propulsion components, combustion components, or related hardware
- Strong understanding of thermodynamics, compressible and incompressible flow, thermochemistry mechanics, and/or materials
- Hands-on experience with combustion devices hardware builds
- Experience with combustion devices manufacturing and design of manufacturability
- Experience with combustion devices testing and engine testing
- Understanding of engineering fundamentals and the ability to perform basic analysis
- Great attitude in the face of extreme challenges
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
What they ask for
About Orbital Operations
Orbital Operations is developing a high thrust, reusable space vehicle for satellite defense. We protect critical satellites, like GPS and Military communication satellites, from adversarial threats, like China and Russia. Our vehicle will use the exact same propulsion systems that launch vehicles have used for decades by implementing a cryogenic management system. This will give us over 100x the thrust or current in-space propulsion. Ross and I have over 15 years of combined aerospace experience across NASA, Aerojet Rocketdyne, SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Relativity Space. We’ve worked side by side for more than 3.5 years developing propulsion systems, turbomachinery, and building our own respective engineering teams. We are currently working on the first demo of our unique cryo management system and intend to launch an operational vehicle by 2027.
Full Orbital Operations profile