Principal Mechanical Engineer

Orbex Space; Forres; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 80,000

Job description

Orbex has an exciting opportunity for a Principal Mechanical Engineer to act as a Technical Authority for the structural development and analysis of our launch vehicle, Orbex Prime.

You will take significant responsibility for flight structure development projects across technical performance, schedule and costs, taking a proactive role in the project from concept to manufacturing and launching flight hardware. For this role, experience in the design and analysis of finely toleranced flight structures for the space industry and/or composite structures would be extremely desirable, in particular Composite failure mode analysis and Launch vibration environments.

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 €122m of project financing secured, a number of customers signed up, 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.

Orbex is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is working towards a more diverse workforce in the aerospace industry.

The Position

Responsibilities of the role:

• Ownership of System and derived structures requirements: functional, general interfaces, LV environment, Operational (lifecycle, lifetime), physical, DFMEA (Design key characteristics), applicable standards (derived from SEMP and/or ECSS), mechanical dimensioning & test specifications.
• Coordination of Mechanical Engineering Team, from design concept up to maturation/convergence with design and manufacturing, planning the activities and managing the priorities/risks.
• Ownership mechanical/thermal analysis to justify the adequacy of the designs.
• Leadership, training & mentoring of the analysis team.
• Ownership of the verification control document, used to ensure the compliance status of the structures requirements and support to change control process.
• Build-up and execute the development plan in coordination with the Composite Chief engineer: element testing, sub-component testing.
• Test Engineering authority for execution of the scale 1 mechanical testing (structural qualification in static, dynamic, shock): qualification test plans, test procedures, test reports, test results analysis. Owning the development of the Structures Department Testing capability.
• Support to the Quality Gates: PDR, CDR, QR. Ownership of the documentation containing the dimensioning load cases, thermal/mechanical analysis, design justification files, qualification test plans, test results analysis, fly worthiness/qualification certificate files.
• Support as technical authority for validation of manufacturing & assembly measurements, NCR treatments.
• Support to System in built-up of MCI model, LV aero analysis, LV structural analysis, Integrated Structure/thermal models.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Minimum Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field is essential.
• 8+ years of experience in mechanical engineering, with a focus on structural design, analysis, and testing in Space, Aerospace, or similar high-reliability fields.
• Extensive experience with structural development and analysis (including mechanical and thermal analysis) of complex systems, ideally for launch vehicles or spacecraft.
• Proven experience working within industry standards like ECSS, CAA, EASA.
• Proficiency in industry-standard tools and software for systems engineering, such as modelling and simulation software, CAD tools, and data analysis software.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and manage multiple initiatives involving cross-functional teams simultaneously.
• Integrity, professionalism, and the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills, with a strong attention to detail.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Previous leadership experience and the ability to mentor and guide other engineers.

Desirable Skills and Qualifications:

• Proficiency in structural analysis tools and software (e.g., FEA, CAD).
• Experience in safety and reliability analysis methodologies.

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 – Forres

Our roles need to be on-site in Scotland due to the nature of the position, export controls and security. This role is based in Forres at Orbex’s headquarters. Orbex Forres is located at the foot of the Scottish Highlands, near Inverness. It's close to the spectacular coastline, wild beaches, and amazing wildlife of the Moray Firth, as well as being a short distance from the world-famous Loch Ness, and Aviemore ski resort.

If you enjoy adventurous outdoor pursuits in extraordinary natural environments, the coast and highlands around Forres offer an ideal location. Mountaineering, rock climbing, abseiling, hiking, mountain biking, cycling, camping, sailing, surfing, motorbiking, and skiing are all within easy reach of our main UK factory, and many members of our team participate in adventure sports in the vast, beautiful settings of Sutherland.

If you enjoy drone flying, wildlife or landscape photography, some of the most spectacular vistas in the world are directly at your doorstep.

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 UK BPSS check which includes a criminal record check.

Benefits

• Competitive salary depending on experience, £65-80k.
• Share Options in the company so you will really benefit from your hard work as the company grows and is successful.
• 34 days paid holiday including bank and public holidays.
• NEST workplace pension.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme, including: mortgage advice, health and wellbeing apps.
• Group Life Insurance, x4 annual salary.
• Orbex are able to sponsor visas for you and your family and provide comprehensive relocation assistance, this includes 1 month of accommodation in the local area paid for by the company, a relocation allowance and full support through the visa application process.