Key Responsibilities
- Design, analysis, and development of the reaction control system (RCS)/attitude control system (ACS) for a suborbital sounding rocket and orbital launch vehicle
- Define system architecture including thruster selection and placement, components and propellant budgeting to meet attitude control requirements across all mission phases
- Perform performance analysis including thrust level sizing, specific impulse modelling, and propellant consumption budgeting to validate system margins across the full mission profile
- Develop and own the RCS/ACS system requirements, cascading from vehicle-level pointing and stabilisation requirements down to component-level specifications for thrusters, valves, regulators, sensors, and pressure vessels
- Produce and maintain P&IDs, interface control documents, and system schematics
- Work with the flight dynamics and GNC team to ensure thruster configuration and performance characteristics are correctly modelled in the attitude control simulation, and support the tuning of control algorithms as required
- Define and support the execution ground test programmes including cold flow testing, thruster characterization and system-level functional testing
- Ensure RCS design complies with all relevant safety requirements for high-pressure systems and compressed gas handling
- Support system integration and verification activities
Basic Qualification
- Master’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering or a closely related discipline
- 2+ years of experience in aerospace industry
- Understanding of propulsion principles including thrust generation, specific impulse, nozzle design, and pressurant budgeting
- Experience in system requirements development and the ability to flow requirements down from vehicle level to component specifications
- Proficiency in fluid system modelling and performance analysis tools
- Experience producing engineering documentation including P&IDs, ICDs, and test procedures
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Fluent oral and written English, German is a plus
Desired Experience
- Hands-on experience designing or testing a cold gas or monopropellant RCS for a launch vehicle, sounding rocket, spacecraft, or re-entry system
- Familiarity with helium or nitrogen cold gas systems including component selection for solenoid valves, pressure regulators, check valves, and COTS thruster assemblies
- Experience working with a GNC or flight dynamics team to validate system configuration and support control law development
- Understanding of suborbital and orbital flight profiles and the specific attitude control challenges associated with their missions including separation, coast phase, payload pointing, and re-entry
- Familiarity with high-pressure system design standards and associated safety considerations for compressed gas systems
- Familiarity with ECSS, NASA-STD, or equivalent standards applicable to propulsion and pressure system design
Benefits
- €50 monthly Spendit Card – because it’s the little extras that make a difference
- Christmas bonus on top
- Job bike leasing for a sporty and sustainable commute
- €60 gift for special occasions (birthday, wedding, birth of a child)
- Regular team events – from Christmas parties to adventure offsites
- 30 days of vacation to fully recharge
- Flexible working hours (flextime) to match your personal rhythm
- 1 day of remote work per week
- Free coffee, tea & water – fuel for big ideas
- Open, respectful feedback culture at eye level
- Personal development opportunities through trainings, coaching & language courses
- Buddy program with structured onboarding, including a welcome package
- A diverse and inspiring startup environment, where talented people from over 16 nations collaborate to build something extraordinary
- Hands-on involvement across end-to-end development processes in a fast-growing New Space startup
Location
Our location in Neuenstadt in the region of Heilbronn offers an ideal combination of rural charm and urban quality of life. Located in the heart of Baden-Württemberg, the region is characterized by its excellent traffic connections and diverse opportunities for leisure activities. Discover the advantages of this dynamic and liveable environment and benefit from a good work-life balance.
2023, Baden-Württemberg registered by far the most patents in Germany. A total of 16,000 people work in LR BW member companies and generate an annual turnover of around 5 billion euros - and the trend is rising. The strength of Baden-Württemberg's aerospace industry lies in the integrated value chain from the screw to the research satellite.
or
This role will be based in Glasgow, Scotland and at occasionally there may be requirements to travel to our facilities in Neuenstadt am Kocher, Germany or our test and launch facilities in Shetland.
Glasgow has a strong aerospace and advanced manufacturing community with world class small satellite manufacturers, HyImpulse’s potential customers, located there. More satellites are built in Glasgow than any other place outside California, a dynamic and thriving environment in which to join a New Space company.
Ranked number 2 UK city for work-life balance (Startups Cities Index 2022), low housing and living costs, high internet speeds - a city internationally recognised for its openness, resilience, trust and friendliness, Glasgow is one of the top destinations for science, engineering innovation and design in Europe.
Glasgow’s West End neighbourhood is popular with students and young professionals alike, while in the centre you’ll find a mix of modern and traditional homes. Dennistoun in the East End of the city has recently been voted one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world according to TimeOut.
From top events, attractions and cultural festivals to the city's iconic music venues, a diverse and award-winning food and drink scene and the largest retail destination in the UK outside of London, there is plenty to keep everyone entertained. Over 90 parks and gardens, city cycling routes, the River Clyde, and the Clyde and Forth Canal, offers urban tranquillity as well as the welcome buzz of a city.
Beyond Glasgow’s thriving urban social scene, it is the perfect base to explore Scotland. Stunning scenery in the form of rolling hills, glens and lochs are reachable within half an hour’s drive of the city centre and outdoor sports such as hillwalking, climbing, sailing, hiking and mountain biking are popular weekend pursuits.
Equal Employment Opportunity
HyImpulse is committed to building a diverse and inclusive environment. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, age or disability.