{"id":1581151,"url":"https://alion.io/job/neworbit-electric-propulsion-test-engineer","title":"Electric Propulsion Test Engineer","company":{"id":679537,"name":"NewOrbit","domain":"neworbit.space","url":"https://alion.io/company/neworbit","size_band":"51-200","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Ashby","truth_index":null},"role":"Industrial Engineering","role_family":"Industrial Engineering","seniority":null,"employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"hybrid","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Reading, United Kingdom"],"countries":["GB"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":38000,"max_usd":90000,"period":"year","method":"role_country_seniority_unknown","sample_n":306},"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":true,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":true,"technologies":[{"name":"MATLAB","optional":true},{"name":"Python","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-01T09:32:59Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-01","last_verified_at":"2026-10-05T01:41:02Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":3,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":3},"description":"Company\nNewOrbit builds satellites that fly in very low Earth orbit, below 300 km, along with the electric propulsion that keeps them there.\nFlying closer to Earth means sharper imagery from smaller optics, and an orbit that cleans itself: our satellites de-orbit within a month at end of life, leaving no debris.\nOur AURA family of RF gridded ion thrusters powers our own NEO-1 satellite, with first flight planned for Q3 2028, and is also offered to other operators.\nElectric propulsion is what lets our satellites hold very low orbits, and our AURA RF gridded ion thruster is at the centre of it.\nRole\nElectric propulsion is what lets our satellites hold very low orbits, and someone has to prove that our AURA RF gridded ion thruster does its job.\nAs Electric Propulsion Test Engineer, you run the test programme that turns designs into verified, flight-ready hardware, using NewOrbit's own vacuum facilities.\nYou work shoulder to shoulder with our propulsion engineers. You build the rigs, run the campaigns, find what fails and give the evidence that drives the next design.\nResponsibilities\nPlan and build\nPlan and own the propulsion test campaigns that support NEO-1 and our customer thruster deliveries.\n\nDesign and implement test rigs and equipment for propulsion testing.\n\nAssemble and maintain test hardware, electronics and vacuum facilities.\n\nTest and analyse\nOperate the vacuum system, RF generators, high-voltage supplies, gas feed and thrust balance during electric propulsion tests.\n\nRun plasma diagnostics and data acquisition, then analyse the results.\n\nFeed findings back to the design team quickly so each iteration improves on the last.\n\nVerify and document\nKeep clear records of every test configuration and result, giving traceable evidence for system verification and qualification.\n\nWork with mechanical, electrical and control engineers to integrate and test each new iteration of the ion propulsion system.\n\nRequirements\nEssential\nPractical electric propulsion testing experience, ideally with RF generators, high-voltage power supplies and thrust balances.\n\nExperience with vacuum systems (pumps, gauges, valves), power supplies, fluid management (high-pressure gas tanks, mass flow controllers) and data acquisition systems.\n\nWorking knowledge of RF gridded ion thrusters and of plasma physics, diagnostics and ionisation processes.\n\nA rigorous approach to test planning, data quality and documentation.\n\nWillingness to work extended hours on-site.\n\nNice to have\nExperience with plasma diagnostics such as Langmuir probes or retarding potential analysers.\n\nScripting for data analysis and test automation (Python or MATLAB).\n\nExperience with test rig design or hardware verification for flight programmes.\n\nWe are recruiting across propulsion design and test. Apply to whichever role fits you best - strong candidates may be considered for either.\nWhy NewOrbit Space?\nPioneering space technology - Your work on our RF gridded ion thrusters and VLEO satellite platform will redefine satellite operations and challenge traditional LEO.\n\nOwnership and impact - You'll have a level of ownership that's rare in the space industry, and you'll take part in the full lifecycle of satellite technology.\n\nEquity and competitive salary - Alongside a competitive salary you receive a company ownership stake, so you share in the technology you help build and in our collective success.\n\nComprehensive benefits - Private health insurance with dental and optical cover, and annual health check-ups.\n\nHybrid working - One dedicated remote day per week.\n\nVisa sponsorship and relocation support - We sponsor visas and provide relocation support for candidates moving to join us.","description_format":"text","description_chars":3693,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":null,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":null,"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Equity","Health insurance","Hybrid work"],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United Kingdom","iso":"GB","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":true,"industries":["Space & Aerospace","Earth Observation"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-01T13:17:15Z"}],"visa":[{"country":"GB","licensed_sponsor":true,"evidence":"Licensed UK visa sponsor (Skilled Worker)","filings_12m":null,"filings_prev_12m":null,"green_card_filings_12m":null,"median_offered_wage_usd":null,"route":"Skilled Worker","cap_exempt":false,"checked_at":"2026-10-03T21:09:13+00:00","sources":["UK Home Office: register of licensed sponsors (workers)"],"filings_for_role_12m":0}],"liveness":{"score":86,"band":"hot","label":"Hiring now","p_open":1,"p_active":0.86,"p_room":1,"age_days":2,"expected_fill_days":35,"reasons":["conf:0","win:early"],"computed_at":"2026-10-04T05:45:00Z"},"pay":null,"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/neworbit-electric-propulsion-test-engineer","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/neworbit-electric-propulsion-test-engineer.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-05T03:30:33Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","usage":{"tier":"crawler","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":4747,"day_limit":5000,"remaining_today":253,"minute_limit":60,"resets_at":"2026-10-06T00:00:00Z"}}}