Electrical Power Engineer

Location: Hybrid/Remote and Harwell Innovation Campus, Oxfordshire

Magdrive is hiring an Electrical Power Engineer to help develop our current spacecraft propulsion product, the Magdrive, into a highly competitive SuperMagdrive, which will be competitive with both small chemical and electric propulsion systems.  SuperMagdrive is targeting a thrust of >1N and an Isp of at least 2000s. This will require handling of large amounts of stored energy, high currents (potentially in the 1000A range) and voltages greater than 10kV - challenging in a spacecraft context!  The SuperMagdrive propulsion system will unlock new capabilities for spacecraft and enable entirely new industries in satellite servicing, orbital assembly and interplanetary transport.

You will play a pivotal role as one of the early employees of Magdrive, which brings enhanced freedom, responsibility and potential for career growth. The solutions you develop will directly shape the development of the Magdrive propulsion system and have a significant impact on the future of space travel.

Magdrive offers a supportive and flexible work environment with the ability to adjust work hours, and hybrid working, with a competitive salary, comprehensive health insurance and regular company socials.

Responsibilities

• Define, and develop the end-to-end power system for the SuperMagdrive electric propulsion system.

• Specify, procure and assemble electronic components to test the prototype SuperMagdrive power system, with appropriate documentation (specifications, design drawings, test plans etc.).

• Work with our partners team to define diagnostic and test approaches, and address spacecraft constraints relating to high voltage and current.

• Fast and effective problem solving, in a small team / start up work environment.

Essential

• Minimum 3 years’ relevant industry experience .

• Degree in electrical engineering, physics or similar.

• Practical, demonstrable knowledge of high capacity electromagnetic energy storage devices and DC/DC conversion, ideally in a mobile (transportation) context.

• Competence with high voltage and high current systems, and electrical safety.

• Electronic circuit design, PCB layout, parts procurement, prototyping and rapid iterative testing experience.

Desirable

• Experience working with electrical spacecraft systems: e.g. power, data, energy storage, RF, or other relevant space industry experience.

• Familiarity with pulsed power and / or pulsed electric propulsion knowledge.

• Experience working with academics researching electric power systems.

• Practical knowledge of EMC and EMI management and mitigation approaches.

• Passion for space travel and new technical approaches.

Benefits 

• Salary £30k - £60k per annum (DOE).

• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays.

• Flexible working hours and remote working.

• Comprehensive private health insurance.

• Support for home office setup.

• Generous share option scheme.

Application Process

Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume, cover letter, and a portfolio of relevant projects using the below application form.

Magdrive is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.  

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Assembly, Integration & Test (AIT) Engineer

Location: Hybrid/Remote and Harwell Innovation Campus, Oxfordshire

Magdrive is hiring an Assembly, Integration & Test (AIT) Engineer to lead the hands-on aspects of our flight-ready thruster delivery, ensuring that they are built, tested and qualified to the correct quality and standards. The Magdrive thruster will deliver unmatched thrust and efficiency, requiring precision assembly and qualification to ensure we deliver products of the highest specification.

As one of Magdrive’s early employees you will play a pivotal role, bringing enhanced freedom, responsibility and potential for career growth. You will work closely with all members of the flight team and provide support to research and development, ensuring that systems are designed and built in such a way that they can be successfully and accurately tested. A background in spacecraft engineering is paramount.

Magdrive offers a supportive and flexible work environment with the ability to adjust work hours, and hybrid working, with a competitive salary, comprehensive health insurance and regular company socials.

Responsibilities

• Assembly procedures and assembling space hardware:

• Providing design input to ensure that thruster components can be successfully integrated and tested.

• Selecting and providing input to the selection of integration specific materials such as adhesives.

• Developing operational procedures for assembly activities.

• Mechanical assembly and integration, ensuring relevant standards are met and operational procedures are completed.

• Working with electrical engineers to assemble flight electronics (training provided).

• Testing procedures and testing space hardware:

• Working with systems engineers to produce test and qualification plans and procedures.

• Running in-vacuum performance tests on propulsion systems

• Performing inspections and quality checks on flight parts and components.

• Conducting environmental testing campaigns on flight hardware.

• Conducting acceptance tests on newly built products.

Essential

• 3 years’ experience in the space industry.

• Degree in engineering or similar.

• Knowledge of Environmental Qualification campaigns and standards for space hardware.

Desirable

• Five years’ experience in the space industry as an AIT engineer.

• Experience with Solidworks CAD and PCB CAD.

• General tool proficiency for both mechanical and electrical applications i.e. hand tools, soldering, harness building, basic machining, etc.

• Experience working with space electric propulsion systems.

• Relevant qualifications and/or certifications for manufacturing and assembly of space hardware.

• Experience integrating subsystems into spacecraft.

Benefits 

• Salary £40k - £65k per annum (DOE).

• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays.

• Flexible working hours and remote working.

• Comprehensive private health insurance.

• Support for home office setup.

• Generous share option scheme.

Application Process

Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume, cover letter, and a portfolio of relevant projects using the below application form.

Magdrive is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.  

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Pulsed Power Engineer

Location: Hybrid/Remote and Harwell Innovation Campus, Oxfordshire

Magdrive is seeking to hire a Pulsed Power Engineer to help develop pulsed power based spacecraft propulsion products, including improving existing nanosat systems and beginning development of a larger scale “SuperMagdrive”. The SuperMagdrive is targeting a thrust of >1 N and an Isp of >2000 s, which will unlock new capabilities for spacecraft and enable entirely new industries in satellite servicing, orbital assembly and interplanetary transport.

You will play a pivotal role as one of the early employees of Magdrive, which brings enhanced freedom, responsibility and potential for career growth. The solutions you develop will directly shape the development of the Magdrive propulsion system and have a significant impact on the future of space travel. Your role will be developing pulsed power systems, improving existing systems for nanosat thrusters (>1 kV, <5 J), while developing a much larger prototype pulsed power system for the “SuperMagdrive” (>10 kV, ~1000 J).

Magdrive offers a supportive and flexible work environment with the ability to adjust work hours, flexible remote and hybrid working, with competitive salary, comprehensive health insurance and regular company socials. Magdrive is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Responsibilities

• Work with the electrical team to improve pulsed power and high voltage system design for future thrusters.

• Design, build and operate pulsed power systems specifically to prototype the larger SuperMagdrive thruster.

• Define interfaces between high voltage and other components within the SuperMagdrive thruster.

• Work with our plasma physics team to develop test approaches for high energy pulsed power systems.

Essential

• Degree in electrical engineering, physics or similar.

• At least 3 years’ experience working with pulsed power systems (>1 kV, >1 kA output).

• Practical knowledge of high current / high voltage switches, energy storage devices and interfacing.

• Practical experience with operating high voltage energy storage devices safety.

Desirable

• Experience in design build and test of high voltage DC/DC conversion approaches.

• Previously responsible for operating or designing SOPs for operating high voltage energy storage devices.

• Experience with design of high voltage systems to prevent breakdown and tracking.

• Knowledgeable about measurement and instrumentation appropriate to pulsed power systems,

• Understanding of EMC effects related to pulsed power transmission.

• Experience with simulation tools able to model pulsed power systems, e.g. CASTLE, PSCAD

• Knowledge of spacecraft systems and propulsion.

Benefits 

• Salary £50k (mid-level) - £70k (senior) per annum (DOE).

• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays.

• Flexible working hours and remote working.

• Comprehensive private health insurance.

• Support for home office setup.

• Generous share option scheme.

Application Process

Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume, cover letter, and a portfolio of relevant projects using the below application form.

Magdrive is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.  

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Apply Now