Engineering – Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom – Full time

Space Forge is transforming return from space to deliver revolutionary experiments and products, for the benefit of humanity.

We are developing an end-to-end service for a satellite that can be launched into orbit, manufacture new materials, return independently, then be recovered, refurbished and relaunched. We have a core team of highly qualified engineers who are developing the key technologies simultaneously and we are in need of modelling engineers.

Ultimately we are looking for someone who can become champions for one or more of the types of modelling we need for our service, both on ground and in orbit, to achieve our goal of transforming return from space for the benefit of humanity.

The primary roles for this job are:

  • Verifying and improving our designs by the detailed simulation in one or more of these domains:
  • Structural: vibration and shock simulation of space and seabourne vehicles
  • Thermal and Structural Analysis
  • Aerodynamic simulations / CFD in sub-sonic, supersonic and hypersonic regimes
  • Helping to develop our modelling methods and verification approaches

Key areas of responsibility:

  • Modelling and simulation of key aspects of our designs that we need to build our reusable satellite service.
  • Working to European Space Agency standards and margins for modelling.
  • Carrying out physical tests to verify the results of simulations.
  • Documenting results and operational procedures for internal use.
  • Engaging with internal and external system providers to ensure compatibility with the whole system.
  • Assisting with monitoring on test days and during space missions.
  • Helping us to define our company level modelling development approach.

A typical day:

  • Running models of our satellite hardware for launch, in-orbit and re-entry cases.
  • Selecting materials and providing feedback into the mechanical design teams to refine the satellite design.
  • Planning, executing and analysing satellite on-ground tests to verify model results
  • Being out in the field testing satellite recovery hardware and monitoring in-orbit data.
  • Working closely with the engineering team and CTO to solve problems and refine baselines

Benefits

Salary expectation: £30-40k dependant upon experience

Beyond the salary, Space Forge has been set up to ensure that staff have everything they need to enjoy their work, as the executive team are strong believers in motivation and flexibility driving productivity. Therefore the current additional benefits are available to team members:

  • Remote working available, working from home when not needed to be in the office, high quality remote working equipment will be provided;
  • 30 days holiday (inclusive of 8 UK bank holidays per year);
  • Up to five volunteering days per year;
  • Opportunity to join employee share options plan;
  • Working with a passionate, friendly and highly motivated team;
  • Maternity / Paternity benefits beyond statutory;
  • Our inclusive culture, celebrating failure and success, fairness, respect and honesty;
  • Helping to shape the modelling development processes at a rapidly growing start-up;
  • Contributing to the company impact of helping to reduce CO2 emissions across the globe by deploying space made materials into more energy efficient hardware.

APPLY:  Space Forge Ltd – Current Openings (workable.com)

CLOSING DATE: This application will close on July 17th 2021

Skills and Experiences

  • Requirements

    The Space Forge team is deliberately made from individuals who are adaptable and willing to learn new skills quickly. Therefore we are looking for engineers who are willing and able to adapt to the requirements asked of them whilst maintaining a good level of technical quality. Additionally as a start-up, staff are sometimes asked to assist with duties beyond their nominal job description and we are looking for candidates who are happy to step up and try something new when needed.

    Technical skills:

    • Experience in one or more of these modelling fields:
      • Structural: vibration & shock simulation of space and wave simulation of seabourne vehicles
      • Thermal Analysis for space missions
      • Multi body dynamics
      • Aerodynamic simulation in sub-sonic, supersonic and hypersonic regimes
    • Experience with Fusion 360 and Ansys tools
    • Experience with ECSS standards on spacecraft modelling
    • Experience with practical testing to verify modelling results
    • Ability to work with mechanical and system engineers to define and maintain interfaces to the whole system
    • Ideally experience with CubeSat or larger class missions.

    Soft skills:

    • Able to communicate with teams working both in and out of the office;
    • Able to communicate professionally with customers and external stakeholders;
    • Resilient and adaptable to technical and non-technical roadblocks, as many are expected

    Note that we don’t expect applicants to have all of these skills, but a mixture of some. We are looking for people who are willing to work hard, think logically, have high energy levels, respect others’ abilities and ultimately have an unending appetite to learn a large number of new skills quickly. Space Forge is committed to making super-powered teams of diverse individuals in all senses of the term, therefore women are strongly encouraged to apply and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.