At Orbital Operations, we’re developing a high thrust space vehicle for satellite defense. Our mission is to enable rapid-response orbital capabilities, executing maneuvers without hesitation and without regret.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

An engineer in this role will lead the design, development, and qualification of rotating and stationary flow path components for multiple turbomachinery applications at Orbital, taking the designs from initial concept to flight. Being successful in this role will require a strong technical knowledge of turbomachinery, coupled aero/hydro and mechanical design, and a broader turbomachinery system understanding as well as the ability to work with a wider team of specialists in the various sub-systems. Ensuring that turbomachinery solutions are developed with aggressive manufacturing goals, minimum cost/weight, and on an aggressive schedule is also key to success.

 RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design, build, and test turbopump pumps and/or turbines for propulsion systems
• Own critical turbomachinery components, as every engineer at Orbital assumes profound responsibility for their hardware
• Perform the aero/hydro sizing and flow path design and analysis work for the turbopumps and other turbomachinery for spacecraft systems
• Ensure that detailed mechanical analysis is performed on all the turbopump components/systems, reviewed, and meets the required standards for life and reliability targets
• Work with designers to prepare accurate and correct models and drawings for turbopump assembly and components, ensure that these drawings are correct and manufacturable with the available processes (or develop a process to enable them)
• Interface with our world-class production team to ensure designs are successfully translated into flight hardware that is revolutionizing access to space
• Work with teams developing other systems (combustion devices, valves, etc.) to ensure that the turbomachinery design is optimally integrated and that risks are well balanced across the system
• Support both component and assembly testing. Be involved with defining the test configuration, the test process/execution and review the results to confirm
• Lead the resolution of issues encountered with the turbopump during development/qualification testing
• Support ongoing design improvements to turbopump assemblies and/or sub-systems including manufacturing improvements to reduce the cost and lead time of components

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in aeronautical/astronautical, aerospace, or mechanical engineering
• 5+ years of professional experience in the design of turbomachinery components
• Experience with commercial analysis (structural and fluids) software

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master's degree or higher in aeronautical/astronautical, aerospace, or mechanical engineering
• Strong understanding of turbomachinery aerodynamics, hydrodynamics, and mechanical design
• Strong understanding of thermodynamics, compressible and incompressible flow, thermochemistry mechanics, and/or materials
• Hands-on experience with turbomachinery hardware build
• Experience with turbomachinery manufacturing and design of manufacturability
• Experience with turbomachinery testing and engine testing
• Understanding of engineering fundamentals and the ability to perform basic analysis
• Great attitude in the face of extreme challenges
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

Our Cryogenic Propellant Management System (CPMS) allows us to store liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen out in orbit. Designed for our Astraeus spacecraft, the CPMS paired with a 10,000 lbf engine enables high efficiency, high-thrust maneuverability in low earth, geosynchronous, and cislunar orbits.

Beyond defense, Astraeus is poised to transform commercial orbital logistics. It can slash LEO-to-GEO transit times from six months to just eight hours—unlocking new possibilities for satellite servicing, deployment, and beyond.