Senior Propulsion Development Engineer
GATE Space
Other Engineering
Vienna, Austria
Posted on Oct 3, 2024
About Us
At GATE Space, we develop green, chemical in-space propulsion solutions for the NewSpace economy. Drawing on years of experience developing rocket engines, our team is chasing the dream of a thriving economy in space and tackling space engineering problems with a rapid prototyping philosophy. We focus on the development of two products: The GATE Jetpack – a plug-and-play mobility solution for satellite missions – and the GATE Thruster – the world’s first chemical propulsion system capable of highly responsive deep throttling and differential thrust stabilization.
At GATE Space, we are committed to workforce diversity, equality and inclusion. We want to build a diverse team and welcome and value all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief.
About Your Role
As a Senior Propulsion Development Engineer at GATE Space, you will be responsible for advancing our GATE Thruster product family, focusing on development and verification aspects. You’ll play a key role in thruster design, including planning of verification testing campaigns, while applying your propulsion systems expertise to optimize the overall thruster performance and reliability. This hands-on role requires relevant work experience and offers the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge propulsion development in a fast-paced environment, supporting the whole development lifecycle.
Your Primary Tasks
We are looking for a full-time employee, starting as soon as possible. This role is in-person in Vienna, Austria with occasional travel to customers all across Europe & the US as well as conferences and industry events globally.
About Your Benefits
At GATE Space, we develop green, chemical in-space propulsion solutions for the NewSpace economy. Drawing on years of experience developing rocket engines, our team is chasing the dream of a thriving economy in space and tackling space engineering problems with a rapid prototyping philosophy. We focus on the development of two products: The GATE Jetpack – a plug-and-play mobility solution for satellite missions – and the GATE Thruster – the world’s first chemical propulsion system capable of highly responsive deep throttling and differential thrust stabilization.
At GATE Space, we are committed to workforce diversity, equality and inclusion. We want to build a diverse team and welcome and value all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief.
About Your Role
As a Senior Propulsion Development Engineer at GATE Space, you will be responsible for advancing our GATE Thruster product family, focusing on development and verification aspects. You’ll play a key role in thruster design, including planning of verification testing campaigns, while applying your propulsion systems expertise to optimize the overall thruster performance and reliability. This hands-on role requires relevant work experience and offers the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge propulsion development in a fast-paced environment, supporting the whole development lifecycle.
Your Primary Tasks
- Lead the development and design process of chemical thrusters
- Take ownership for multiple subsystems and/or different thruster classes
- Plan and execute qualification test campaigns of chemical thrusters as lead or co-lead
- Shape internal development processes
- Lead know-how management and advancement of internal standards in according with industry standards
- Hands-on work on breadboarding and prototyping of novel thruster designs
- Cooperate with the assembly, integration and test team as well as the business development team
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, , or a related field.
- Experience of at least six years in as many of the following areas:
- Experience with space hardware qualification and acceptance testing campaigns.
- Experience in full thruster development.
- Experience in fluid mechanics & systems.
- Practical experience in propulsion system test campaigns.
- Experience in developing space hardware up to TRL 7.
- [Optional but desired] Experience as the propulsion system lead engineer.
- [Optional but desired] Experience in working with nitrous-based and or cryogenic RCS systems.
- [Optional but desired] Experience in developing space hardware up to TRL 9.
- Leadership experience in agile project teams.
- Excellent problem-solving and analytical abilities.
- In-depth knowledge of spacecraft propulsion, navigation, and control systems.
- Familiarity with industry regulations and standards for space applications.
- Exceptional communication and presentation skills.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to evolving priorities.
We are looking for a full-time employee, starting as soon as possible. This role is in-person in Vienna, Austria with occasional travel to customers all across Europe & the US as well as conferences and industry events globally.
About Your Benefits
- First row seat in the development and implementation of a space mission
- Opportunity to shape a fast-growing space technology company
- Attractive compensation package of at least €70,000 gross per year (exceeding compensation depending on qualifications)
- Employee stock option bonus program making sure you benefit when the company grows
- Other perks such as free lunch at the office every day, free public transit ticket, etc.
- Flexible working time arrangements
