Orbex are looking for a skilled Mechanical Design Engineer to perform detailed mechanical design of a cryogenic turbo-pump system.
You will be responsible for transforming mean-line designs for inducers, impellers, nozzles, turbine, manifolds and volutes into complete, manufacturable hardware solutions. You will be involved in end-to-end product lifecycle, including material selection, precision mechanical detailing, COTS component integration, and support product qualification.
Orbex
Orbex is a leading micro-launch company with our Prime and Proxima launch vehicles being prepared to launch from Scotland. We are well placed to be one of the first operational micro-launch companies in Europe with over €158m/£133m of project financing secured, a number of customers signed up, launch licence application submitted, and backing from organisations including UKSA and ESA.
We are a rapidly growing company with staff located between our production and test facilities in Forres, Scotland and Copenhagen, Denmark. Working on cutting edge advances in rocket fuel technology, Prime’s carbon footprint is up to 96% lower than comparable vehicles, leading to innovations in propulsion and tank structures. A state-of-the-art re-flight system means we can recover and reuse our technology, and innovations in separation mechanisms mean we leave no debris on orbit.
Having developed in-house production capability, we can 3D print complex engines, produce full-scale carbon composite fuel tanks, and have avionics and software testing labs in both Scotland and Denmark.
Based in Copenhagen, you will be right in the heart of this fast-paced cutting-edge company, using your skills to build a new launch vehicle for a buoyant commercial market.
Orbex is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is working towards a more diverse workforce in the aerospace industry.
The Position
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Responsibilities of the role
- Detailed Mechanical Design
- Translate mean-line turbomachinery designs performed by the Lead, into fully defined CAD models and technical drawings
- Develop high-integrity mechanical designs of components such as inducers, impellers, volutes, housings, and shaft assemblies
- Specify geometries and tolerances (GD&T) using ISO GPS (Geometrical Product Specifications) standards to ensure consistent interpretation across manufacturing and inspection.
- Material and Process Selection
- Select materials compatible with cryogenic and thermally dynamic environments, considering differential coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE), mechanical properties, and environmental compatibility.
- Define and validate manufacturing strategies (e.g., high-precision CNC, casting, additive manufacturing), including post-processing requirements such as abrasive flow machining, anodizing, or shot peening.
- Component Specification
- Select and size COTS components, including:
- Fasteners (threaded, keyed, etc.)
- Static and dynamic seals (polymeric, elastomeric, and metallic)
- Bearings and sensors (thermal, pressure, position, etc.)
- Ensure compatibility with operating conditions (e.g., cryogenic fluids, high rotational speeds, high vibration).
- Design for Manufacturing & Assembly (DFM/DFA)
- Apply DFM/DFA principles to ensure ease of production, assembly, inspection, and maintenance.
- Collaborate closely with manufacturing and quality teams to align design intent with production capabilities.
- Rotor Dynamics & Balancing
- Perform or support rotor dynamic analysis (critical speed, mode shapes, unbalance response).
- Define and validate component and assembly-level balancing procedures and tolerances.
- End-to-End Product Lifecycle Support
- Lead design efforts from early conceptual sketches through prototype builds to final qualified product.
- Support FMEA, verification testing, and compliance documentation.
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Qualifications and Experience
- Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (or equivalent).
- Experience in turbomachinery and/or rotating equipment design, preferably for aerospace, motorsports or cryogenic applications.
- Demonstrated experience in:
- Precision machining and geometric tolerancing compliant with ISO GPS standards
- Rotor dynamic modelling and balancing practices
- Thermal-structural design in high-gradient environments
- Proficiency with CAD and PLM systems, preferably SolidWorks + PDM.
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Desirable experience and traits:
- Hands-on experience in prototyping and design validation.
- Strong communication skills for cross-disciplinary collaboration.
- System-level thinking and capability to manage trade-offs in performance, manufacturability, and reliability.
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