Electric Propulsion Engineer
Electric Propulsion Engineer
Reading, UK
Permanent
Salary: Competitive + benefits (DOE)
iO Associates is partnered with a fast-growing SpaceTech/satellite engineering organisation developing next-generation spacecraft designed to operate in very low Earth orbit (VLEO), below 300 km. Flying closer to Earth enables sharper imagery from smaller optics and a cleaner orbital lifecycle with satellites designed to de-orbit within a month at end of life, reducing long-term debris risk.
This business is also developing an RF gridded ion thruster product line to power its own satellite platform (NEO-1) and supply propulsion hardware to external operators. They've built in-house vacuum test facilities, and they now need an Electric Propulsion Engineer to own the end-to-end test programme that proves the AURA RF gridded ion thruster performs as designed - turning iterative engineering into verified, flight-ready hardware.
Key Responsibilities:
- Plan and own propulsion test campaigns supporting NEO-1 and customer thruster deliveries — building the evidence base for verification and qualification
- Operate vacuum facilities and key test equipment including RF generators, high-voltage supplies, gas feed systems, and thrust balance instrumentation
- Run plasma diagnostics and data acquisition, then analyse results to assess performance, stability, and failure modes
- Maintain clear, rigorous, and traceable test records for every configuration and result (test plans, procedures, logs, and reports)
- Design and implement new test rigs, fixtures, and supporting equipment for electric propulsion testing
- Assemble, maintain, and troubleshoot test hardware, electronics, and vacuum systems to keep campaigns running effectively
- Feed findings back to the design team rapidly to drive iteration speed and design maturity
- Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and control engineers to integrate and test each new thruster iteration
- As the programme matures, progress into thruster design ownership — performing performance calculations, designing/building hardware, implementing design changes, and re-testing to close the loop
Requirements:
- Practical electric propulsion testing experience (ideally involving RF generators, high-voltage power supplies, and thrust balances)
- Experience working with vacuum systems (pumps, gauges, valves), power supplies, fluid management (high-pressure gas tanks, mass flow controllers), and data acquisition systems
- Working knowledge of RF gridded ion thrusters including RF plasma generation, ion optics, and neutralisation, plus a solid grounding in plasma physics/ionisation processes and diagnostics
- Highly rigorous approach to test planning, data quality, and documentation (verification-minded, evidence-led)
- Comfortable designing, building, and testing your own hardware, and willing to work extended hours on-site when campaigns demand it
Nice to have:
- Plasma diagnostics experience (eg, Langmuir probes, retarding potential analysers)
- Experience taking a thruster from design through qualification to flight hardware, or broader flight-programme hardware verification/test rig design
- Scripting for analysis and test automation (Python and/or MATLAB)
- Experience running thrusters on multiple propellants (eg, xenon, krypton, air)
Why this role:
You'll take a pivotal position in a high-impact SpaceTech environment where test results directly shape design decisions- with responsibility spanning vacuum testing, diagnostics, verification evidence, and (over time) full thruster design ownership. If you want to be the person who proves what flies, this is a rare opportunity to lead from the test stand to flight-ready propulsion hardware.
If you're interested, please send your CV to (see below) .
Disclaimer: Any remuneration stated in this advertisement is indicative and will be dependent on the successful candidate's experience, skills and qualifications. Final remuneration will be agreed with the successful candidate and will be subject to the terms of the contract.