Manufacturing Engineer

At Orbex we are looking for a Manufacturing Engineer that will become a critical technical link between our design engineering team, who are developing innovative, flight critical, composite products for the Orbex Prime Launch Vehicle, and our manufacturing operation teams who are bringing these challenging products into reality.

Your role will involve providing engineering support for standard series production, repairs, and retrofits, primarily for CFRP composite products.

This is an exciting time to join Orbex and to directly contribute to the maiden launch of Orbex Prime.

Orbex

Orbex is a leading micro-launch company with our Prime vehicle being prepared to launch from our home spaceport, Sutherland Spaceport. We are well placed to be one of the first operational micro-launch companies in Europe with over €85m of project financing secured, a number of customers signed up, our 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 in space.

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 Forres, you will be right in the heart of this fast-paced innovative company, gaining a unique insight into what it takes 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

The position includes the following tasks and responsibilities:

• New Product introduction – Serving as the technical link between design engineering and manufacturing operations
• Creation and maintenance of effective production working instructions with the related quality control points
• Defining and maintaining in-house production specifications, SOP and SOIs
• Working with the design teams to establish manufacturing readiness review data packs
• Contribute to production planning, first article delivery and continuous improvements
• Supporting the Tooling design, acceptance process and coordination with Design authority
• Specifying and procuring manufacturing equipment and consumable items for production
• Collaborate with QA teams to conduct inspection and audits, identifying and addressing non- conformities
• Ensure proper maintenance of equipment to meet manufacturing standards

Key Qualifications and Experience

• Educational Background in a relevant engineering discipline
• Strong knowledge of materials and their properties, specifically advanced composites
• Sound working knowledge of manual and automated composite production, inspection and integration techniques including mechanical and bonded assembly
• Familiarity with 3D CAD software (SolidWorks, CATIA preferred)
• Proven experience in a similar role, likely within aerospace, defence or motorsport

Desirable Experience:

• Familiarity with materials, processes and standards for aerospace and space applications
• Knowledge of non-destructive inspection techniques
• Experience implementing capital investment projects in the production environment
• Working knowledge of ERP/PLM systems
• Knowledge of surface finishing methods and treatments, composite and metallics
   

Personality

Orbex is a high-paced, startup culture where you will be encouraged to take assume responsibility for tasks and see them through.

It is imperative that you take initiative, communicate openly, and can collaborate with technical and non-technical team members.

You must be able to thrive in an international, diverse, and multicultural environment.

Location

This role is based in Forres at Orbex’s headquarters.

Orbex Forres is located at the foot of the Scottish Highlands, near Inverness. It is close to the spectacular coastline, wild beaches and amazing wildlife of the Moray Firth, as well as being a short distance from the world famous Loch Ness, and Aviemore ski resort.

If you enjoy adventurous outdoor pursuits in extraordinary natural environments, the coast, and highlands around Forres offer an ideal location.

Mountaineering, rock climbing, abseiling, hiking, mountain biking, cycling, camping, sailing, surfing, motorbiking, and skiing are all within easy reach of our main UK factory, and many members of our team participate in adventure sports in the vast, beautiful settings of Sutherland.

If you enjoy drone flying, wildlife or landscape photography, some of the most spectacular vistas in the world are directly at your doorstep.

Security

You must be a UK or European citizen or from a country that is a signatory to the MTCR convention. You will be required to obtain CTC clearance for the role.

Benefits

For the right candidate, we offer an excellent benefits package that includes:

• Competitive salary  
• An equity stake in the company so you will really benefit from your hard work as the company grows and is successful. 
• Our roles need to be on-site in Scotland due to the nature of the position, export controls and security, but we are happy to sponsor visas for you and your family and provide relocation assistance as required.
• Company Cycle to Work scheme