Senior Launch Automation Engineer
San Francisco Bay Area

This is a launch company that has already flown. They offer one of the lowest cost per launch dedicated orbital services, alongside a flight proven electric propulsion system for satellites.

Development is hands on. Parts are going together and hot fire tests run on a regular basis, so the work sits close to physical hardware. Launch cadence is moving from frequent testing towards frequent operations.

This role owns the simulation models of the ground support systems that fuel the rocket, designs the controllers, and works with the hardware team to get the volumes correct. It is 100% launcher focused.

This is a high level individual contributor role, working alongside the teams building the launcher and the ground support equipment.

What you will do

• Develop high fidelity simulations of cryogenic, pneumatic and hydraulic systems, including propellant loading, tank pressurisation and two phase flow dynamics
• Create the algorithms and control sequences that execute launch operations from propellant conditioning through terminal count and liftoff
• Build test automation across all environments, including Simulink simulation, hardware in the loop and CI/CD pipelines
• Work with propulsion, avionics and GNC teams to define critical interfaces, specify component and system requirements, and contribute to decisions that shape future launch systems
• Support countdown operations from mission control, monitoring fluid systems and responding to anomalies in real time
• Use ground test and launch data to identify system behaviour, validate models and improve simulation fidelity
• Take end to end responsibility for large aspects of the launch automation system

Who this suits

• Someone with 5 or more years modelling and controlling physical systems, particularly fluid and thermal systems
• Strong experience with MATLAB, Simulink and Simscape for physical system modelling
• Someone who understands fluid dynamics, thermodynamics and process control theory, and is comfortable with mass and energy balances, two phase flow and control loop design
• An advanced degree in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, physics or equivalent
• Someone who can articulate ideas, give technical feedback and mentor team members
• Someone who wants a fast paced, self driven, iterative startup environment
• Useful extras: cryogenics and two phase flow, chemical or process engineering, propulsion systems, launch vehicle ground support equipment or propulsion test stands, hardware in the loop simulation and real time integration, verification through unit tests, SIL, HIL and Monte Carlo, hazardous fluid systems, high pressure gas or propellant handling

This role is a fit for

• Chemical or process engineers with strong modelling skills who want to apply fluid systems expertise to spaceflight
• Controls engineers who love physical system simulation and want their models to run actual launch sequences
• Propulsion test engineers who have modelled engine or test stand fluid systems and want to own launch day
• Aerospace engineers with a thermal and fluids focus looking for hands on impact

What you get

$170,000 to $190,000. You do not need to match every listed expectation to apply. This role is subject to ITAR and EAR, so it is contingent on US Person status or the ability to receive a trade licence, plus any required background checks.

Apply

Send your CV through this advert and we’ll come back to you with the full company details and next steps. Darwin Space is a specialist space industry recruitment firm working exclusively on this vacancy. All applications are treated in confidence.

Darwin Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.

Darwin Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.

Adam Slade