Project Description:

Protolaunch is a chemical propulsion startup developing new thruster technology for in-space mobility targeted for In-Orbit Servicing and Manufacturing markets. Protolaunch operates a dedicated Propulsion Test Facility located at E-Site, Westcott Venture Park, Buckinghamshire, UK with a nearby office also located at the Venture Park. Protolaunch is a very small team of <10 people.

Protolaunch intends to conduct an intensive testing and qualification campaign of its in-space thrusters throughout the summer of 2024. During this testing and qualification campaign, a large series of iterative design, manufacturing and testing cycles will be conducted. This internship is an opportunity to be involved in these design cycles, where a successful candidate will get the opportunity to contribute to the full system modeling, simulation and design optimisations of these thrusters.

The primary objective of the successful applicant will be to support the test setup of Protolaunch’s small gaseous thrusters. During the time of the placement significant infrastructure upgrades will be underway at the propulsion test facility and this project will involve designing and implementing some of these upgrades. This will be a very hands on role and will require mechanical assembly. As part of this, the applicant will get to:

• Assemble and install plumbing subassemblies into the test rigs.

• Assemble test hardware.

• Making cables and wiring harnesses for test systems

• Mount test hardware onto the test stand.

• Assist in configuring the data acquisition system for specific tests and in running tests.

• Perform initial data processing of test data.

As a small dynamic startup, the opportunity will arise for the applicant to get involved with some of the manufacturing and testing work happening at the same time in projects Protolaunch is doing with ESA.

This ad-hoc work will involve the applicant:

• Designing small jigs to assist with testing or hardware assembly.

• Sourcing components.

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Applicant Specification:

• Student, preferably graduate or 3rd/4th year undergraduate in engineering or equivalent. It is likely Protolaunch will be hiring at the time the project finishes so 3rd/4th years are highly preferred. Applicant should be enthusiastic and willing to get stuck into hands-on, difficult problems which they won’t have had much experience with before.

  Minimum requirements:

  • Good written and verbal communication skills.

  • Previous hands-on experience from a project requiring use of manual tools etc.

• Experience with CAD software e.g. Solidworks.

Desirable requirements:

• Undertaken a course on fluid mechanics.

• Experience with Python.

Process details:

• 8 weeks minimum fixed term contract to be agreed with successful candidate

• In-person Induction Event to be held on [date], and an in-person/hybrid Showcase Event to be held at the [place/date]

• 5 days holiday to be taken during the placement

How we work:

We strive to create a high trust environment that enables team members to bring their whole selves to work – this helps to create the foundations of an innovation culture.

This job description set outs the skills and experience we believe are needed to be able to do this job but, research also tells us women are much more likely than men to take this list of requirements as absolute and self-select out of the process. If you think you can deliver this role then we want to hear from you, regardless of the boxes you didn’t tick.