---
title: 'Electric Propulsion Engineer at NewOrbit Space'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/electric-propulsion-engineer-neworbit-space-reading-fwb8z2q2rytm'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-30'
---

# Electric Propulsion Engineer at NewOrbit Space

- **Company:** NewOrbit Space
- **Location:** Reading, United Kingdom
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** hybrid
- **Posted:** 2026-09-30
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-30
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/neworbit/933de3c0-1a84-4559-b8c9-557c98db38f2

## Job description

Company NewOrbit builds satellites that fly in very low Earth orbit, below 300 km, along with the electric propulsion that keeps them there. Flying closer to Earth means sharper imagery from smaller optics, and an orbit that cleans itself: our satellites de-orbit within a month at end of life, leaving no debris. Our AURA family of RF gridded ion thrusters powers our own NEO-1 satellite, with first flight planned for Q3 2028, and is also offered to other operators. Electric propulsion is what lets our satellites hold very low orbits, and our AURA RF gridded ion thruster is at the centre of it.

## Role

As Electric Propulsion Engineer, you own the design of that thruster: you calculate it, design it, build it, test it in our own vacuum facilities and feed what you learn straight into the next iteration. You own the testing of your own designs, and your results decide what flies.

## Responsibilities

Design

- Own the design of our RF gridded ion thruster and its performance calculations, from concept to flight configuration.
- Iterate rapidly to support NEO-1 and our customer thruster deliveries.
- Work with mechanical, electrical and control engineers on each new iteration of the ion propulsion system.

Build and test

- Design and build the test rigs and equipment for propulsion testing.
- Assemble and operate test hardware, electronics and vacuum facilities.
- Run electric propulsion tests on your own designs and analyse the results.
- Plan and run the test campaigns for your own designs.

Verify

- Turn test results into design changes, then re-test.
- Document every test configuration and result so it gives traceable evidence for system verification and qualification.

## Requirements

Essential

- Strong knowledge of RF gridded ion thrusters, including RF plasma generation, ion optics and neutralisation.
- Hands-on electric propulsion testing, ideally with RF generators, high-voltage power supplies and thrust balances.
- Experience with vacuum systems (pumps, gauges, valves), power supplies, fluid management (high-pressure gas tanks, mass flow controllers) and data acquisition.
- Solid grounding in plasma physics, modelling, diagnostics and ionisation processes.
- Willingness to design, build and test your own hardware, and to work extended hours on-site.

## Nice to have

- Experience taking a thruster from design through qualification to flight hardware.
- Scripting for data analysis and test automation (Python or MATLAB).
- Experience running thrusters on more than one propellant, such as xenon, krypton or air.

We are recruiting across propulsion design and test. Apply to whichever role fits you best - strong candidates may be considered for either.

Why NewOrbit Space?

- Pioneering space technology - Your work on our RF gridded ion thrusters and VLEO satellite platform will redefine satellite operations and challenge traditional LEO.
- Ownership and impact - You'll have a level of ownership that's rare in the space industry, and you'll take part in the full lifecycle of satellite technology.
- Equity and competitive salary - Alongside a competitive salary you receive a company ownership stake, so you share in the technology you help build and in our collective success.
- Comprehensive benefits - Private health insurance with dental and optical cover, and annual health check-ups.
- Hybrid working - One dedicated remote day per week.
- Visa sponsorship and relocation support - We sponsor visas and provide relocation support for candidates moving to join us.

## About NewOrbit Space

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: NewOrbit designs and builds the world's lowest orbiting satellites for very-low Earth orbit (VLEO), enabling enhanced Earth observation, direct‑to‑device connectivity, and advanced weather forecasting.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series A)
- **Headquarters**: Reading, England, United Kingdom
- **Founded**: 2021
- **Founders**: Anatolii Papulov (CEO) and Ruslan Rakhimov (CTO)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Space technology / Satellite manufacturing
- **Target customers**: Commercial and government organisations needing high‑resolution imagery, atmospheric data, and global connectivity (B2B, Enterprise)
- **Mission or purpose**: Engineering Earth’s lowest orbiting satellite to advance global connectivity and insight, while keeping space clean for future generations.

## Products & Services
- **[NEO-1]**: A very‑low Earth orbit satellite capable of sustained operation at ~200‑300 km altitude. It delivers drone‑quality imagery (20× cheaper than conventional satellites), direct‑to‑device 5G‑equivalent internet, and precise atmospheric data for weather forecasting. The satellite uses a proprietary air‑breathing electric propulsion system, tailored attitude control, and advanced materials to overcome drag and atomic oxygen. It operates in a naturally self‑cleaning orbit (deorbits within a month after decommission).

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed
- **Key Metric**: Total Funding raised – **$18.77 M** (Series A of $18.5 M closed June 2026)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**:
  - Lead: Voyager Ventures
  - Participants: Atlantic VC, Lifeline Ventures, Illusian, Custos Family Office, David Kirk (former Nvidia chief scientist), Lawrence Leuschner (co‑founder of TIER Mobility)
  - Advisory board includes Jean‑Jacques Dordain (former ESA Director General) and Sir Chris Deverell (former UK Joint Forces commander)
  - Partners: European Space Agency, UK Space Agency, SPRIND
- **Growth Signals**:
  - Headcount of ~25 employees (as of mid‑2026), with yearly growth of +45 % and monthly growth of +7.4 %
  - Plans to open the NEO Production Complex in 2027, scaling from 10 satellites/year to several per week
  - First commercial flight targeted for 2028
  - 5 active job postings, with a strong pipeline of engineering hires

## Competitive Advantages
- **Altitude advantage**: Operates at one‑third the altitude of conventional satellites, enabling 20× cheaper imagery, higher‑resolution data, and 5G‑equivalent direct‑to‑device bandwidth.
- **Proprietary technology**: Built‑from‑scratch subsystems (attitude control, propulsion, electronics, thermal, embedded software) that handle the extreme conditions of VLEO (aerodynamic drag, atomic oxygen, torque).
- **Self‑cleaning orbit**: Satellites deorbit naturally within a month, mitigating space debris – a key regulatory and sustainability differentiator.
- **Sovereign industrial asset**: Positioned as Europe’s largest dedicated VLEO production facility, supported by UK and European space agencies.

## Strategic Focus
- **Current priorities**: First mission in 2028, ramp‑up of satellite production, and establishment of a scalable manufacturing facility. The company is building a product platform for any customer to “fly at VLEO” with integrated payloads.
- **Direction for growth**: Expand from Earth observation into global telecom (direct‑to‑device) and weather services, while securing defence and national‑security missions.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: A “make it happen” ethos with high ownership; engineers design, build, and test hardware in weeks rather than years. Cross‑disciplinary collaboration driven by a shared mission to solve one of space’s toughest engineering problems.
- **Facilities**: State‑of‑the‑art testing facility for multi‑propellant ion propulsion systems, and purpose‑built labs for satellite subsystem development.
- **Work style**: Based in Reading, UK – likely on‑site due to hardware‑intensive work. The team is small (~25), flat‑structured, and encourages rapid iteration.
- **Notable perks**: Chance to work alongside world‑class engineers and advisors (former ESA Director, UK military leaders), lead a function from day one, and directly impact the opening of a new orbital regime.

## Sources
1. [neworbit.space](https://neworbit.space/) – Company homepage and product details
2. [neworbit.space/about](https://neworbit.space/about) – About page, founders, advisory board, partners
3. [neworbit.space/careers](https://neworbit.space/careers) – Careers page, culture details
4. [cbinsights.com](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/neworbit-space) – Funding, headcount, headquarters
5. [linkedin.com](https://uk.linkedin.com/company/neworbit-space) – Employee growth, open positions, talent sources
6. [spacenews.com](https://spacenews.com/uk-startup-neworbit-raises-18-5-million-in-series-a-round/) – Series A announcement, first mission details (cited via cbinsights)

## Other roles at NewOrbit Space

- [AIT Systems Integration Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/ait-systems-integration-engineer-neworbit-space-reading-hpv8edcj9s4k) — Reading, United Kingdom
- [Electric Propulsion Test Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/electric-propulsion-test-engineer-neworbit-space-reading-e2zsfjp3m1sx) — Reading, United Kingdom
- [VP Sales](https://feeny.ai/job/vp-sales-neworbit-space-reading-4edd0tzx9878) — Reading, United Kingdom
- [Commercial Lead](https://feeny.ai/job/commercial-lead-neworbit-space-reading-m8h1174kagff) — Reading, United Kingdom
- [Satellite Mechanical Design Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/satellite-mechanical-design-engineer-neworbit-space-reading-b87twktm156f) — Reading, United Kingdom
- [AIT & Mechanical Technician](https://feeny.ai/job/ait-mechanical-technician-neworbit-space-reading-hv25phf79n6h) — Reading, United Kingdom
- [Manufacturing Technician](https://feeny.ai/job/manufacturing-technician-neworbit-space-reading-df8j5mkw2n7z) — Reading, United Kingdom
- [Spacecraft Structural Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/spacecraft-structural-engineer-neworbit-space-reading-eqthy390xbdg) — Reading, United Kingdom
- [Lead Flight Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/lead-flight-software-engineer-neworbit-space-reading-jmfg9e7vae5t) — Reading, United Kingdom