Working at Skyrora

Skyrora is a European launch company building the next generation of rockets to take small satellites into space from the UK. We are aiming to conduct our first orbital launch in June 2022, with several suborbital launches planned before then. We work closely with several academic, industrial and governmental stakeholders to work towards the UK Space Agency’s target of capturing 10% of the global space market by 2030. As part of our corporate development, we are looking to scale-up the team at our Edinburgh Headquarters.

The role involves working alongside the Business Development and Engineering Teams to develop Skyrora’s business and image, managing daily company operations with regards to lead and enhance full scale of business development and sales. Successful contracts and orders, grant applications, JV establishments, multi-sectors and multi-countries cooperation – are the daily role’s routine. The role is office-based, but with frequent opportunities to travel around the world representing the organisation at the highest-level meetings and events.

This is an exciting opportunity to work with a friendly and sociable team across Europe in an exciting and fast-growing space company.

Space veteran looking to get involved in a dynamic European young company.

• Outstanding interpersonal and leadership skills
• A genuine interest in space
• Confidence in speaking publicly
• Engineering and sales expertise
• Brilliant past business achievements / track record
• References from top-industry players
• Wide network within aerospace industry including government stakeholders
• Excellent multi-tasking and people management skills

• Competitive salary
• The opportunity to work in an exciting and vibrant sector
• Friendly and sociable team
• Extensive domestic and international travel prospects
• Opportunities to take ownership of all BD projects
• Salary increases with experience/performance
• Frequent social and teambuilding events

Skyrora is the UK’s foremost New-Space small satellite launch vehicle engineering company. Skyrora’s mission is to provide a versatile and dedicated sovereign launch capability to serve the world-leading satellite manufacturers local to the UK and Europe. Leading the UK’s effort to create a sustainable and environmentally friendly launch vehicle, Skyrora combines both world-leading innovative engineering solutions for the construction of its launch vehicles and liquid propulsion technologies. A focus of our technology approach is to minimise the impact on the immediate environment.

Small and Micro satellites are being used more and more in everyday life, with the manufacturing rate increasing year by year. They assist us by tracking forest fires, providing communications to remote places and capturing high-definition images of the Earth, to name a few. There is currently a lack of launch opportunities for small satellites, and it is Skyrora’s goal to open this access to space, unlocking the potential for all.

We design and build our launch vehicles in house and aim to launch from the UK with our Skyrora XL, a 3-stage liquid launch vehicle. We currently have two liquid engine test sites, have performed static fires of our Skylark-L vehicles and Skyrora XL 3rd Stages. In our engine development, we performed over 120 liquid engine tests in 2020 alone. Globally, we have recently secured over £3M in ESA funding, to accelerate our development activities.

Team working is at our core, and we face new challenges every day. Every member of Skyrora’s diverse team demonstrates entrepreneurial flexibility to cooperate and establish sustainable solutions to all the challenges thrown at us; from creating the legal landscape enabling space flight in the UK, to the societal challenge of fighting global pandemics such as COVID-19.

Why not challenge yourself in trying to get the UK back to space?

Skyrora is undergoing a period of growth as we seek to increase the size of our team across all departments. With the opening of new manufacturing facilities and the recent commissioning of the largest liquid test site in the UK, we require an experienced Electrical Technician to assist in our vehicle testing and production. The Electrical Technician will be responsible for maintenance and installations of electrical systems at all Skyrora facilities. The role is primarily based at the Cumbernauld facility, however, it will require travel to other Skyrora facilities inclusive of our Engine Test Site . You will be working as part of a highly driven and dynamic team that is pushing to achieve orbital flight from UK soil.

In the role you will collaborate with our Head of Avionics in evaluating and building our avionic systems, while also assisting the design team with the manufacturability of electronic components. You will be identifying faults in systems, performing root cause analysis and rectifying defects. You will be responsible for ensuring electrical systems on-site are well maintained and that maintenance schedules are monitored and kept up to date. In addition, you will also ensure electrical measurement equipment at our Engine Test Site is maintained and re-calibrated for test firings.

You will be working closely with site Storekeepers to ensure stock levels of electrical components and equipment is monitored and maintained. Therefore, you must have strong organisational skills and be very self-driven. Communication skills will also be key as you will be responsible for ensuring that all issues, maintenance schedules and required works are known to the Head of Avionics to prevent operational delays.

Teamwork and collaboration are at the forefront of Skyrora’s operational success to ensure that all sites are maintained to the highest standards and continuously improved for future engines and technologies.

This is a challenging, exciting, and fulfilling role so apply to join the UK’s leading launch vehicle manufacturer on our journey to orbit.

Key responsibilities and tasks include:

• Build, test and rework engine cable harnesses
• Interpret complex cable harness, wiring and layout drawings
• Assemble avionics and electrical systems per engineering drawings
• Soldering
• Wiring in compliance and to BS7671 wiring regulations and standards
• Support Avionics Engineers with the design iteration of electronic components and harnesses
• Maintain and develop site electrical systems
• Perform troubleshooting and root cause analysis for any issues that arise within electrical assemblies
• Installation of adhoc electrical systems including lighting, internet and power systems
• Participate in testing campaigns
• Coordinate regular electrical system maintenance
• Ensure electrical measurement equipment is correctly calibrated
• Programming microcontrollers
• Appropriate cable management in accordance with company 5S standards
• Work closely with the H&S Officer to maintain and improve workshop / site safety
• Ensure stock levels of electrical components and equipment are monitored and maintained, liaising closely with the Storekeeper
• Attend weekly meetings with the operations lead

• Recognised apprenticeship in Electrical Engineering OR Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a similar role in an industrial or field electronics environment
• Experience with programming of microcontrollers
• Experienced in installing and maintaining facility services and site power generation systems
• Experience with industrial connectors, wiring systems and diagnosis
• Skilled with soldering to IPC J-STD-001 standards
• Competent working with, and the set-up of electrical busbar systems
• Experience with HMI systems
• Proficient with linux terminal
• Firm understanding of IP networking and configuring local networks
• Experience with cable manufacture, maintenance and management
• Strong understanding of safe systems of work
• Strong organisational skills
• Experience with permit to work systems
• Experienced with working to and improving on high safety standards at work
• Ability to work under pressure and to strict deadlines

• Electrical Engineering degree
• CompEx competency validation
• HNC/HND qualifications
• Experience with RF Systems, industrial AV systems such as broadcast equipment, radio systems or CCTV
• Experienced with online records and work systems such as an EPR or Odoo
• Experience of PAT testing
• First aid training
• Ability to read, troubleshoot and re-configure SCADA systems
• Running cables within difficult environments
• Experience working at height and in confined spaces

• Valid passport, including right to work in the UK
• Full driving licence is preferred
• Must be willing to work in a dynamic teamwork-oriented environment
• Must be willing to work outside of normal hours when required to ensure deadlines are met
• Must be determined to make a significant contribution to UK Space launch capability

Skyrora is the UK’s foremost New-Space small satellite launch vehicle engineering company. Skyrora’s mission is to provide a versatile and dedicated sovereign launch capability to serve the world-leading satellite manufacturers local to the UK and Europe. Leading the UK’s effort to create a sustainable and environmentally friendly launch vehicle, Skyrora combines both world-leading innovative engineering solutions for the construction of its launch vehicles and liquid propulsion technologies. A focus of our technology approach is to minimise the impact on the immediate environment.

Small and Micro satellites are being used more and more in everyday life, with the manufacturing rate increasing year by year. They assist us by tracking forest fires, providing communications to remote places and capturing high-definition images of the Earth, to name a few. There is currently a lack of launch opportunities for small satellites, and it is Skyrora’s goal to open this access to space, unlocking the potential for all.

We design and build our launch vehicles in house and aim to launch from the UK with our Skyrora XL, a 3-stage liquid launch vehicle. We currently have two liquid engine test sites, have performed static fires of our Skylark-L vehicles and Skyrora XL 3rd Stages. In our engine development, we performed over 120 liquid engine tests in 2020 alone. Globally, we have recently secured over £3M in ESA funding, to accelerate our development activities.

Team working is at our core, and we face new challenges every day. Every member of Skyrora’s diverse team demonstrates entrepreneurial flexibility to cooperate and establish sustainable solutions to all the challenges thrown at us; from creating the legal landscape enabling space flight in the UK, to the societal challenge of fighting global pandemics such as COVID-19.

Why not challenge yourself in trying to get the UK back to space?

Skyrora is undergoing a period of growth as we seek to increase the size of our team across all departments. With the opening of new manufacturing facilities and the recent commissioning of the largest liquid test site in the UK, we require an experienced Welding Technician to assist in our vehicle development and production. You will be responsible for welding complex assemblies and fabrication of various small to large scale structures. The role will be primarily based at our Cumbernauld factory with travel required between other Skyrora facilities to meet business needs. You will be working as part of a highly driven and dynamic team that is pushing to achieve orbital flight from UK soil.

The technician will collaborate with the Head of Operations to work towards continuous improvement of welding operations, decrease turnaround times and streamline work processes. Previous experience and competence working with aluminium, stainless steel and Inconel is essential to this role, in addition to knowledge of a broad range of welding joints and techniques. These skills are essential for the technician to deal with the varied and challenging situations that they will be presented within the role.

You will be working closely with site Storekeepers to ensure stock levels of welding consumables are monitored and maintained. The technician will be responsible for maintenance and upkeep of welding equipment and tools to the high standards expected from all Skyrora staff. Therefore, you must have strong organisational skills and be very self-driven. Communication skills will also be key as you will be responsible for ensuring that all issues, maintenance schedules and required works are reported to the Head of Operations to prevent operational delays.

This is a challenging, exciting, and fulfilling role so apply to join the UK’s leading launch vehicle manufacturer on our journey to orbit.

• Setup welding systems
• Weld and fabricate various small to large scale structures and assemblies
• Perform work according to standard operating procedures and work instructions
• Continuously improve welding operations, decrease turnaround times and streamline work processes
• Read engineering drawings and specifications to plan and execute welding operations
• Coordinate with Head of Operations on manufacturing timelines and implementation
• Collaborate with the design team to ensure manufacturability of welded components
• Maintain an adequate supply of welding consumables
• Maintain a clean work area to 5S standards
• Identify the need for, manufacture and implement jigs and fixtures for welding / fabrication operations

• Highly proficient in TIG welding of stainless steel, aluminium and / or Inconel
• Highly proficient in MIG welding and fabrication of steel structures
• Experience with pipe welding systems
• Experience welding pressurised systems up to 300bar
• Familiarity with NDT processes and techniques
• High level of workmanship and attention to detail

• 5+ years of experience in TIG welding of stainless steel, aluminium and / or Inconel
• Experience with automated and rotary welding systems
• Knowledge of occupational hazards and effective safety precautions of the trade
• Ability to learn quickly on the job
• Work well in fast paced environments
• Comfortable working at heights up to 25m
• Experience working to AS9100 quality standards

• Valid passport, including right to work in the UK
• Full driving licence is preferred
• NVQ level 3 or equivalent qualification in fabrication and welding engineering
• Must be willing to work in a dynamic, teamwork-oriented environment
• Able to work flexibly, working overtime and travelling between facilities in line with business requirements
• Must be determined to make a significant contribution to UK space launch capability