Cookies — it's your choice

At Bright Network we use cookies and similar technologies to help deliver you the best possible experience. Some are necessary to help our website work properly and can't be switched off, and some are optional but support Bright Network in building and running the service that we provide to you.

Data we store

You can find out more in our privacy policy at any time by going to the link in our footer.

  1. Home
  2. Industrial Placements
  3. Pharmaceuticals & Science
  4. Spacecraft Thermal Engineer Industrial Placement 2021
Lock Applications for this job are now closed
Closing soon

The RAL Space Department at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory develops space and ground-based astronomy instruments for organisations and agencies including ESA, NASA and ESO.  The Thermal Engineering Group (TEG) provides expert thermal engineering for these projects and manages a facility for production of Multi-layer Insulation. We work on a broad range of projects, including the Mid-Infrared Instrument for the James Webb Space Telescope, the SPICE instrument for Solar Orbiter, Optical Ground Support Equipment for Meteosat Third Generation, Receivers for MetOp Second Generation and the Broadband Radiometer Instrument for the ESA EarthCARE satellite.

The Role

Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI) is critical to the thermal performance of satellites and space instrumentation. Key components such as instrument detectors require strict control of heat flows from warm electronics and to cold deep space; this is achieved in part through the use of MLI blankets. Each blanket is a bespoke design, tailored for each application in terms of performance and form. The blankets are designed and manufactured using a variety of materials and processes. These materials and processes must be tested on Earth to ensure the blankets survival and performance in the harsh space environment.

This placement is focused on:

  • Testing materials and processes used in manufacture of MLI for Space applications
  • Planning test campaigns – Mechanical, Thermal, and Electrical Testing
  • Completing test campaigns & analysis of data
  • Gaining experience in MLI design and manufacture

Skills developed will include:

  • Experimental Methods – Mechanical, Thermal & Electrical Testing
  • Project Management - Planning & Organisation
  • Experience with space hardware & qualification standards

Requirements

Essential

  • Are in full time education at university and returning to university following the placement
  • The right to live and work in the UK for the duration of the placement which is 6 weeks
  • Be studying a relevant degree in engineering or physics 
  • Strong knowledge of mechanical, heat transfer and electrical principles
  • Good knowledge of general PC applications (Excel, Word, Powerpoint)
  • Good organisational skills 
  • Good communication skills 

Desirable

  • Started third year of degree in 2020
  • Experience in experimental methods (test equipment, data handling etc
  • Interest in space applications