Design Engineer

About P1 Orbital
P1 Orbital is developing liquid-propellant rocket engines for orbital launch and other applications. Our engine is designed to be exceptionally compact and low cost. We are less than a year old and funded to take it through hot-fire testing.

Our engineering culture comes from Motor Sport engineering: short cycles of design, manufacturing, testing, and improvement. We are applying that approach to rocket propulsion, developing our own hardware, running our own test campaigns and using the results to decide what to change. The team is small, and each person has substantial responsibility. You will work closely with colleagues across design, manufacturing and testing, help shape how we work and see your contribution reflected in the hardware we build.

We expect high standards and a fast pace. We look for ambitious, capable people who take ownership. solve problems and deliver good work quickly. We value sound judgement, attention to detail and willingness to learn.

Job summary
We are looking for a design engineer to design and detail complex mechanical components and high-stress transmission systems for advanced, high-performance power units.

You will apply high-level engineering expertise to optimize structural integrity, lightweight materials, and compact packaging under extreme thermal and mechanical loads, directly supporting the development of advanced propulsion systems.

Job description:
Support lead engineer in the Drawing Office (DO) to design test equipment, rigs, and test parts, ensuring facility setup and testing schedules stay on track. 

Qualifications & Education

- Engineering Degree: A Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or Motorsport Engineering.
Technical & Software Skills
- CAD Proficiency: Advanced mastery of industry-standard software like CATIA, SolidWorks, or Solid Edge for complex 3D assembly and packaging.
- Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T): Deep understanding to create clear, precise manufacturing drawings.
 Expertise in lightweight, high-strength metals and composites used in transmissions, including titanium/ nickel alloys, high-strength steels, and specialized coatings, and SLM printings.
- Dynamics & Kinematics: Understanding of torque paths, shift mechanisms.

Soft Skills

  - Spatial Reasoning: The ability to visualize and package dense, intricate gearboxes inside tightly constrained car layouts.
  - Meticulous Attention to Detail: Small errors in tolerances or drawing notes can cause catastrophic mechanical failure or expensive scrap parts.
  - Problem-Solving & Creativity: Finding ways to make a transmission lighter, stronger, and more efficient under extreme thermal and mechanical loads.
  - Cross-Department Communication: Working closely with aerodynamicists, stress analysts, engine builders, and test engineers