Piping & Fluidic Management Engineer

  • Barcelona
  • Pangea Aeroce

About Pangea Aerospace : Pangea Aerospace is an aerospace start-up based in Barcelona focusing on developing disruptive technologies for small satellite launch vehicles. We are searching for new team members that want to contribute on creating the next generation of launchers.

Our mission is to develop the technology that enables a more efficient, sustainable, and commercial access to space. The company successfully tested a world’s first 3D-printed aerospike engine, introducing several new technologies into its design. Pangea Aerospace is leading the development of innovative launcher technology making reusable rockets the catalyst for sustainable and low-cost access to space.

We are looking for open-minded, driven and talented professionals to join our international team in Barcelona.

Pangea Aerospace is privately funded, supported by national and European institutions and a strong network of European partners.

About your job : The environment on-board a launch vehicle is highly dynamic, as the acceleration ranges from micro-gravity (0 g) up to 5 g’s or more, as well as side-loads, vibrations, shocks, etc. Furthermore, the main vehicle propellants utilized are cryogenic liquids (liquid oxygen and liquid methane) with mass flow rates upwards of 100s of kg/s, which need to be delivered continuously at a steady pace without disturbances to the main engine turbopump assembly. The vehicle also utilizes several high-pressure systems for propellant pressurization, propellant management, and vehicle attitude control, such as helium and nitrogen pressure vessels at pressures upwards of 300 to 400 bars of pressure.

You would work with the piping and fluidic management of the launch vehicle main cryogenic propellant tanks, as well as for parts of them main engine fed system and vehicle RACS thrusters. This includes creation of P&IDs, development and implementation of fluid management devices, e.g. anti-sloshing systems, anti-vortex systems, etc. You would also be responsible for the selection of valves, sensors, instruments, pipes, connectors, etc., making sure the selection will be compatible with all the rest of the system, the mission scenarios, and load cases of the mission. You would also support the physical integration of the system both on the final vehicle and on the various ground-based tests rigs that are to be developed throughout the course of the vehicle development. Furthermore, the piping/fluidic systems must interface with the main engine and the ground support equipment, which means reading and creating interface specifications to be used by external partners. You should have some relevant industry experience from before, and feel comfortable making fully independent decisions on all matters relating to piping design and vehicle fluidic management.

Your challenges and responsibilities : Independently design complex, reliable, durable, and light-weight cryogenic piping systems from conceptual level to detailed design, for use in a highly stressing and dynamic environment.

Implement fluidic management systems on the vehicle in order to reduce / suppress unwanted liquid sloshing, oscillations, vorticity, backflow, etc.

Select appropriate hardware such as valves, ports, flanges, instruments, pressure vessels, etc. for use in the fluidic systems.

Hands-on support with assembly of piping systems for ground-based test rigs of the prototype fluidic systems.

What you need to be successful : Master’s degree in aerospace engineering or related field.

2 years or more experience of piping engineering or similar, in aerospace sector, preferably for flying vehicles or launch vehicles.

Fluent English

Good knowledge and hands-on experience of thermodynamics and fluid dynamics.

Strong experience with creation of P&IDs and design of piping systems.

Experience with the implementation of standards, preferably ECSS.

Programming skills in e.g. Python / Matlab / Octave, or in a similar high-level language is beneficial.

Experience of propellant management systems (for micro-gravity and hyper-gravity) applied to vehicles, and particularly flying vehicles, spacecrafts, or launch vehicles, is highly beneficial.

Experience with handling cryogenic liquids, e.g. LNG or liquid oxygen, is highly beneficial.

Experience of pipe routing.

Experience using CAD softwares.

Experience with using Ecosimpro is highly beneficial.

Knowledge of thermal analysis is beneficial.

Our working environment : Capable of working in a flexible, open-minded, and multi-cultural environment

Passionate about your work and willing to both teach and learn

Start-up mindset

Creative and with experience in overcoming failure