Fluids Engineering Intern, Spring 2025

Orbit Fab's mission is to create the foundational infrastructure that will fuel a bustling in-space economy, capable of sustaining permanent jobs in space. Today, satellites cannot be refueled, which severely constrains their mobility and inhibits the development of economic activities in space.
Orbit Fab breaks the single-use paradigm, pioneering our Gas Stations in Space™ refueling infrastructure and RAFTI™ technology to deliver propellant in space, enabling lower-cost satellite construction, increased maneuverability, precise control, and extended lifespans. The possibilities are unprecedented, opening the doors to unimagined operational strategies and business models.
Since our establishment in 2018, we have already achieved the successful launch of three tankers to space. With offices in both the US and UK, we are working in close collaboration with partners and customers across the space industry. Orbit Fab is rapidly ramping up capabilities and requires exceptional talent to tackle important challenges. Our roles offer wide ranging opportunities to have a demonstrable impact and enable a bustling space economy.
Role
We are looking for a Fluids Engineer to join Orbit Fab for our Spring 2025 Internship Cycle in Lafayette, CO. You will work on completing a fluids test lab that will be used to test a satellite breadboard (Flatsat) that will be used to validate the design for one of our upcoming refueling missions. This project includes opportunities to work with and build fluids, data acquisition, and control systems as well as operate those systems to acquire valuable test data. This is a great opportunity to get your hands dirty and build something that will directly impact the success of an upcoming mission to demonstrate Gas Stations in Space™.
Responsibilities

• Fabricate tubing for test stand water, vacuum, and inert gas systems
• Build the sensor interface for the test stand Data Acquisition System (DAQ)
• Troubleshoot issues such as leaks, EMI, dead sensors, mis-wiring, etc.
• General construction tasks associated with test stand structures such as welding, cutting, drilling, tapping, assembly of components, etc.
• Assist with test stand operations
• Analyze test data to verify flight satellite design

Qualifications

• You are currently pursuing or have recently acquired a B.S. or M.S. in a technical discipline especially in Aerospace, Mechanical or Chemical Engineering.
• You have extensive experience working with your hands. Examples include:
• building personal projects
• working with a student club like Formula SAE, a rocket team, or a robotics team
• working construction or home improvement
• working on your car
• any other activities where you had to get hands-on and solve problems associated with making things, especially if you were involved in the design of said things
• You have competency with hand tools such as power drills, saws, wrenches, levels, etc.
• You can work independently on a project with minimal starting information
• You share our appreciation for a diversity of thoughts, backgrounds and experiences, helping us all learn from each other and make smarter decisions.
• Able to work in-person 40hrs/week for a full-time Co-Op in Colorado Denver-area.

Nice To Have's

• Any work on liquid or hybrid rocket propulsion build and test (Specifically, knowledge of fittings and tube routing and reading P&IDs)
• Work on Data Acquisition systems where you had to gather data from multiple sources at once and send commands to actuators or valves
• You have worked with DeweSoft (Hardware as well as the DeweSoftX software)
• Experience with industrial controls such as PLCs and motor drivers using Modbus
• Competency with MIG welding
• Any prior work that involved electronics and required troubleshooting skills such as theater tech (lights or sound), IT, or robotics

The estimated pay for this position is $25-30/hr.
This position is a hybrid work model, requiring time both in our Lafayette, CO office and remotely.
Research shows that while men apply to jobs where they meet an average of 60% of the criteria, women and other marginalized people tend to only apply when they meet 100% of the qualifications. At Orbit Fab, we value respectful debate and people who aren't afraid to challenge assumptions. We strongly encourage you to apply if you feel you would succeed in the role above.
Location and Benefits
Orbit Fab is based out of Lafayette, Colorado and all roles are based in Colorado. We offer fully covered benefits, discretionary time off, and flexible work hours.
Eligibility
Some job roles may be limited to US Persons (22 CFR 120.62 "U.S. person").
Orbit Fab Inc does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.