Join ORC
ORC is always looking for qualified individuals. We have 31 staff. Not all of them are listed on the website. The ones who are listed have consented. Mostly. If you are reading this page, you are probably the sort of person we are looking for. We cannot confirm this until you apply.
Current open roles
Five positions are currently open. Applications are reviewed by A. Kowalski. A. Kowalski reviews applications in the order received. A. Kowalski is aware of the backlog. A. Kowalski has described the backlog as manageable.
Senior Operative, Grade 2
Responsible for conducting retrieval operations within ORC’s licensed zones. The role involves flying a spacecraft, managing fuel, and completing the associated paperwork. The paperwork takes approximately as long as the mission. L. Sandhu reviews the paperwork. This is not a coincidence.
- ORS Operative Licence (Grade 2 minimum)
- Comfort with regulatory interruptions — they are mandatory and cannot be declined
- Ability to work independently for extended orbital periods
- Not asking about the 2017 object
- Form ORC-088 completed in advance (contact T. Davies for the form)
Retrieval operations: LEO and MEO
3–9 regulatory interruptions per mission
Post-mission debrief with P. Patel
C. Morrison files the report regardless
Familiarity with ORS Form ORC-017C
Proximity operations certification
A working relationship with Form ORC-088
The form is available from T. Davies
OCELOT Systems Engineer
This role has been posted before. OCELOT (Orbital Compliance & Logistics Execution and Tracking) has been offline since 3 August 2023. The successful candidate will be responsible for restoring OCELOT to operational status. This is the primary objective. There is no secondary objective. Note: T. Davies currently holds this role and will remain in post during a handover period of unspecified length. T. Davies is not territorial about this. T. Davies has said so.
- Experience with orbital logistics management systems (OCELOT-specific experience preferred, though limited)
- Demonstrated ability to restore offline systems — please provide examples at interview
- Patience (significant)
- Not telling T. Davies what you think of the current situation
Regulatory Affairs Coordinator
Supporting L. Sandhu in managing ORC’s regulatory compliance obligations under ORS licence ORS/L/2011/0042. The role involves significant correspondence with the Orbital Regulatory Secretariat. The ORS are thorough. L. Sandhu is also thorough. The folder system has its own shelf. The shelf was ordered specifically.
- LLM or equivalent (Space & Orbital Law preferred; general regulatory law considered)
- Experience with sector agreements and zone licensing frameworks
- Familiarity with ORS Form 9-C — specifically, the fax form. Yes. A fax form.
- Comfort with a large folder system. The folders have their own shelf. The shelf has a label.
Mission Report Writer
This is C. Morrison’s team. C. Morrison does not technically lead the team as C. Morrison is the only member of the team. C. Morrison is aware of this and finds it manageable. The first draft is always the published draft. Revision is always likely. This is noted in the report. The note is in the first draft.
- Strong writing ability — including in the passive voice, which is required for some reports
- Ability to produce first drafts that are also final drafts
- Familiarity with the ORC report template (C. Morrison will brief; the briefing is thorough)
- Not asking C. Morrison about the 2017 object report
Fleet Maintenance Technician
Supporting S. Okafor in the maintenance and operation of ORC’s four-vehicle fleet. Current priority: ORC-V3 “Marigold.” The scope of Marigold’s current maintenance has expanded on three separate occasions. The candidate will be briefed on the specifics. S. Okafor will do the briefing. S. Okafor will be thorough. S. Okafor will not be emotional about it.
- MEng or equivalent in aerospace or orbital engineering
- Capture system maintenance experience
- Experience with vehicles from 2011 or earlier (“Maud”-specific)
- Not commenting on Marigold’s maintenance timeline to Finance
What working at ORC involves
ORC is a small team doing technically demanding work in a heavily regulated industry with an IT system that has been offline since 2023. We have found ways to operate effectively regardless. Some of these ways involve additional paperwork. L. Sandhu has confirmed the paperwork is compliant.
The missions
ORC has completed 23 retrieval missions since 2011. All have been filed. All reports have been written by C. Morrison. Some have required up to eleven versions of the mission plan, though P. Patel considers this exceptional and prefers not to discuss it.
The regulatory environment
ORC operates under ORS licence ORS/L/2011/0042. This licence has been renewed without incident. L. Sandhu is responsible for renewal. L. Sandhu has never missed a renewal date. L. Sandhu does not intend to. L. Sandhu has a calendar alert set for 18 months in advance.
OCELOT
OCELOT is offline. It has been offline since 3 August 2023. T. Davies is working on it. Most ORC operational functions that OCELOT managed are now handled manually by A. Kowalski. A. Kowalski has not complained. A. Kowalski has been Employee of the Quarter twice since August 2023.
Terms & conditions summary
L. Sandhu has reviewed the following. L. Sandhu has confirmed it is accurate. Finance has also reviewed it. Finance has asked a question about the coffee machine. The question is ongoing.
| Condition | Detail | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Hangar 7, Aeropark Estate, Trevannick, TR8 9ZZ | Remote working considered for non-operational roles. M. Hargreaves has views. |
| Hours | 37.5 per week standard. Mission phases: variable. | Variable means variable. L. Sandhu has noted this clearly. |
| Pension | Workplace pension included. ORC contributes 5%. | Finance reviewed the contribution rate. Finance did not object. |
| Annual leave | 28 days including bank holidays | Mission-critical periods may affect scheduling. L. Sandhu has a policy document. |
| Training | ORS-required training funded by ORC. Internal training available. | Module 7 is the simulation. You can access it now. |
| ORC coffee machine | Available. Ground floor, main building. | T. Davies repaired it in 2021. It is not the same as before. T. Davies is aware. |
| Car parking | Available on site. Permit required. | Permits are issued by A. Kowalski. There is a form. |
| OCELOT access | Not currently available. | OCELOT is offline. T. Davies is working on it. |
The application process
ORC processes applications in the order received. The process has four stages. All four stages involve A. Kowalski. A. Kowalski finds this manageable.
Application received
Complete the form on this page and submit. A. Kowalski will log your application within two working days. OCELOT would normally send an automated confirmation. OCELOT is offline. A. Kowalski will confirm manually instead.
Initial review
A. Kowalski reviews the application against the role requirements. For operational roles, M. Hargreaves is also consulted. For legal roles, L. Sandhu is also consulted. For the OCELOT role, T. Davies has asked to be consulted. T. Davies’s consultation request has been noted.
Interview
Shortlisted candidates are invited to interview at Aeropark Estate. Interviews are conducted by A. Kowalski and one relevant team member. Interviews involve two or three structured questions and a site visit. The site visit includes Hangar 7. You will see Marigold. You are asked not to comment on Marigold.
Offer & onboarding
Successful candidates receive an offer from A. Kowalski. L. Sandhu reviews the offer letter before it is issued. The offer letter contains L. Sandhu’s confirmation that it is not a contract of employment until countersigned. Do not list ORC on your CV until the offer is made. L. Sandhu has asked us to include this note on every page of this site.
Application timeline
All new starters complete ORC’s six-module training programme before operational clearance. Module 7 is the simulation. You can access it now from the navigation.
Access training modulesRoles ORC does not hire for
We receive enquiries about all of the following with some regularity. In each case, the answer is no. In some cases the answer is “no, and please read the website more carefully before enquiring.”
Marketing & communications
ORC does not have a marketing function. ORC has a website. The website is the marketing function. C. Morrison handles external communications as part of the report-writing role. This arrangement is considered sufficient.
Astronaut / crew roles
ORC’s vehicles are uncrewed. The missions are conducted remotely. We receive a significant number of applications from individuals who wish to go to space. We understand the appeal. The vehicles do not have passenger seats.
Sales
ORC does not have a sales team. Clients approach ORC through the contact page or via ORS referral. M. Hargreaves handles initial client discussions. M. Hargreaves does not describe this as sales. M. Hargreaves has views on this.