Opportunities to work in Scotland’s space sector prove hotly contested, with over 2,000 applications received.
Scotland-based orbital launch services company, Orbex, has reported a 120% increase in applications for its Internship Programme this year, reflecting a growing appetite from students to be part of Orbex’s journey to launch.
The programme, open to undergraduate and postgraduate students with experience in mathematics, mechanical engineering, electronics engineering, space, or aerospace, saw application numbers rise from 899 to almost 2,000 this year.
Applications have now closed for this year but Orbex will offer nine lucky applicants the unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in roles spanning diverse areas of the business, including Assembly, Integration and Test (AIT), Software, Legal, Avionics, Ground Segment Software and Structures. Orbex’s Mechanical Engineering internship proved the hottest position up for grabs, receiving 500 applications alone.
Ishbel Inkster, Chief People Officer at Orbex, commented: “This is a very exciting time to join our team as we enter the final stages of developing our Prime rocket. The interns we select for our 25-26 programme will support our team of experts working towards Orbex Prime’s inaugural launch. The level of interest in our internship programme this year is unprecedented, highlighting just how exciting the sector has become.”
Matt Archer, Director of Launch at the UK Space Agency, said: “The strong interest in Orbex’s internship programme speaks volumes about the exciting opportunities we’re creating in the UK space sector. Orbex is playing a key role in developing the skills and talent of the future, and this surge in applications shows just how much young people want to be part of that journey. Congratulations to the nine successful interns, and good luck to all those looking to make their first steps into a career in space.”
