Senior / Principal Mechanical Engineer – Space Systems

Our client, an innovative NewSpace company developing advanced space hardware, is seeking a Senior or Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead the design and development of critical mechanical systems for next-generation spacecraft and space platforms. This is a hands-on engineering role where you’ll own hardware from initial concept through design, analysis, qualification testing and flight readiness, working alongside multidisciplinary teams in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

Lead the development of mechanical systems, subsystems and components from requirements through to deployment; Design and develop spaceflight hardware including structures, mechanisms, electromechanical systems and thermal hardware; Perform engineering trade studies, calculations and analyses to define optimal technical solutions; Develop qualification and verification plans in accordance with space industry standards; Plan and execute environmental testing, including vibration, shock, thermal and other qualification campaigns; Collaborate closely with electrical, software, systems and manufacturing engineers to ensure successful integration; Support prototype development, hardware testing and iterative design improvements; Drive technical decisions while identifying opportunities to improve product performance, reliability and manufacturability; Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership on complex engineering projects

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or a related discipline; 5+ years of experience for Senior level or 10+ years of experience for Principal level developing mechanical hardware for spacecraft, satellites or aerospace applications; Demonstrated expertise in at least one of the following areas: electromechanical rotary actuators and drive systems, space mechanisms including passive mechanisms, deployable systems, flexures or similar flight hardware, advanced structural and mechanical analysis using ANSYS, Abaqus, NASTRAN or equivalent, including vibration analysis, rigid body dynamics and structural analysis; Experience using CAD software such as Siemens NX, CATIA or SolidWorks; Strong understanding of engineering materials, manufacturing processes and structural analysis; Experience designing hardware for demanding environmental conditions; Excellent communication skills and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary engineering environment

Nice to have

Master’s degree or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or a related field; End-to-end ownership of space hardware across design, analysis, qualification, manufacturing and operations; Experience planning and executing environmental qualification campaigns including vibration, shock, thermal vacuum and other spaceflight testing; Experience working within commercial space or NewSpace organisations

Benefits

Opportunity to develop cutting-edge hardware for next-generation space missions; High levels of technical ownership and responsibility; Collaborative, fast-moving engineering environment; Equity and comprehensive benefits; The chance to make a significant impact on innovative space programmes