Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Space Propulsion | France

iO Associates is partnering with an innovative space technology company that is transforming propulsion for nano and microsatellites.

Following a successful first in-orbit demonstration in 2025, the business is entering an exciting scale-up phase. With ambitious production targets of one propulsion unit per month from 2026, increasing to 50 units annually by 2028 and 200 units per year within the following five years, they are looking for a talented Mechanical CAD Designer to strengthen their Mechanical & Thermal Engineering team.

This is a rare opportunity to play a key role in the development of cutting-edge propulsion technology and contribute directly to the future of space exploration and satellite mobility.

The Opportunity

As a Mechanical CAD Designer, you will join a highly collaborative engineering team, working closely with specialists across Propulsion, Avionics, Mechanical and Thermal Engineering.

You will take ownership of mechanical design activities throughout the product lifecycle, from initial concept development and architecture definition through to manufacturing, testing and qualification.

Key Responsibilities

Mechanical Design & Development

• Design innovative mechanical architectures with a focus on weight reduction, compact packaging, structural integrity, thermal performance and manufacturability.
• Produce detailed 3D models for components, assemblies, propulsion systems and supporting tooling.
• Select suitable materials and manufacturing methods while accounting for packaging and integration constraints.
• Support product industrialisation, working closely with suppliers and manufacturing partners.
• Participate in prototyping, assembly, integration and environmental test campaigns.

Analysis & Validation

• Ensure designs meet performance requirements, including mechanical loading, dimensional tolerances and thermal constraints.
• Collaborate with simulation and analysis engineers on vibration, structural and thermal assessments.
• Contribute to technical reviews, including PDRs and CDRs, presenting and defending design decisions.
• Manage mechanical, electrical and thermal interfaces, identifying and resolving integration challenges early in the design process.

Engineering Documentation

• Produce and maintain engineering documentation, including manufacturing drawings, bills of materials (BOMs), parts lists and design justifications.
• Document key technical decisions and lessons learned to support knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.
• Maintain configuration control and design traceability through PLM systems.

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Keep up to date with emerging technologies, including additive manufacturing, advanced materials and modern CAD/CAM methodologies.
• Proactively identify opportunities to improve product performance, cost efficiency and manufacturing lead times.

What We’re Looking For

• 10+ years experience in mechanical design, CAD development and technical drawing.
• Proven track record delivering complex mechanical products in a highly regulated engineering environment.
• Advanced CAD expertise, ideally using SolidWorks.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, including CNC machining, welding and surface treatments.
• Experience with PLM systems such as 3DEXPERIENCE, Windchill or Teamcenter.

Background within one or more of the following sectors:

• Space
• Aerospace
• Defence
• Automotive
• Medical Devices

Desirable Experience

• Knowledge of space industry standards and design constraints.
• Experience designing products for confined volumes and harsh thermo-mechanical environments.
• Exposure to additive manufacturing and 3D printing technologies.

Why Join?

• Be part of the team developing one of the most advanced and efficient propulsion technologies ever deployed in orbit.
• Join a high-growth organisation at a pivotal stage of its journey from demonstration to commercial scale production.
• Work alongside passionate experts within a world-class research and innovation ecosystem.
• Enjoy a technically challenging role with real ownership, impact and opportunities for professional development.
• Contribute to technology that will shape the future of the space industry.

Apply

If you’re interested in learning more, please submit your CV. We’ll be in touch to discuss the opportunity and outline the next steps in the process.