Senior Mechanisms Engineer

Senior Mechanisms Engineer

Our Client is an innovative startup operating within the NewSpace industry, specialising in developing cutting-edge power systems for commercial Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. Their focus spans from solar array power conversion to advanced battery energy storage solutions. The company is renowned for designing, building, and testing hardware in-house, enabling rapid development from concept through to flight hardware. Emphasising a collaborative and hands-on culture, they empower engineers with full ownership of their subsystems and foster a supportive environment where growth, innovation, and excellence are at the core. Working with a highly talented, international team, employees enjoy opportunities for professional development, involvement in impactful projects, and the chance to shape the future of space exploration.

Role Summary:

Due to strategic growth, our Client is seeking a Senior Mechanisms Engineer to lead the design and development of deployment and actuation mechanisms critical for their next-generation ultra-lightweight deployable structures. This role is highly strategic, offering the chance to influence and contribute to pioneering space hardware. The successful candidate will oversee the entire product lifecycle-concept through to production-collaborating with a team that includes former SpaceX engineers. This is an exceptional opportunity to be at the forefront of space innovation, work on high-profile projects, and develop robust, flight-proven mechanisms that meet stringent reliability and mass requirements.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the design, development, and qualification of deployment mechanisms, hinges, latches, gear trains, and actuators for lightweight structural applications.
• Conduct comprehensive analyses (kinematics, load paths, friction, backlash, tolerances) throughout different stages of the mechanism lifecycle.
• Engage hands-on with hardware assembly, perform testing such as deployment cycles, vacuum, thermal, and cycling tests.
• Collaborate across teams to ensure mechanisms meet strict mass, reliability, launch load, and orbital environment specifications.
• Establish and execute integration, verification, and validation plans at both mechanism and system levels.
• Mentor junior engineers, promote best design practices, and serve as a technical authority within the engineering team.

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years’ direct experience designing moving mechanisms, including deployables, gearboxes, actuators, or precision linkages, in aerospace, automotive, robotics, or similarly demanding sectors.
• Experience leading multiple full development projects from initial concept to operational systems.
• Strong expertise in gear trains, spring-driven or motor-driven deployment systems, or precision kinematic mechanisms.
• Proficiency with CAD tools such as CATIA or Siemens NX, and experience in motion/kinematic simulations.
• Practical knowledge of hand calculations for mechanism validation and analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver reliable mechanisms suitable for harsh and high-consequence environments.
• A proactive, analytical mindset coupled with excellent interpersonal skills and curiosity.
• Autonomous working style with full responsibility for significant parts of the product.
• Proven track record of mentoring and providing technical leadership on mechanism design.

Desirable Skills & Experience:

• Experience working in a space-focused environment, particularly in satellite or launcher applications.
• Familiarity with testing standards and qualification processes for aerospace hardware.
• Knowledge of manufacturing and assembly processes relating to mechanisms.
• Additional languages would be an advantage but are not essential.

If you meet the criteria and are excited about contributing to innovative space systems, we invite you to submit your CV. This is a unique opportunity to be part of a dynamic team pushing the boundaries of space technology. We look forward to reviewing your application and exploring the potential synergy.