Mechanical Design Engineer

MECHANICAL DESIGN ENGINEER - BRUSSELS (BELGIUM) - PERMANENT POSITION

As a Mechanical Design Engineer in the space industry, you will be an integral part of the team responsible for developing advanced mechanical systems that will be used in the exploration of space. Your primary responsibility will be to design, analyze, and validate mechanical components and structures that can withstand the extreme conditions of space.

These components will be a crucial part of spacecraft, satellites, launch vehicles, and payload systems, and must meet strict performance, safety, and reliability standards to ensure mission success.

Your expertise will help ensure that the mechanical systems are not only functional but also optimized for weight, durability, and cost-effectiveness, as every component must meet the specific needs of space missions. You will work closely with engineers from other disciplines, including electrical, systems, and software engineers, to ensure seamless integration of mechanical components within larger spacecraft systems.

In this role, you will also be responsible for testing and validating designs in simulated space conditions, including extreme temperatures, vacuum environments, and high levels of radiation. This means you will play a key role in the entire product lifecycle, from initial concept through prototyping and into full-scale production.

Additionally, you will collaborate with external suppliers and manufacturing teams to ensure the successful fabrication of components, driving quality and efficiency across the development process. Whether you're selecting materials that will endure in the harshness of space or designing mechanisms to protect sensitive systems during launch, your work will be pivotal to advancing space exploration.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design and develop mechanical components, structures, and assemblies for space vehicles, payloads, and spacecraft systems, ensuring they meet mission-specific requirements.
• Perform structural, thermal, and vibration analysis to ensure components can withstand the extreme conditions of space, including vacuum, radiation, and temperature fluctuations.
• Use advanced CAD tools (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks, or NX) to create 3D models and detailed mechanical drawings for fabrication and assembly.
• Evaluate and select appropriate materials for aerospace applications, ensuring they meet mechanical, thermal, and environmental criteria for space missions.
• Design and conduct tests, including stress testing, fatigue testing, and thermal cycling, to validate designs under real-world space conditions.
• Ensure designs are compliant with industry standards (e.g., NASA, ESA) and space mission requirements for materials and manufacturing processes.
• Work closely with electrical, software, and systems engineering teams to integrate mechanical designs with other spacecraft subsystems, ensuring smooth coordination.
• Support the integration of mechanical components into full system assemblies, ensuring functionality, manufacturability, and testability.
• Conduct system-level analysis and simulations to verify that the mechanical systems will operate effectively within the broader spacecraft systems.
• Create prototypes and oversee the production process of mechanical parts and assemblies, ensuring they meet design specifications.
• Support manufacturing teams in the fabrication, assembly, and testing of mechanical components, providing guidance on tolerances and quality control.
• Work with suppliers and manufacturers to ensure the sourcing of high-quality components and to resolve production issues.
• Develop detailed testing protocols and participate in hands-on testing of spacecraft hardware, including vibration testing, thermal cycling, and pressure testing.
• Review test results, identify design issues, and iterate on designs to ensure the mechanical systems perform reliably in the space environment.
• Analyze failure modes and implement corrective actions to improve the overall system reliability and mission success.
• Prepare and maintain detailed design documentation, including technical drawings, specifications, and reports.
• Document design processes, test results, and lessons learned, ensuring that all systems and components meet the required standards.
• Provide technical reports to stakeholders, including management, clients, and regulatory bodies, ensuring transparency and compliance with project milestones.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in mechanical design, preferably in the space, aerospace, or defense industries.
• Experience with structural, thermal, and vibration analysis for space applications.
• Familiarity with spacecraft mechanical systems, launch vehicle components, or satellite systems is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks, or NX) for designing mechanical components and assemblies.
• Strong understanding of mechanical engineering principles, including material science, thermodynamics, and structural analysis.
• Experience with simulation and analysis tools (e.g., ANSYS, Abaqus) for stress, thermal, and vibration analysis.
• Familiarity with aerospace manufacturing processes and materials, including composite materials, alloys, and specialized manufacturing techniques.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with the ability to think critically and creatively.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.
• Detail-oriented with a focus on quality and safety in design and testing.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with space industry standards such as NASA, ESA, or similar space agencies.
• Knowledge of spacecraft environmental testing procedures (vibration, thermal, vacuum testing).
• Familiarity with space mission planning, including launch environments and payload requirements.
• Experience with Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles in the context of aerospace components.

THE OFFER:

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Opportunities for professional growth and career advancement in a dynamic and collaborative environment

Please send over your CV to tom.walker@vividresourcing.com or call me on +32 (0) 3 318 00 74. As always, we are open to recommendations, so please feel free to pass this on to other suitable candidates.